CHEMICAL MANUFACTURERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 41, 11 May 1927, Page 2

CHEMICAL MANUFACTURERS

AGREEMENT WITH GERMANY By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright BERLIN, Monday. A comprehensive agreement between the German and the British chemical manufacturing companies is pending, by which a combination of -37 per cent! of the world’s exports of chemical goods and two-thirds of the world’s production of dyes will be effected. The deal is a result of Sir Alfred Mond’s visit to Germany. The agreement provides for the exchange of German dye patents and the results of research, backed by instruction from German chemists, in return for a share, which is estimated at 50 per cent., in the British colonial dyestuffs markets. It is expected that the agreement will also include fertilisers, artificial silk, oil extracted from coal, photographic chemicals and other products If the agreement materialises, it is expected that the Governments of France and of the United States will protest against the combination as being in restraint of tra.de. The L r nited States chemical industry will be severely damaged if the Germans reveal to Britain the secrets of the newest synthetic processes, which are based on hydrogenation of catalysis. The Germans, however, are prepared to yield much for the extension of t/veir chemical markets. and much British capital is already invested in German dye trusts. „ Among the British investors are the firms of Messrs. Brunner, Mond and Company. Vickers, Ltd., the Nobel Industries and Courtaulds.—A. and N.Z.