WAR MATERIALS FOR U.S.

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23536, 14 January 1942, Page 5

WAR MATERIALS FOR U.S.

SYNTHETIC RUBBER OUTPUT 400,000 TONS A YEAR TO BE PRODUCED (Received January 13, 8 p.m.) WASHINGTON,’ January 12. Mr Roosevelt authorised the immediate execution of a 400,000,000 dollar programme to make 400,000 tons of synthetic rubber a year. It is estimated that plants will be ready by the middle of 1943, and together with the available rubbar they would fill all military needs and a part of civilian requirements. Meanwhile, there is enough rubber to meet all essential needs until the scheme for producing synthetic rubber is completed. The financial expert of the New York Times” states that the entire rubber needs of the United States could be met through the construction of synthetic rubber plants at a cost of 500.000,000 dollars. Buna, it is stated, could be produced at a cost of 25 cents per lb, which compares favourably with the present price of crude rubber (23 cents). The expert points out that crude oil and natural gas, the basic raw materials needed for the manufacture of synthetic rubber, are found in the United States abundantly, and the amount which could be produced is a matter solely of plant expansion. He declares that sufficient plants could be built in the United States this year to supply the country’s needs of approximately 720,000 tons.