TASKS OF EAST GERMAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY DURING SECOND FIVE-YEAR PLAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000700260054-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 7, 2011
• Sequence Number: 54
• Publication Date: September 20, 1956
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/07: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700260054-2
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/07: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700260054-2
TASKS OF EAST GERMAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
DURING SECOND FIVE-YEAR PLAN
Chemische Technik
Berlin, Vol VIII, Apr 56
The main task of the First Five-Year Plan was to rebuild the plants of
the basic chemical industry in Central Germany, which had been greatly af-
fected by the war ana which constituted about 40 percent of the total German
potential in 1943, and to adapt production to domestic raw materials. The
production program, especially that of pharmaceuticals, plastics, synthetic
fibers,'etc., had to be developed and supplemented and the quality of these
products had to be brought to a level which would make it possible to compete
in international trade. Furthermore, the research and developmental labora-
tories-of the chemical industry had to be rebuilt and be made so productive
as to achieve the goals of the First Five-Year Plan.
During the First Five-Year Plan, gross production within the province
of the Ministry of Chemical Industry increased to 192.7 percent [compared to
1951). Labor productivity per production worker increased to 157.6 percent
during the?'same'period, accumulation increased to 150 percent, and producer's
costs were reduced 7.56 percent.
Compared to West Germany, East German per capita production of the key
products indicated was as follows in 1954:
Item
West Germany
in
East Germany
in
Soda
18.7
20.6
Caustic soda
9.7
12.6
Ammonia
Ni
14.1
17.5
trogen fertilizer
C
13.0
15.3
alcium carbide
16.1
39.9
A crucial prerequisite for the further growth of total industrial pro-
duction is uninterrupted technical progress. A higher technical level must
be attained by mechanization and automatization of production and by essential
improvement of the quality of the individual products. Existing (raw material]
reserves remain to be uncovered and to be supplied to production. The dis-
cussions for the 1956 Enterprise Collective Agreement (Betriebskollektivvertrag)
pointed to these reserves and included them in the plans for technical organi-
zational progress and in the plans for rationalization measures. The prelimi-
nary plans, which are to be worked out by the Office for Inventions, and the
emphasized tasks to be performed, are to be discussed in production conferences
and in work areas.
To raise production to 165 percent [compared to 1951], which is the goal
of the Second Five-Year Plan, labor productivity per production worker will
have to be increased to 144.5 percent, compared to 1955, by further reducing
manual work. During the same period, producer's costs are to be reduced 16.5
percent, and accumulation is to be increased to 265 percent.
The main tasks in the development of production in the chemical industry,
based upon the Second Five-Year Plan of the Economic Commission of the Socialist
Unity Party which were submitted to the enterprises; administrations, and sci-
entific institutions for discussion, consist of a further production increase
in basic chemicals. Thus, for example, the production of sulfuric Acid is to
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be railed to 152 percent, compared to 1955; that of soda, to 153 of caustic soda, to 139 percent; of nitrogen fertilizers, to 114.5 percent;
of phosphorus fertilizers, to 247 percent; and of synthetic rubber to 170
percent.
A new plant for the extraction of sulfuric acid from gypsum is to be
constructed in Coswig during the Second Fi
ve-Year Plan; two new phosphorus
fertilizer plants are to be built in
be erected in Bezirk Salle; and a compost plant is to
and urea-based Piesteritz. The production of "Stikaphos" (trade name)
fertilizer is to be resumed. Another plant for soda produc-
tion is being constructed on the basis of carbon dioxide from the Leuna Plant
and lime from the Buns Plant. Moreover, plants for synthetic rubber produc-
tion are to be considerably enlarged.
By 1960, aluminum production is to be increased to 252 percent (terms of
reference not given), and during the Second Five-Year Plan, magnesium produc-
tion is to be resumed, so that it will already have attained an appreciable
amount by 1960. During the same period, processes for titanium and zirconium
production are to be developed further and the production of these metals is
to be taken up. A series of developmental tasks, for example, alumina must
be extracted from clay, from siliceous bauxite, and from brown coal-ashes, to
increase aluminum production.
A significant expansion of synthetic gasoline production is required to
increase production of fuel, ammonia, and methanol. During the Second Five-
Year Plan, a catalytic cracking plant and a platforming plant are to be con-
structed in the VEB (people-owned enterprise) "Walter Ulbricht" Plant at Leuna.
The Second Five-Year Plan also provides for an essential increase in cal-
cium carbide production. For this reason, among others, the present ovens in
the VEB Buna Chemical Works are being converted and enlarged to handle a greater
load in order to attain the planned production increase.
To provide dependent industries with the necessary prerequisites for in-
troducing new technology, industries producing plastics and synthetic fibers
will increase their production quantitatively and qualitatively by enlarging
their assortment. Thus, the plan calls for an increase in the production of
PVC to 172 percent, compared to 1955, and of Perlon, to 184 percent. The em-
phasis in synthetic fiber production is on Wolycron and Lanon (Terylen). The
plant for producing Wolycron in Wolfen is being enlarged considerably. The
construction of a plant for the production of I.snon is also planned.
During the next 5 years, tire production is to be increased to 188 percent
and the life of a tire is to be lengthened at least 50 percent, compared to
1955. The tire plants in Fuerstenwalde and Riess are being enlarged to fulfill
this goal and each will soon have an automatic assembly line. Parallel to the
expansion of production in the tire industry, the production of viscose cord
at Wolfen and Pirna is being expanded and automatized.
Through intensive research and development, the program for plastics which
are already in lnrge-scale production, (phenolic resins, amino resins, poly-
amides, polymethacrylates, polyvinyl ethers and esters), as well as for those
whose production is now starting (polyethyls, expoxy resins, polyurethanes,
silicones, fluorocarbons, etc.), is being considerably expanded, and the quality
of these products is being constantly improved to maintain their world market
level and to occupy a leading position in world trade. These products are to
be adjusted to the special technical requirements of the individual consumers.
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To create the conditions most modern, and most economic production to
princrease ocesses are Production, developed for
intermediate products.
Great tasks have been pres?nted to the chemical industry in the pro-
duction of special dyestuffs having a high degree of color fastness. The
expansion of bright dye production for textile dyestuffs is being carried
out. A new factory for cupramine dyestuffs (benzo-fast copper dyestuffs)
which resist light, water, perspiration, and beat from ironing, is being
built in Wolfen. A new factory for inorganic pigments is also planned.
Construction of an amine and ester production plant, which has already been
designed, will also be undertaken.
The most far-reaching mechanization and automatization of present plants,
the construction of plants which are to be equipped according to the most
modern points of view, the outfitting of chemical industrial enterprises with
the most modern measuring and regulating equipment, and the mechanization of
the transportion of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished prod-
ucts will guarantee the highest level of labor productivity and the produc-
tion of high-grade products. Some of the working processes are being con-
verted to be continuous operation.
For example, the production of sulfuric acid, superphosphates, synthetic
fibers, tires, and detergents is to be partially automatized, as is the pro-
duction of caustic soda, aluminum, films, and lacquers.
To be able to carry out the investments provided for in the Second Five-
Year Plan, the VEB KID (Konstruktions-und Ingenieursbuero, Designing and
Engineering Office] for Chemistry and all construction, designing, and organi-
zational offices of large enterprises, as well as designing offices in machine-
building enterprises, are to be strengthened. However, this is possible only
by the planned direction of graduates from advanced and technical schools.
Representatives of construction, designing, and organizational offices must
therefore be consulted in all matters pertaining to advanced and technical
school graduates. Only then will the necessary manpower gradually become
available.
Moreover, managers must employ their rights which have been granted to
them to a greater extent, even in decisions of plans and designs for projects
valued up to 75,000 DM (as stipulated in Gesetzblatt special 10 February 1956). , edition of
Suitable specialization and cooperation in designing work must be under-
taken in the KIB and in plant technical offices. The KIB is to follow the
expansion goals of the chemical industry more than ever in an advisory capacity
and is to be supported by the Central Work Circle for Research and Technology
which is soon to be created to deal with the technology of chemical operations
and the development of chemistry.
To meet the requirements of increased production, the education of the
coming generation for the chemical industry and research is a problem of ut-
most importance which has to be solved. The Advanced Technical School in
Halle-Merseburg is increasing its capacity of 200 students in 1955 to 2,000
students by 1960. Also, the technical. schools for chemistry will enlarge their
capacities considerably. By 1960, some 2,700 graduates from these schools will
be incorporated into the labor force. Sixty million DM are provided for the
enlargement of advanced and technical schools.
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