SYNTHETIC RUBBER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 25 March 1936, Page 9

SYNTHETIC RUBBER

GERMAN SCIENTISTS’ SUCCESS (By Air Mail—From Our Own Correspondent) LONDON, 20 th February. • Herr Hitler himself supports the claim that Germany’s industrial scientists have at last succeeded in producing a satisfactory synthetic rubber. The news will send a mortal pang through the monstrous army of small-liolders in depressed rubber shares. The Germans became experts at orsartz, or the making of artificial substitutes, during the War years. So it may be said that the British Navy was the real inspiration of Germany’s new artificial rubber. This substance, the chief constituents of which arc calcium carbide and coal ' products, is called “Buma,” and has been tested by the German Army. At the Berlin Motor Show tyres made of it are on view which are 6aid to have been driven over 00.000 miles, and show no appreciable signs of wear. Herr Hitler’s claim is that “Buma” is from 10 to 30 per cent, more durable than real rubber. But it is also at present much dearer. Therein perhaps may rest the salvation of our hard-hit rubber industry.