Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-04-06
DU POINT DYE PLANT
IN MOTION PICTURES
Works at Deep Water Point Are
Given in Screen Exhibition
at Playhouse.

Du Pont employees and invited guests
had an opportunity yesterday afternoon
of attending the first showing in TINS
city of the motion picture film portray
ing the great dye works of the du Pont
Company at Deepwater Point. The ex-
hibition was given in The Playhouse at
o'clock The picture was introduced
by DR.. X. E Rose. director of the tech
nical laboratory at the plant. who
pointed out some of the important de-
tails of the works and slxetched briefly
the importance of the dyestuffS manu-
featuring business to the country's de-
fence and its commercial independence.
The close relation between n dyes
manufacturing plant and the produc-
tion of materials for poison gases and
high explosives, as shown in the late
war. has opened the eyes of the country
to the absolute necessity for the estab-
lishment of n dyestuffs manufacturing
business as matter of national protec-
ton.
As has been pointed out chemical
warfare viii dominate in the next great
conflict. and that country which has
not a sound and well established dye
stufs manufacturing business where
plants can be turned overnight into the
production of chemical munitions of
war. will find itself at the mercy of an
unscrupulous foe who is thus prepared.
Recognizing this, England has estab-
lished practical embargo for ten years
on all dyes made abroad and has thus
insured the development of her own
dyestuffs manufacturing business with
ell that implies in the production of ma
terials which can be instantly used for
defence and in the training of a com
fa nf zfy{
workmen whose services will be in
valuable in times OF national danger
The film shown yesterday pictured
forcibly the size and facilities of this
great dyes plant which Wilmington has
AZ her very doors. The plant covers
more than two square miles and en-
ploys at full capacity approximately
$500 persons. 1t has approximately 16O
buildings. Il is especially we'll equipped
IN research and technical laboratory
facilities. having no less than 46 differ
ent laboratories in the research area
where chemists are constantly search
Ing out new and better dyes and proc
esses. In connection with the research
area there are important senni-works
which have complete units where the
laboratory problems are worked out on
manufacturing scale in a small wav
subsequently being passed on TO the
large plant for quantity production.
The indigo plant at the du Pont dye
works is one of the largest in the world
and the success of the du Points in maxi
ing the highest grade of indigo is well
known.
The motion picture gives ample
views OF the indigo manufacturing
area. showing inside and outside
80 ~
tenn OF chemical analysis. which guar
antees quality OF the product; and the
various methods of shipping the
finished goods. It also gives a splen
did opportunity TO observe the various
great areas of these works
Views are shown not only OF the
indigo plant, but also of the section OF
the works devoted 10 manufacturing
intermediates and TO fhe manufacture
Of sulphur. vat. azo and basic colors.
The sulphuric acid plant. the power
area and the great storage facilities are
among the features also pictured
One of the most interesting parts Of
the film is that showing the large tech
nical laboratory. where a personnel Of
100 chemists and dyers study the dye
Ing problems of the textile, leather.
paper and other trades by actually
>. these
men, so important to consumers. is
clearly portrayed in various views
which depict the matching of colors on
textile goods. the making and dyeing Of
paper and paper pulp, and the dyeing
Of textile fabrics.
The dyestuff manufacturer knows
but few other people realize that every
batch Of dyestuf that comes from the
plant, whether Of a recently introduced
color or one that has been produced
for years, has TO be tested for shade.
strength. solubility and other prop
critics: that is, II is stande rdized-tested
against a sample Of the color that has
been chosen as satisfactory. II must
come up 10 this standard in every re-
spect before It is allowed TO go out 70
the consumer. This standardizing ia
carried out by the technical laboratory.
The function Of the technical labora-
tory which is most familiar to the users
Of dyestufTs is the service given the
consumer in working out his coloring
problems. When the consumer wishes
10 produce particular shades on his
goods in various stages of manufac-
ture. the technical laboratory matches
these, doing the dyeing on a dyeing
machine which is a model Of his own
factory equipment. The results OF ex-
periments are submitted 10 the con-
sumer for his use.
AS each dyestuff has peculiarities
all its own. in application as well as
fastness properties. il follows that the
personnel of a technical laboratory, to
carry on such work as just mentioned,
must consist of men OF long experience
in specific Industries in which dye /
stuffs are used
Other parts OF the picture show the
facilities Of this plant for shipping
goods abroad. Scenes are shown de-
picting the care taken TO prepare
goods for shipment abroad so that the
packages will be absolutely tight and
able TO be easily handled Views also
show how the various sections of the
plant are connected by a network Of
roads and narrow-gua tracks, giving
every facility for handling materials
within the works and, after manufac-