CELOTEX-MAKING

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1925, Page 1

CELOTEX-MAKING

NEW AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY. SYDNEY. May 7. A new Midlist i‘\ that w ill absorb sugar-cane refuse previously destroyed, pill money into the pockets of Australian cane growers, and add greatly to Australia’s national wealth, it successful. is shortly to be established in Queensland. This is the manufacture of reloiex. a patented material, from tilt* earn- libre. Celotex is a board which will take the place oj much light timber now imported to this country in large quantities, and is specially praised for it- value as a building material and for the funking of boxes and cases. The prime mover in establishing a company to exploit the manufacture of celotex in Australia is Mr 11. ('. Armstrong. who in ibe last two years has spent much time abroad in interesting American ami English capitalists and in deiuonsi rating at Wembley last year I lie efih-ney of his “synthetic timber.” as it has been called.

Now in a letter from America lo the Prime .Minister Air Rruee). Mr Armstrong ,;iinunuoes that the (Vlnlex Company, i f ( hit ago. which is the main tiuam-i:i! n-nc in tin- deal, lias lie- ided in push ahead wit !i the establishment of a factory m Queensland. A n imrt tendered to this company from investigators id possibilities in Australia was highly favourable. The company is mailing extensive additions to its own plant at Chicago, and other sugar-cane producing companies are pushing their claims for nm-ider.-uiiin. but .Mr Armstrong has been assured that \iislralia will lie the tir-i country in which a branch faeiory will he built. The president of the eempanv will arrive in Australia within a month or two and an .-innotinremenl of definite plans

for a eommenei'meut are exported to b< made shortly afterwards. Wh.-it the establishment of the industry will mean when translated into bard cash is difficult exactly to estimate. In 1 lie first place, thousands of pounds will Ik- paid lo ealie-growers tol what lias been hitherto thrown oil the scrap heap. It will mean a saving in tin- costs of softwoods. These, together with the labour directly and indirectly involved in ii- manufacture, and the handling of flu- finished article. will mean a considerable contribution to national wealth. It is also going to mean cheaper and better housing—belli r. It is claimed, because celotex Ini' insulating and sound-deadening properties. The former property, it i- stateiF will enlirelv change living conditions in the tropical north, as it will ensure redm-tiem of temperature in the bouses in w 1 1 ieli it was used, while an exactly opposite effect is obtained in cold climate.'. the result being a warmer llollse.