Document zozOQkOD7yBKeygVeyYY5nzVg

AH flfWWll nAUWiUt 9 - *> Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc (POUNDED 1872) 1625 Bye Stbebt, N. W. Washington 6, D. C MINUTES OF MEETING PLASTICS COMMITTEE New York City, Manhattan Club December 16, 1957 PRESENT: Messrs. ABS.T: Messrs. R. K, Mueller, Monsanto Chemical Company Bjorn Andersen, Celanese Corporation of America D. S. Frederick, Rohm & Haas Company R. A. Hoekelman, American Cyanamld Company H. R, Thies, Goodyear Tire Sc Rubber Company R. K. Turner, Bakelite Company (Luncheon Only) J. D. Wright, Canadian Industries Limited C. W. Blount, Bakelite Company R. L. Cammann, Allied Chemical St Dye Corp. (For T, J. Kinseila) E. S, Ebers, United States Rubber Co. (For G, R. Vila) H, W. Kohrroan, Monsanto Chemical Company W. H, Salzenberg, E, I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. B. J. C. van der Hoeven, Koppers Company, Inc, R. C. Weigel, E. I. du Pbnt de Nemours Sc Co, F. H. Carman, MCA Staff C. B, Branch, The Dow Chemical Company A. R, Marusi, The Borden Company George Wash, Phillips Chemical Company 4 ) 1 F.IHINS PROGRAM As directed in the last meeting, a one-page progress report (a conden sation of that circulated to this Committee) of the MCA Plastics in Building was supplied Chairman R. K. Mueller and distributed by him to the t?. Beard in their meeting October 31* He had nothing further to report at time. details of a plastics in building program have now been considered and proved by the Plastics in Building and Code Committee and copies sent to '** group. Briefly, this includes continued work with building code authorties, and an effort to initiate better communication and understanding utveet the plastics and the building industries. To achieve the latter, a 'i \ 4 CMA 078310 -2 1 series of technical pamphlets, and a meeting of plastics industry represent atives to hear building industry men describe their practices and attitudes of 1 eir industry are being considered. No formal program is yet ready for pres entation. Work is being continued on flammable testing and close liaison is being maintained with fire protection groups as well as with the SFI. Because of recent actions by the Building Officials Conference of America (BOCA) inter preting their existing code to permit the use of plastics, it was agreed with the SPI that the changes previously recommended for change in their code should be withdrawn. REPORT ON FINANCIAL PACKAGE A report showing receipts to date together with expenditures for the first six months of the fiscal year was submitted. Three companies had not yet contributed to the Plastics Financial Pack age for the current year; the Committee recommended they be approached again by the Secretary to determine if they want to continue participation in these programs. PIASTICS RESEARCH Hr. H. W, Mohrman, Chairman of the Technical Subcommittee, was then ashed to report the recommendations resulting from a thorough review of the ATT research project on November 5, 1957* The project on fundamental research, sponsored by the Plastics Group since Eecember 19U5, is currently financed at a rate of $29,000 a year with a total financing through June 30, 1957 of $303,778.65. Mr. Mohrman's report, which is explained in detail in the Liaison Subcommittee report to the Techr.icil Group on November 5, 1957 (see Appendix), emphasized that the Technical Gomittee has concluded that the MIT research project has been successful in attaining the stated objectives and that it would be proper now to "taper" the financial support at MIT, making such funds available to other scr.ools or comparable institutions for similar work. Following discussion, it was the consensus that appropriation for such f-r.is by the Plastics Group is now taking on a new aspect in that it appeared '-5 & stressing the educational side. Comment was made tnat it might be 4?rropriate to review such financing for plastics research now being provided r-arner companies on an individual basis. ir*e recommendation that MCA re-examine the need for continuing to put L"3 "seed money" into substantial research at MIT wa3 discussed at it being stressed that the Technical Group felt that limited finane- *16,COO probably tapering to $5,000, should be continued at KIT in order *- "amtain contacts with that Institution. On the recommendation that a established to explore possibilities of starting new cells of research at other Institutions with continuing some support to the tics Laboratory, a motion was made and duly seconded that the *cn..ical Subcommittee, through appropriate committees as recommended in rt>- St be authorized to taper off support at MIT, in accordance tie bast judgment of that group, from $25,000 to a lesser amount over CMA 078311 -3 - riod of time deemed appropriate. This was passed unanimously. Also, on motion duly seconded, the Technical Subcommittee was author ized to contact other Institutions in the U, S. A. and Canada to determine what type of program, along the lines of establishing new cells on plastics research, could be established. This was passed unanimously. So that the Committee would be better advised of the extent of private investment in such research in schools, etc., it was unanimously recommended by the Plastics Committee that KCA canvass its membership on a confidential basis to determine how much is being expended on these research grants at this time. SOCIETY OP THE PLASTICS ENGINEERS -- PLASTICS INSTITUTE Since the last Committee meeting, the Secretary has met informally with officers of the SPE to become better advised of their plans to set up a Plastics Institute and recently was an observer in a meeting of the SH In stitute Committee, A listing of the Society*s Plastics Institute Committee and certain officers was given those present. The SFE is investigating the feasibility of setting up an Institute, along the lines of similar undertakings by industries here and abroad; it would be devoted mainly to fundamental research, education, and dissemina tion of information in the plastics field. No plans have been finalized; however, it appears that they would establish such an Institute in connection '" a college or university so that postgraduate work could be undertaken. f SF Group is now considering location and affiliation, methods of fl ing and support that could be obtained, and general organization for direction of the work. It appears that financial support would be expected largely from material suppliers and fabricators, and perhaps lesser amounts from equipment manufacturers and consuming industries. Methods of assessment have not been worked out. No formal request for support or endorsement has been made to MCA, but this could be forthcoming in the future* It was the consensus that MCA at this time could neither take a position in favor of or in opposition to such an undertaking. It is understood the Washington office will consider vhct policy could be taken on such a matter. SSI MEETING The next meeting of the Plastics Committee is tentatively scheduled far February 1* at the Manhattan Club, Respectfully submitted, *** Marx Leva ; c*3 F. H. Carman