264 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[February 1, 1914. 



Some Rubber Interests in Europe. 



SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS CO.. LTD. 



THE recent meeting of the Synthetic Products Co., London 

 ( under the presidency of Mr. P. B. Rackett. chairman of the 

 company), was marked liy various interesting statements as 

 to its condition and prospects. It will be recalled that at the 

 time it was started a conservative policy was decided on, and 

 was carried out by the erection of a small plant at Rainham, 

 Kent, where the possibilities of the commercial preparation of 

 acetone and fusel oil were tested. 



In the interim report of June 21, 1913, the directors were in 

 a position to state that trials on an extensive basis of acetone 

 and fusel oil, contemplated by the original prospectus, had pro- 

 duced results more satisfactory than had been looked for, fer- 

 luentation on a large scale taking only one-fourth of the time 

 occupied in trials on a smaller scale. At the same time, they 

 were able to report having leased (with right of extending 

 term to 56 years) dock-side land and premises at King's Lynn. 

 Norfolk. They had also secured a large factory (previously 

 used as an oil mill), which, as well as a numlier of warehouses, 

 had been equipped for the comjiany's business. So far 24 

 enameled fermentation tanks, each of 4,0(X) gallons capacity, have 

 been provided, of which the lirst six were placed in operation 

 during November last. Thus, within about four months after 

 beginning work, fermentations on a commercial scale were being 

 carried out, with results better than those of laboratory practice ; 

 and further important economies are looked for in the future 

 manufacture of acetone and fusel oil. 



.•\mong the other advantages of the King's Lynn site is its 

 proximity to the sources of supply of potatoes (largely used in 

 the company's products), mangel wurzel and sugar beets, which 

 are grown in Norfolk. Moreover, the site is remarkably con- 

 venient for drawing from the Baltic ports the sawdust which 

 might ultimately be used in the company's processes. It is also 

 a suitable point for exports of the products to be manufactured. 



.-^VXTIIF.TIC Rur.r.ER. 



.■\ small plant being now in operation, it is expected to produce 

 sufficient rubber for practical tests. So far the quality turned 

 out has been satisfactory. It is hoped to issue by the middle 

 of this year an interim report upon the mechanical tests of 

 synthetic rubber, which are apparently the only ones that man- 

 ufacturers will consider, good lasting qualities being an essential 

 requirement. 



In seconding the adoption of tlie re])nrt. Sir William Ramsay 

 emphasized the policy of the company in testing everything on 

 a snlall scale before going further, thus saving alterations and 

 consequent expense. He considered it would be inadvisable to put 

 up a large factory, in advance of being certain as to the points 

 before them. A unit has been produced which works well, and 

 it will be multiplied until, say, 60 pounds of rubber a week are 

 produced for testing purposes. Results so far have surpassed 

 expectations. 



In reply to a shareholder, the chairman said that about £20,000 

 would be in hand after erecting the plant at the present works, 

 which would carry on the company for several years. 



CRUDE RUBBER WASHING CO.. LTD., LONDON. 



In addressing the third annual general meeting of the above 

 company, the chairtuan, Mr. .Alfred Armitage, lately stated that 

 in the revaluation of the assets, the freehold property had been 

 written down about 50 i)er cent. The company had. it found, 

 been infringing certain rubl)er- washing patents, and under legal 

 advice ceased to do so. A large stock of old rubljer had been 

 sold since the last meeting. Other items of assets were in 

 course i>f li(|uidation. 



Regarding the future prospects of the company, a certain 

 quantity of rubber is being washed and dried but, naturally, 

 without a large prolit. A mixing plant has been installed, 

 which is sui)i)lying compounds to a good many English motor 

 firms. In furtherance of the policy of manufacturing some 

 I'mished article, the production of a cab lire was begun, which 

 has been largely taken up for jinrickishas. The report stated 

 that the company, after many vicissitudes, is now starting on a 

 sound business career. 



THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL RUBBER AND ALLIED INDUSTRIES 

 EXHIBITION. LONDON. li<14. 



Official recognition has been given the l^'ourtb International 

 Rubber and Allied Industries Kxhibition — to be held in London 

 next June — by the Syndicale Chamber of Rubber Manufacturers 

 of Paris, thus completing the list of important associations in 

 all parts of the world in any way connected with the rubber 

 industry that have accorded recognition to this exhibition. This 

 list includes : The Rubber Growers' .Association of London ; the 

 Planters' Associations of Ceylon, Indo-China, British Malaya, 

 Malacca, Johore, Southern India and Java; the Rubber Associa- 

 tion of Holland ( .\nisterdam ) : the Cotrmiercial Associations of 

 Para and .'Xmazcnas, the Republic of Peru and other pro- 

 ducing countries ; the Rubber Manufacturers' Associations of 

 France, Germany, Austria and Belgium ; the Rubber Club of 

 America and all the important e.xhibition associations in all 

 parts of the world. Every important producing country is ex- 

 pected to be officially represented at this exhibition. 



NEW ENGLISH RUBBER FACTORIES IN 1913. 



, Among the English factory extensions during 1913 were the 

 new works of the Leyland & Birmingham Co., at Leyland, and 

 additions to the Stirchley plant of the Capon-Heaton Co. An 

 extensive factory is being constructed at Southampton for Messrs. 

 Pirelli & Co.. while Rubastic. Ltd.. has erected a factory at 

 Southall. A new waterproofing plant has been installed by 

 Messrs. A. O. Ferguson & Co. at HoUinwood, Manchester. Other 

 new factories included the works of T. Dowler & Co., Broad- 

 heath; Laughton & Son. Droylsden. and the Swan Rubber Co., 

 Stockport. 



NEW SCOTTISH RUbBEK COMPANIES. 



Five new rubber companies were registered in Scutlaml during 

 1913; the total capital being equal to $642,500. In 1912 ten coni- 

 [lanies were established, the combined capital of which equalled 

 $1,592,500. 



MR. H. A. SCHMIDT WITH R. HUNTER CRAIG & CO. 

 Mr. H. .A. Schmidt, fur many \ears associated with the firm 

 of A. H. Alden & Co., Limited, has assumed the management of 

 the ruliber department of R. Hunter Craig & Co., Limited, whose 

 headquarters are at 7 London street, Mark Lane, London, with 

 branches at Glasgow, Liverpool. Dublin, Belfast and Cork. 



REDUCED FREIGHT ON RUBBER. 



Advices from London state that the Eastern steamer lines 

 have reduced the freight on plantation rubber from 76s. ($18.50) 

 to 65s. ($16.00) per ton of 50 cubic feet; this being the rate from 

 Port Swettenham to London. In connection with the reported 

 intention of the steam companies to improve their Eastern serv- 

 ice, further reductions are exi)ected in the immediate future. 



C. Hirch & Co., rubber brokers, ol London, E. C, announce a 

 change of address, being now locate at 21, Mincing Lane. 



The Rubber Growers' .Association, of London, announces a 

 change in its address, which is now 38 Eastchcap, London, E. C. 



