CHEM-TEXTS
Page 2 | Vol. 13, 1979
Editorial . . .
As many of you already know, this is our 75th year as a Chemical Plant as well as a Chemical Company. Today we can be proud of the fact that virtually every automobile and truck tire on the road contains one of the rubber chemicals manufactured in our plant. Our Agricultural Chemicals are used throughout the U.S. and the world to protect cotton, fruit, and other valuable food crops against disease and devastating insects. This enables farmers and growers to increase the yields of their land.
We are very grateful to both present and past employees who made this occasion possible through their achievements. We now have an even greater responsibility in performing our jobs. Our dedication and efforts must make our jobs more meaningful, secure, and safe not only for ourselves but also for those who will follow us.
Through the skills, spirit, and professional excellence that you demonstrated in 1979, the foundation has been built for even greater achievements in the future.
I wish to thank each and every one of you for making the celebration of our 75th Anniversary such a memorable and successful day. It was evidence of the good spirit that makes our plant an excellent place to be.
Eric Johnson
Factory Manager
Plant’s Chemical Waste Program Saves $94,000
by Ron Lak
During the 1st and 2nd quarter of 1979, the Synthetic Pilot Plant eliminated two major hazardous waste streams, while at the same time recovering the raw materials. In addition, plans are being finalized to reduce Naugard 445 still bottom waste from FOC.
Altogether the program has resulted in savings of $94,000.
Waste Hexane cement, generated at approximately 20,000 gallons annually, now is reprocessed, saving both the Hexane cost ($13,000), and the disposal costs ($4,000).
The waste “HST”, generated while sampling Polywets, was eliminated by the installation of sample recirculation pumps. These pumps allow the operators to remove only as much product from the batch as needed for testing. This particular waste was corrosive, toxic, and flammable, posing special disposal and handling problems. Approximately 3,500 gallons of this waste was produced annually, costing $5,000 to dispose of properly.
Work is almost completed on the blending of Naugard 445 still bottom waste into BLE. If successful, 100,000 lbs. of Naugard 445 still bottom, representing a disposal cost saving of $5,000, will be eliminated annually. In addition, yield increases in BLE will result in a $55,000 raw material and variable conversion credit.
Another area where steps are being taken to reduce our hazardous waste disposal cost is rejected materials. 25,000 lbs. of rejected RF-75 was resampled and sold to customers for $5,000, eliminating a disposal charge of $3,000. An additional 43,500 lbs. of rejected RF-75 is presently being resampled, awaiting customer approval. If approved, $4,000 in disposal costs could be eliminated.
Give Blood
Oct. 29 and Oct. 30
Gov. Grasso Selects Plant to Initiate Ridesharing Program
Gov. Grasso announced at the 75th Anniversary Celebration that the Naugatuck Chemical plant is the first in Connecticut to initiate a demonstration project in cooperation with the Governor’s Ridesharing Task Force.
The Company will survey the employees to determine the commuting patterns of the employees. Based on results of the survey, a total ridesharing program will be designed to incorporate the use of buses, carpools and van pools. Consideration will also be given to use of the rail line that runs through the Naugatuck Valley.
Shortage a Way of Life
Every effort will be made to encourage the use of public transportation and ridesharing to further the overall state program of energy conservation. It is vital that every possible initiative be taken to promote ridesharing because limited supplies of gasoline are going to be a way of life from now on.
[PHOTO CAPTION:]
Eric Storch, Environmental Manager, for the Naugatuck Chemical plant has been named by Gov. Grasso to serve on the Governor’s Ridesharing Task Force. Storch is also a member of the Commission on Environmental Protection and Economic Development for the State of Connecticut.
Eventually as many as five companies throughout the state will be involved in the demonstration program. She congratulated Eric Storch, Environmental Manager at Uniroyal Chemical, for taking the lead in this project. He is also making valuable contributions as a member of the Governor’s Ridesharing Task Force.
MIT to Monitor Program
A team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will monitor the Uniroyal program and others like it in the state. MIT is a consultant to the United States Dept. of Energy, and the lessons its team learns in Connecticut can be applied to the design of similar ridesharing programs throughout the United States.
A ridesharing questionnaire will be sent to employees at the Naugatuck location. This will serve as a basis for the programs that will be coordinated by the Industrial Relations Dept.
Old Products Live On
[PHOTO CAPTION:]
From left Lou Lakatos, John Booth and Ron Moffat, Foreman, stand in front of Precipitator in Bldg. 88 that is used to make the “Zates”. Not present were Stan Salva, Bill Broden, and Mike McCormick.
by Bob Van Allen
It is not by accident that some of the oldest rubber chemicals continue to compete successfully for sales and income for essentially the same applications as originally intended. Of course it usually starts with a good product, born of effective research. However, the life cycles of Naugatuck’s Chemicals hinge very significantly on the well directed efforts of Process Development, Process Engineering and Manufacturing that assure cost effectiveness in the market.
The ultra accelerator called Methazate may illustrate the point. This material was first manufactured in 1926 as YZA. An old set of records indicate that 800 lbs. were sold that year. In 1978 Methazate sales in various forms totaled 500,000 lbs.
In early 1950 Dr. Howard Hageman, then in Process Development, devised the one step method for producing “Zates”. It greatly increased the productivity of Methazate. The chemistry of the new process introduced a small inherent yield loss. This year Stan Salva developed a practical means of correcting the deficiency. Not only has a 2% yield improvement been achieved, but in addition a more complete reaction reduces chlorine demand at the Naugatuck Treatment Company. Bill Broden, Process Engineering Manager, and Ron Moffat, Production Foreman, are enthusiastic over this successful effort of Process Development in that it represents $15,000 in annual savings for manufacturing operations.
Plant’s Profits Continue
The Naugatuck Plant continued its good profit performance through the second quarter and into July. The July Year-to-Date operating profit, which excludes the expenses for selling, accounting, administrative, corporate charges and taxes, totalled $14.2 million dollars as compared to $8.0 million for the comparable 1978 period. This is an increase of 77%. With this, the Naugatuck Plant has already exceeded its 1979 operating profit target.
This accomplishment was made possible by the improved pricing of Naugatuck manufactured products and the plant’s Profit Improvement Programs which have reduced the plant’s operating cost.
A less favorable economic condition during the rest of 1979 will undoubtedly reduce the rate of profit for the remainder of the year and will require our continued good efforts to an even greater degree.
Correction
Two strong members of the Tugboat crew were inadvertently omitted in the “Tugboat” article appearing in the June 1st issue of “CHEM TEXTS”. Not mentioned as part of the Process Development team were the two Experimental Technicians, Fred R. Mayo and Louis J. DeFronzo.
Fred, who has been with Uniroyal Chemical for 31 years, and Louis, who has 15 years of service are key members of the group in providing exceptional Laboratory assistance.