S.E. Asia is becoming center of rubber activity.

Not long ago it was unthinkable that the natural rubber rich countries of southeast Asia would be net importers of rubber. But with the explosion of rubber product manufacturing in the area, led by China and Malaysia, this area has propelled the Asia Pacific region to become the center of rubber industry activity. In 1960, Europe and North America consumed 83% of the rubber used worldwide. In 1995, that figure was 45%, while the Asia/pacific region consumed 44%. To go along with this rapid acceleration in production is a dramatic increase in synthetic rubber projects to augment the natural rubber supply.

The International Rubber Study Group is forecasting continued steady growth for the region, but warns that the rate of growth in consumption could lead to a NR shortage as early as 2002. Dr. Prachaya Jumpasut, chief economist for the IRSG, noted at a recent meeting that the top three NR producers, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, are expected to account for 69% of world NR production in 2000, slightly less than what it is currently produced, but those countries are expected to make significant increases in domestic consumption.

IRSG Secretary-General Maurice Cain points out that the Malayasian model in regard to NR production is being followed by Indonesia and Thailand. "Malaysia has used the economic development afforded by the cultivation of NR as a perennial cash crop to foster the economic development of an agriculture-based economy, providing a springboard for the development of downstream industries, and thus a switch to an industry-based economy. Thailand seems likely to follow this route, and similar developments in Indonesia are probably not far off," he said.

Jumpasut warns that this trend could have an adverse effect on the industry, saying, "while supplies from other countries are increasing slowly, more and more NR is consumed domestically in major producing countries, leaving less and less for export." Barring a significant increase in production from other sources, such as Africa or Brazil, "the world NR industry will face a shortage as early as 2002, and the deficit will continue to widen," he added.

Long known as the main source for natural rubber, the countries of southeast Asia have begun investing in synthetic rubber projects. Michael Coleman of Cargill estimates that Asia produced 2.7 million metric tons of SR in 1995 out of a total world production of 9.4 mmt. With consumption of 3.15 mmt, the area was a moderate net importer. He said major expansion projects in Thailand will add 300,000 mmt and 200,000 mmt in Indonesia and China. respectively. He says it's likely that Malaysia and Vietnam will also develop SR capacities. "By the year 2000, Asia will be producing around 3.5 mmt of SR and 6.85 mmt of NR. A total of approximately 10.3 mmt out of the expected supply of 17.5 mmt - 59% of the world's supply." Most of this growth will come in the southeast Asian area. Presently, China is the only country with SR production.

The automobile is the driving force for much of the growth, as international car manufacturers have targeted the area for plants and national cars have been developed or are under consideration in several countries. Smithers Scientific Services, in its report, "The tire and rubber industry in southeast Asia," predicts tire production will increase 6% annually to nearly 57 million tires by the year 2000. Presently, there are more than 35 tire factories in the region producing more than 38 million passenger, light truck and commercial vehicle tires. Smithers predicts the non-tire rubber markets will grow even faster, saying the demand for hoses, belts, mechanical goods, wire and cable, footwear and medical products will grow 8-12% annually.

China

China is in the midst of an economic program that has introduced free market policies into this communist system. The growth in rubber product manufacturing has followed the general economy, which has seen the gross domestic product more than triple since 1978.

According to the national economic development plan of the country, China's rubber consumption in 2000 will be 1.4 mmt, based on its estimate of a 6% yearly growth of the GNP. However, the World Bank predicts a yearly growth of 9% in the Chinese GNP, which means consumption would reach 1.7 mmt.

Mo Shanwen of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences recently wrote that "about 500,000 tons of natural rubber and 700,000 tons of synthetic rubber must be imported at that time."

Historically, the average consumption of rubber per person in China has been low. In 1955, total consumption of rubber was 39,000 mt, all natural. But between 1975 and 1995 consumption increased almost five-fold from 356,600 mt to 1.5 million metric tons. Almost 53% of the rubber consumed in China goes into tires for two and four wheel vehicles.

Even though the country has invested heavily in synthetic rubber projects recently, more than 917,000 tons of rubber were imported in 1995, 550,000 tons of NR. Shanwen says "undoubtedly, China has to import rubber in the future on a large amount." It was recently reported that Chinese and Thai officials held meetings to discuss the possibility of China buying at least 380,000 tons of NR before the end of the year. Thai officials claim China imported that same amount in 1996.

China's NR industry began in the early 1950s and presently there are approximately 600,000 hectares planted. Shanwen says that two-thirds of the total area and nearly 90% of the production is owned by state farms built by the central government. Most of China's NR is grown in the country's southeast, an area susceptible to tropical storms. Hainan is the largest rubber planting region, accounting for 61% of total planted area, and Yunnan the highest yielding region with a yield of 1,551 Kg/ha in 1994.

Currently, China is producing around 420,000 tons and should reach 450,000 tons of NR by 2000. The maximum output could be around 500,000 tons, and that might be its limit. Shanwen says that about 400,000, ha of high and stable yielding rubber plantations will be preserved. "It is impossible to expand, on a large scale, our rubber planting area because of economic benefit and climatic reasons." Late last year the state farm system received a $37 million World Bank loan to help them vigorously update and upgrade their production.

Shanwen said the country has made great strides in rubber cultivation from higher yielding clones to placing certain strains geographically where they're best suited, but the new market economy has brought other problems. About one third of the plantations are low yielding, and many are switching from rubber to other crops. Production costs have increased, reducing management profit. Also, regeneration speed at older plantations is slow because of economic reasons. Presently there are about 80,000 ha. of old, low yielding trees to be regenerated.

China's synthetic rubber industry has been growing dramatically. In 1975, a little more than 56,000 tons of SR were produced. Production capacity now exceeds 500,000 tons and estimates for the year 2000 call for an output of 800,000 tons. Demand is expected to be near 900,000 t/y.

Under China's ninth five-year plan, the country aims to focus on self sufficiency in petrochemical products by 2010. This means a continuation of expanding SR production. According to the China National Chemical Planning Institute, the country is currently 50-60% self-sufficient and expects to be 70-80% by 2000. Over the next five years, ethylene capacity is targeted to increase to almost 5 mmt. Capacity was 2.9 mmt in 1995.

Just within the past 12 months these projects have been announced for China: Bayer is setting up a joint venture to produce SBR and BR, constructing a 100,000 t/y facility; a 100 kt/y E-SBR plant, a joint venture involving Taiwan Synthetic Rubber will be on stream in the first quarter of next year; Pressindustria Spa is building a 30 kt/y butyl/halobutyl plant to be on stream by mid- 1999; Jiln Chemical is set to open a 20 kt/y EPDM plant; a Kumho joint venture is building a 100 kt/y SBR plant in Nantong which will be completed at the end of the year; and China Synthetic Rubber is building a 70,000 t/y carbon black plant in southern China.

All of these facilities are in response to the burgeoning car manufacturing industry, which according to many reports, continues to produce automobiles at a pace far exceeding demand. The targeted quota for vehicles stands at 1.2 million in 2000, three times the current level. A report from the Chinese Rubber Industry Association said a stagnant car market resulted in a tire stockpile that grew 20% in 1996. Undaunted, both car manufacturers and the rubber makers who supply them are still bullish on China.

Recently announced tire manufacturing facilities include the opening of the country's largest tire plant in Nanjing, a joint venture with Kumho, to produce 3.0 million tires annually. Indonesia's Tunggal Group will have its second tire venture operating by 2000. The $280 million plant, to be located in Fujian Province, will produce 10.5 million car and light truck tires a year.

The central and local government are funding a radial tire plant with a capacity of 1.5 million sets of tires in Sichuan Province. Pirelli is negotiating a joint venture for a plant it built in Jiln Province and would double capacity to 1.5 million tires annually. Production at a $60 million Goodyear plant with a 3,000 radials per day output opened last year. Shanghai Tires bought a bankrupt tire plant in Hainin Island that was to have a capacity of 600,000 sets of tires yearly by 1999. Hankook is building a $75 million tire plant in JiaXing that will build 14,000 passenger radials and 30,000 inner tubes daily by 2001. Yunnan Tire opened a 2 million radial tires plant in April.

Recent non-tire production activity includes a Chicago Rawhide joint venture for a $24 million automotive sealing products plant; Forbo Holding AG in a $7.5 million j.v. for light conveyor belts and transmission belts; a Pirelli j.v. is building a plant to manufacture power and telecommunications cable; and Chipping Seal opened an o-ring and seal plant last December.

Malaysia

Malaysia, currently experiencing economic problems, is one of the success stories of modem times, and rubber has played a significant role. Between 1988 and 1995, the economy posted an annual growth rate of 9%. For years the country was the world's top producer of natural rubber, but as its economy changes from agrarian to industrial, natural rubber production is on the decline. Production peaked in 1988 at 1.66 mmt and was just over 1 mmt last year.

Ng Kok Tee, deputy chairman of the Malaysian Rubber Exchange and Licensing Board, says that although NR production is decreasing in importance in national policy, its availability will play a significant role in Malyasia's economic development."

Tee said the government is currently redefining its rubber industry and is viewing it as an integrated economic activity. "It will cover not just production, but also areas of value-added processing, utilization of rubber wood, rubber products manufacturing and offshore investments." He said NR accounts for only 2% of Malaysia's export earnings, but it maintains 400,000 smallholder families and over 70,000 workers in the plantation sector. Currently, more of the product is channeled into domestic industries to be manufactured into higher value-added products.

Rubber consumption increased from around 150,000 tons in 1988 to almost 330,000 tons in 1995. Currently, Malaysia is the world's fifth largest NR consumer and the largest NR latex consumer.

The growth in domestic consumption was planned by the government to boost resource-based industries. Lead by the latex industry, domestic production in 1995 surpassed the government's target of 300,000 tons. The rubber gloves sector has grown from a 17.9% share of local consumption in 1985 to 54.6% in 1995.

Tee said that annual export earnings for rubber products actually surpassed that for NR in the years 1992-1994. In 1985, exports earnings for rubber products was RM 306.9 million compared to RM 2.87 billion for NR. In 1995, rubber product exports reached RM 3.86 billion, while NR export earnings, because of exceptionally good prices, were at RM 4.03 billion.

Being the world's fifth largest rubber consumer, Malaysia's imports have grown dramatically. In 1985, 28,863 tons were imported, compared to 235,806 tons in 1995.

The transformation of Malaysia's economy has caused labor shortages on the plantations, which is another contributing factor to the production decline. The manufacturing sector has also been affected, as some rubber product manufacturers are looking for lower-cost sites. Safeskin recently closed one of its two glove factories, moving the production to lower-cost Thailand and Plaat Malaysia moved its hot water bottle production to India because of increasing labor costs.

The need for more rubber for its manufacturing industry will become evident if the country meets the 10.7% annual growth rate predicted by the government for this sector through 2000 and 8.3% for the period 2001-2005, as part of its industrial master plan. Part of that plan is the development of a national car and motorcycle. The Proton, Malaysia's national car, will be in production in 1999 with 250,000 vehicles produced the first year. Eventually, the plant near Kuala Lumpur will produce one million units annually.

Recent developments in the manufacturing sector include a technical rubber products plant to be built by Phoenix AG, and Sime Darby bought the assets of Sumitomo Rubber's aircraft tire business. Sumitomo will add the line to its plant in Kuala Lumpur. The firm plans to have radial capacity on line by the end of this year.

Reflecting the shift in the rubber industry in Malaysia is the announcement that the Tun Razak Rubber Research Center would provide technical service and research findings to Malaysian manufacturers. The center was established in the 1970s by the Malaysian Rubber Research and Development Board to promote the usage of Malaysian NR.

Although deemphasized, the NR industry in Malaysia still receives a lot of attention from the government, the MRRDB, the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia and the Malaysian Rubber Producers Council. The government has been studying a scheme that would privatize the subsidy scheme for rubber replanting that it claims would overcome the labor shortage.

The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority has plans to become the world's largest plantation owner by 2010 by acquiring smallholdings which are not commercially managed. Presently, RISDA owns more than 300,000 hectares in Malaysia, with a goal of 1.2 million ha. Smallholders that participate will hold equity. RISDA said it could increase the yields of many smallholdings from an average of 850 kg and 1,200 kg of rubber per hectare to about 3,000 kg through mechanization and advanced technologies. They would also use new clones with shorter maturity and a good quality timber. Rubber timber is gaining acceptance and provides extra income. RISDA is also considering beginning plantations in Indonesia.

Synthetic rubber plants are also on the drawing board. Taiwan Synthetic Rubber is studying sites for a butadiene production facility with an annual capacity of 50,000 tons and Mitsui Petrochemical is considering Malaysia, as well as Thailand, as the site for a 40,000 tons per year EPDM unit.

Indonesia

Indonesia is the second largest NR producer, but its rubber product industry has lagged behind Malaysia and Thailand. NR is still a vital part of the country's economic program and the government has initiated programs to increase yields and develop more areas for planting. The main obstacle in the country is that smallholders account for 83% of the rubber area and 74% of the production. Of the remainder, 14% comes from state plantations and 12% from private estates. Smallholders' annual yields are 600 kilograms per hectare while the estates get 1,400 kilograms.

Studies indicate that the smallholders' share of production will increase as production from estates declines as they plant more lucrative crops. Most smallholder operations grow jungle rubber, which is a result of the slash and bum method of cultivating a jungle area. Jungle rubber's productivity is low and the government is trying to reach the smallholders to assist in agroforestry and the planting of higher yielding clones.

The Asian Development Bank projects Indonesian NR output will grow 5% per year from 1995 to reach 2.3 mmt in 2005. Indonesia's percentage of world NR production would increase from 24% to 35%.

According to A.F.S. Budiman, executive director of Gapkindo, the Indonesian Rubber Association, only 15 % of

          Worldwide rubber consumption (000 mt)

                1975      1985      1995       2000
World         10,470    13,420    15,160     17,500
Asia           1,829     3,446     6,374      8,300
N. America     2,881     2,994     3,495      4,200
Europe         4,959     5,933     3,954      4,100
Other            801     1,047     1,337        900
          Worldwide rubber production (000 mt)

                1975       1985      1995      2000
World         10,230     13,360    15,010    17,500
Asia           3,985      5,671     8,245    10,300
N. America     2,163      2,325     2,715     2,900
Europe         3,515      4,603     3,390     3,500
Other            567        761       660       800

the smallholder rubber area has been reached by the government's development projects. The projects are also hampered by underfunding.

Although not on the same pace as Malaysia, or even Thailand, the Indonesian rubber products industry is starting to grow. They are the home of the world's 16th largest tire company, Gajah Tunggal, and multinationals Goodyear, Bridgestone, Avon, Pirelli, Sumitomo, Toyo and Uniroyal Goodrich have tire manufacturing presences either by joint venture or licensing arrangements.

Budiman's figures show that rubber consumption in Indonesia increased 20.9% during the period of 1991 to 1995. During the same time, Malaysian production increased 51.4% and Thailand's increased 44.6%.

However, Indonesia's exports of rubber products increased over 210% in the same period, fueled by the footwear sector which accounted for 84% of the total. But Budiman points out that the figures showed that "the fast development of the rubber footwear industry in Indonesia gave little contribution to the increase in NR consumption."

Tire manufacturing is the largest domestic consumer of NR, accounting for 90,000 tons in 1995. Budiman said there is presently an excess of installed capacity, which is 18 million tires per year. Production in 1995 was 14.8 million tires, while sales were only 8.7 million in 1994 and 9.3 million in 1995. Exports were 3.0 million in 1994 and 4.7 niillion in 1995.

Some of this excess will be alleviated when a national car begins production. PT Timor Putra Nasional plans to build 200,000 vehicles a year by 1999 and to have over one million made by 2003. Also, the Toyota assembly plant in Jakarta will expand capacity to 150,000 vehicles annually by 2000 from the present 100,000. Gajah Tunggal recently announced it would build 500,000 tires for Pirelli to sell in the North American market.

The other manufacturing industries consumed approximately 48,000 tons of NR in 1995. Latex goods accounted for 16,500 tons, industrial rubber goods 11,500 tons, general rubber goods 8,500 tons and footwear consumed 7,000 tons. A new latex glove factory is planned by Latexx Partners in Medan.

Besides the planned increase in NR, there are plans for synthetic elastomer production by Gajah Tunggal, but a Kumho joint venture has been put on hold. GT is constructing a 60 kt/year emulsion SBR plant in Merak/West Java. The $100 million project will be on stream early in 1998, and the facility will have the capability of expanding to 150 kt per year. GT says it will consume 70% of the output in its tire operations.

TriPolyta put on indefinite hold a SBR project and a polybutadiene project. The SBR project, a joint venture with Korea's Kumho, called for a 50,000 mt plant. That scuttled the 40,000 mt polybutadiene project because the joint venture was to invest 20%.

Thailand

The economic crisis that the countries of southeast Asia are experiencing may have hit Thailand the hardest. The recent devaluation of the Thai currency, the baht, forced Volvo to halt production at its Thai assembly plant, idling about 120. The Thai government is actively trying to establish the country as an automobile assembly and manufacturing center, and many multinationals have set up operations or have plants under consideration.

Thailand is the world's largest producer and exporter of natural rubber and the Thai government is probably the most active in the region in its rubber industry. The government has been active in buying rubber to maintain prices for its growers. Currently it is buying $93 million worth of rubber, but the current economic crisis could change that. The government recently defaulted on delivery of over 23,000 tons.

Thailand has been the top producer of NR since 1991. Total rubber area is near 1.8 million hectares, with small-holders accounting for 95%. An aggressive replanting scheme implemented in 1978, when production was less than half a million metric tons, produced 1.79 million tons in 1995. V. Sinchareonkul of the Thai Rubber Association (TRA) estimates production should reach 1.91 mmt this year.

Consumption of rubber in 1995 was a little more than 150,000 mt, but is increasing because of the automotive presence and the need for suppliers. The TRA estimates that production for this year should reach near 200,000 mt. Tires and tubes represent about half of the total, while gloves account for nearly 15% and rubber bands 10%.

But the estimates are based on increased auto activity and many of the manufacturers are rethinking plans. The sales of cars fell 12.5% during the first five months of this year and analysts estimate that production will be near half a million units, which is 100,000 less than projected.

The multinational car companies have planned $1 billion in investments over the next two years. Automotive Resources Asia estimates that Thai demand for vehicles will be 825,000 units in 2000 when the country's capacity will be at least 950,000. The government aims to be the 10th largest auto producer by 2001. The country ranks second in the world in motorcycle production and also second in pick-up truck consumption, according to the TRA. The government says it will increase rubber consumption by 20-25% by 2001 at the end of its current economic development plan. The plan calls for an aggressive shift of its natural rubber area from the southern peninsula to the northeast, where land and labor are more plentiful; developing a synthetic rubber industry, and encouraging foreign investment and joint ventures in the manufacturing sector.

Recent projects announced include a joint venture involving Yokohoma Rubber in a hydraulic hose and windscreen sealant plant which is expected to be producing 450,000 hoses and 1,000 tons of sealants by 2001. Safeskin will build the countries largest latex plant, one billion exam gloves annually, as part of a $40 million expansion program that also includes another factory that will expand production of synthetic gloves by 200%.

Southeast Asia directory of representatives and agents

Allied Signal Fibers (see ad on second cover) Suite 3812-16 Shell Tower, Times Sq. 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay Hong Kong Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Product line: Sales/technical

Unit 23-03 Landmark Building 8 North DongSanHuan Road Chao Yang District, Beijing 100004 P.R. China Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Product line: Sales/technical

No.8 Niu Dun Road Zhang Jiang Hi-tech Park Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203 P.R. China Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Product line: Sales/technical

3 Hongqiao Road, Changsha Kaiping, Guangdong 529300 P.R. China Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] or 86-75.02.21.80.93 Product line: Manufacturing/techrdcal services/R&D

Chronos Richardson (see ad on page 50) Hong Kong Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Malaysia Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] China Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Consolidated Baling Machine (see ad on page 54) P.O. Box 60125 Jacksonville, FL 61025 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Internet: http//www.intl-baler.com/ Areas served: Worldwide Product line: Rubber balers Other services: Cardboard balers, presses

Dyneon (see ad on page 1) 6744 33rd Street North Oakdale, MN 55128 Agent: Richard Pallarino Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Internet: [e-mail] Areas served: Asia Pacific Product line: Fluoroelastomers, rubber chemical

Exxon Chemical (see ad on page 32) China 3319-3322 China World Tower China World Trade Center No. I Jian Gua Men Wal Avenue Beijing, PRC 100004 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Taiwan Worldwide House Suite 806 683 Min Sheng E. Road Taipei, Taiwan 10446 Phone: [phone] Telex: 20604

Hong Kong 22nd floor, Central Plaza 18 Harbour Rd. Wanchai, Hong Kong Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Thailand P.O. Box 189 Bangkok, Thailand Phone: [phone] Telex: 82661 ESSO TH

Malaysia Son Berhad 13th Hoor, Pemas International Jalan Sultan, Ismail 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Phone: [phone] Telex: 30280

Singapore OUB Centre I Raffles Place #27-00 Singapore 0104 Phone: 53 55 33 Telex: 21252

Farrel Asia Ltd. (see ad on page 57) 2 Pioneer Sector 3 Jurong, Singapore 2262 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Product line: Polymer processing equiptment, systems, service and process lab capabilities

Guyson Corporation (see ad on page 74) King Enterprises Rm. 1723 Beijing Hanwei Plaza No. 7 Guang Hua Rd., Chao Yang Dist., Beijing Agent: Alice Yan Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Areas served: China Product line: Mold cleaning systems Other services: Rubber equiptment

Hercules Incorporated (see ad on page 21) 70 Shenton Way #10-01 Marina House Singapore 079118 Agent: Kelvin Tan Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Product line: Dicumyl peroxide, diidopropyl benzene, rosin ester, hydrogenated rosin, hydrocarbon resin

Connell Bros. Company 6, Gul Crescent Jurong, Singapore 629522 Agent: Mr. G.H. Lim Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] or 862-5986

Connell Bros. Company Diethelm Tower A 6th Floor, No. 93/1, Wireless Road Bangkok 10330, Thailand Agent: Santhad Prakkamakul Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Connell Bros. Co. Pilipinas, Inc. 4th Floor, Agustin I Building Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center Pasig, Metro Manila Philippines Agent: Rudy Villaret Phone: [phone] to 98 Fax: [phone]

Rika-Hercules Inc. Pola Aoyama Building 5-17 Minami Aoyama 2-Chome Minato-ku, Tokyo 107 Japan Agent: T. Sugimoto Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Hydratecs Injection Equipment (see ad on page 13) 127 Huiqian Road Wuxi, China Agent: Bingquian Xu, General Manager Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Internet: www.polysort.com/hie Areas served: China Product line: Injection equiptment

Jacobson Machine Works (see ad on page 29) ADC-Agriasia Development Corp. 3E, N.-137, JEN AIRD., Sec.4, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] President: Paul Kao Assistant: Jousen Jou

Adaco Technologies 21-A, Jalan Jejaka 3, Taman Maluri 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] President: K.C. Kho

Agriasia China Room 402, Block B. Huiyan International Apt. Beijing Asian Olympia Estate, P.O. Box 9788 Beijing 100101, China PRC Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] President: James Chan/Paul Kao Assistant: Jousen Jou

MPG-MediaPhysics Group International 221A Sukhumvit Soi 4 (Nana Tai) Bangkok 10110, Thailand Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] President: Brian Tischer

Seong Shin Trading & Technology Suwon City, P.O. Box 63 Gyeong Gi Do, Korea Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] President: Chul Kyoo, Min

Troester (see ad on third cover) 1108 New World Centre (West wing) 20 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui Kowloon, Hong Kong

R.T. Vanderbilt (see ad on page 5) 30 Winfield St. Norwalk, CT 06866 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Malaysia Adikem Snd. Bhd. Lot 2 & 4, Jalan PJS 11/5 Phase 5, Type B, Light Industrial Estate Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya Selangor, Malaysia Phone: [phone]/17/19 Fax: [phone]

Thailand Summit Chemicals Co. 52/184 Sukaphiban 3 Road Kwaeng Huamark, Khet Bangkapi Bangkok 10240 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Taiwan Union Chemical Ind. P.O. Box 59139 Taipei Room 703, Hsietsu Bldg. 47 Chung Shan North Rd. Sec. 3 Taipei, Taiwan Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Agents wanted Axel Plastics (see ad on page 18) Barbara Axel P.O. Box 770 855 Woodside, NY 11377 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Internet: http://www.axelplast.com Product line: Internal lubricants Seeking: Agent Country/Area: Southeast Asia

Consolidated Baling Machine (see ad on page 54) Ted C. Flood P.O. box 61025 Jacksonville, FL 32236 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Internet: http://www.intl-baler.com/ Product line: Baling presses Seeking: Agent, distributor Country/Area: Worldwide

Guyson Corporation of USA (see ad on page 74) John Carson W.J. Grande Industrial Park Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Internet: www.guyson.com Product line: Blast cleaning machinery Seeking: Agent Country/area: Various Pacific/Asia

Pilot Chemical Company (see ad on page 53) Neil A. Burns 230 Half Mile Road Red Bank, NJ 07701 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Internet:

http://www.pilotchemical.com Product line: Surfactants Seeking: Agent, Distributor Country/Area: Southeast Asia, Japan