Evening star., 1941-09-16
The Political Mill
Synthetic Rubber Production Of U. S. Forecast
At Above Germony's by End Of Next Year
BY GOULD LINCOLN.


Rubber in times of peace is
no particular problem to Ameri-
can industry. Natural rubber has
been obtainable in the huge
quantities needed. Rubber in war
times, however, presents differ
ent picture, for natural rubber
is an import. Both the Govern
ment and American industry
have recognized the problem that
may be presented. The Rubber
Reserve Co, a Government
agency, was set up by the Recon-
struction Finance Corp. in June
last year to acquire a reserve
supply of rubber in connection
with the national defense pro-
gram. Industry has given more
and more study to the produc-
ton of synthetic rubbers.
E. R. BridgeWater, manager of
the rubber chemicals division
of the E. 1. du Pont de Nemours
& Co., in most Informative ad-
dress recently given before the
American Chemical Society, has
outlined the steps which already
have been taken to develop syn
thetic rubbers and those which
are proposed, and discussed the
value of these synthetic rubbers
for use in industry as compared
to natural rubber. He painted a
picture Of development in recent
years and of far greater de-
velopment in the immediate fu-
ture. He spoke particularly Of
three types of synthetics-neo-
prene types. butadiene types and
polysulfide rubbers.
Production Stepped Up.
In 1889, American production
was 1850 long tons of neoprene
types, none of the butadiene
types and 500 of the polysulfide
rubbers. The estimated produc-
ton for 194l is $500 long tons
of the first type, 1000 of the
second and 1,400 of the third.
This will be only Is per cent of
the total consumption in this
country of crude rubber.
The future, however. looks
much brighter Mr.. Bridgewater
said.
"All manufacturers of syn
thetic rubbers have under con-
struction additions to their plant
facilities and by the end of next
year We expect to have in this
country capacity for producing
about 1000 long tons a month
Of neoprene and 900 long tons
a month of butadiene rub
bers, all provided by privately
financed enterprises. In addi-
ton, there will be four plants
for making the butadiene-styrene
interpolymer, owned by and op-
Grated for the account of the
Government, having a combined
capacity of $500 tons a month.
Hence We will have by. the end
of next year capacity for pro-
ducing a total Of about $500 long
tons month of these general
purpose synthetic rubbers, which
we believe is considerably greater
than Germany's synthetic rubber
capacity"
Mr.. Bridgewater pointed out
that these figures do not in
clude the polysulfide rubbers,
which would be of great value in
an emergency and for which
plants for production can be built
more quickly AND at lower cost.
Sees Priority Possibility.
"All in all, it appears that by
the end Of next year our position
will be reasonably well secured,
although it is obvious that We
would have to dispense with rub
Der and synthetic rubbers for all
but the most essential needs if
imports of natural rubber should
abruptly cease" he said.
The first question a layman
asks about synthetic rubber is:
rs it satisfactory for tires" ac-
cording to Mr.. Bridgewater. He
answered the question largely in
the affirmative, depending upon
the use automobile owners make