PRODUCTION OF SYNTHETIC FIBERS AND FABRICS MADE FROM SYNTHETIC FIBERS IN THE USSR 1957

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• Publication Date: May 2, 1958
• Content Type: REPORT

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SECRET
ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE REPORT
N? 78
PRODUCTION OF SYNTHETIC FIBERS
AND FABRICS MADE FROM SYNTHETIC FIBERS
IN THE USSR
1957
CIA/RR 131
2 May 1958
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND REPORTS
t
SECRET
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WARNING
This material contains information affecting
the National Defense of the United States
within the meaning of the espionage laws,
Title 18, USC, Secs. 793 and 794, the trans-
mission or revelation of which in any manner
to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
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ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE REPORT
PRODUCTION OF SYNTHETIC FIBERS
AND FABRICS MADE FROM SYNTHETIC FIBERS
IN THE USSR
1957
CIA/RR 131
(ORE Project 30:1911)
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Research,and Reports
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FOREWORD
A
Production of synthetic fibers and of fabrics made from synthetic
fibers is considered generally to be an industry of the West, espe-
cially of the US, where large corporations have made tremendous advances
in research and in production. The USSR, nevertheless, is demonstrat-
ing remarkable progress in laboratory research, which follows the
pattern of Western laboratory research. Although Soviet production of
synthetic fibers is extremely small compared with US production, the
potential for future growth in the USSR is great, and some Western
scientists are alert to the possibility that Soviet laboratory research
may offer future competition in this field.
Soviet development in synthetic fibers is being watched also by US
manufacturers and by US economic research organizations. Research
studies of these groups and examination of Soviet technical literature
made for this report indicate that, instead of merely adapting Western
achievements to its own needs, the USSR is now in a position to develop
new types of synthetic fibers in its laboratories and ultimately to put
the new fibers into production.
Some use of highly technical terminology in this report was un-
avoidable, although considerable effort was spent in simplifying terms.
Some fibers and fabrics have names in the US, the UK, and Germany
which differ from each other and from the Soviet names. In this report,
ordinarily the Soviet term is used, but sometimes the context requires
a US or other term foreign to the USSR. Explanations of technical terms
are given in Appendix B.
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CONTENTS
Summary and Conclusions
I. Introduction
II. Historical Background
Page
3
A. Development in the West
4
B. Development in the USSR
5
C. Comparison of Production, in the US and in the USSR .
6
III. Organization
6
IV. .Research and Technology
8
A. Laboratory Research .
?
?
8
B. Cooperation Within the Soviet Bloc . .
.
9
C. Interest in Western Technology
10
V.
Growth
11
4
A. Production and Plans
1. Fiber
2. Fabric
11
12
13
B. Supplementing of Natural Fibers
15
VI.
Types of Fibers
16
A. Types of Nylon
16
1. Kapron
16
2. Anid . . ... . ? ? ...
. ? ? ?
16
3. Enant
17
4. Rilsan
17
B. Lavsan
17
C. Orlon and Related Types
18
1. Nitron
18
2. Khlorin
18
3. Vinyon and Acrilan
19
A
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D. Other Types
1. Casein Fiber
2. Glass Fiber
Page
19
19
20
VII. Uses
20
A. Light Industry
20
1. Silk Industry . .
20
2. Wool Industry.. . ? ? ..... .
.21
3. Other Consumer Industries
22
B. Nonconsumer ? ? . . . . . . .
22
1. Military
22
2. Industrial . . .. .. .
23
VIII. Capabilities, Limitations, and Intentions
24
A. Capabilities
24
B. Limitations
25
C. Intentions
25
Appendixes
Appendix A. Types of Synthetic Fibers and Their Com-
ponents
27
Appendix B. Glossary
29
Appendix C. .Plants Identified with Production of Synthetic
Fibers in the USSR
35
Appendix D. Methodology
37
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Tables
?
1. Estimated Production of Synthetic, Artificial,
and Natural Silk Fibers in the USSR,
Selected Years, 1955-57, and 1960 Plan ? ?
2. Estimated Production of Fabrics Made from
Manmade and Natural Fibers in the USSR,
Selected Years, 1955-57, and 1960 Plan . .
'Charts
Page
14
Following Page
Figure 1. USSR: Synthetic Fibers as Percentages
of Total Production of Manmade and
Silk Fibers, 1955 and 1960 Plan . . 12
Figure 2. USSR: Fabrics Made from Manmade and
Silk Fibers as Percentages of Total
Production of Textile Fabrics, 1955
and 1960 Plan 14
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CIA/RR 151 S-E-C-R-E-T
(ORR Project 30.1911)
PRODUCTION OF SYNTHETIC FIBERS AND FABRICS MADE FEOM SYNTHETIC FIBERS
IN THE USSR*
1957
Summary and Conclusions
Production of synthetic fibers and fabrics made from synthetic
fibers** is a development in which the USSR is not so far advanced
as the US and some other Western countries. Production of synthetic
fibers and fabrics in the USSR, although showing fairly large annual
increases in percentages, is still extremely small in absolute amounts.
It is estimated that in 1957 only 16,800 metric tons*** of synthetic
fibers were produced in the USSR, whereas, in 1956, US plants produced
more than 180,000 tons. Soviet plans for 1960 envision production of
synthetic fiber of 44,000 tons and of artificial fiber of 286,000 tons.
In 1957 the USSR is estimated to have produced 805 million linear meters
of fabrics from manmade fibers**** compared with 5.6 billion linear
meters of cotton. These increases will absorb 11 billion rublest in
investment, a sum one-fourth the investment in the entire light and
food industries during the Fifth Five Year Plan (1951-55).
Although the USSR is far behind in production of synthetic fibers,
the lag in research is not great, because much Western technology is
* The estimates and conclusions contained in this report represent
the best judgment of ORR as of 1 January 1958.
** Soviet terminology distinguishes between synthetic and artificial
fibers. Both synthetic and artificial fibers are manmade fibers. Syn-
thetic fibers -- for example, nylon, orlon, and dacron are chemically
based. Their basic chemicals are synthesized from such raw materials
as coal, petroleum, and natural gas by a linking reaction known as
polymerization. Artificial fibers (rayons) have a cellulose base,
not a chemical base, and are formed by a rearrangement of the basic
molecules. The term silk sometimes is used to include not only natural
(silkworm) silk but also all manmade (synthetic and artificial) fibers
for example, fibers known as synthetic silk, synthetic wool, synthetic
cotton, and synthetic linen. For fuller explanations of these and
other technical terms, see Appendix B.
*** Tonnages are given in metric tons throughout this report.
**** Including fabrics of natural silk and artificial and synthetic
fibers.
t The ruble-dollar ratio for conversion of rubles to US dollars
for total investment in the USSR is 6.8 to 1 (preliminary estimate).
This ratio applies to all investment conversions in this report.
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available for the taking and because Soviet scientists have demonstrated
their ability to apply such information in their own laboratories.
In the application of the methods resulting from laboratory effort,
however, difficulties begin to compound. The shift of administrative
control from the former ministerial level to the new position at the
level of the regional Council of National Economy (Sovet Narodnogo
Khozyaystva Sovnarkhoz) may have a retarding effect, and the reloca-
tion of research units at enterprises of the industry may bring oppo-
sition from scientists, thus increasing the delay. Machinery and
equipment which were confiscated from East German factories following
World War II are to be supplemented by purchases from the West, a
development which indicates that the Soviet machine building industry
is unable to expedite the' design and construction of machinery needed
for the new industry. Supplies of basic materials -- coal, petroleum,
and natural gas -- present no problem, but the processes of producing
and polymerizing the monomers (intermediate chemicals) are complicated,
and the further stages of fabrication are exacting processes of ex-
trusion and precipitation.
I. Introduction.
Synthetic fibers, generally considered to be materials for light
industry, serve in addition many industrial and military purposes,
most of which carry higher priorities than do consumer goods. For
example, the use of kapron for production of parachutes served to
stimulate growth of the new industry. Special properties which
commend kapron for parachute material indicate also its superiority
for other industrial uses. Examples of these uses are in tire cord,
industrial filtering devices, and towropes. New applications con-
stantly are being made for the use of kapron.
In light industry the need for supplementing supplies of natural
fibers and fabrics is great, and the potential uses of synthetic
fibers and of fabrics made from synthetic fibers appear very broad,
according to Western experience. The Soviet textile industry, in line
with world trends, is expected to lessen its dependence on production
of natural fibers and to increase sharply production of manmade fibers,
where expansion of production will be relatively easy compared with
expansion of production of natural fibers. Shortages of wool are
chronic, a problem made more serious because of extremely severe win-
ters and the need for warm clothing in the USSR.
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These problems of economic stress can be solved in great measure
by developing specific types of fiber and by increasing production of
these fibers to meet the growing demands. Kapron is a fiber similar
to silk, but types of kapron can be produced which resemble cotton
or wool. These may be woven in pure form or blended with natural
fibers, using much of the existing textile machinery.
Production of synthetic fibers and of fabrics made from synthetic
fibers in the USSR has developed only singe World War II, although
the USSR has conducted laboratory experiments in synthetics since the
late 1930's. The growth of the industry until recently has been
limited by its low priority in obtaining skilled manpower and by the
slow development of the petrochemical industry) its main supplier of
raw materials. Now, with Western countries setting a rapid pace,
Soviet industrial leaders want tb achieve increases in the quality
and quantity of consumer goods by pressing for greater production of
manmade fibers -- both synthetic and artificial.
In spite of the relatively low priority of most consumer goods
in Soviet industry, rapid advances in synthetic fibers and in fabrics
made from synthetic fibers now are being made. This increased effort
is not merely for the purpose of benefiting the consumer, because
industrial and military requirements are being served at the same time.
The Soviet textile industry, however, has been criticized by the Soviet
leadership for technic6.1 backwardness and obsolete machinery and for
its failure to produce manmade fibers comparable to those which are
popular abroad.
Although kapron, a type of nylon fiber, is the only synthetic
fiber produced in the USSR in large quantity, a number of other types
are in some stage of research or production by pilot plants. In this
report the various fibers and fabrics discussed usually are identified
by their Soviet names.*
II. Historical Background.
Development of the high-polymer chemistry of synthetic fibers
since its beginning in the 1930's has progressed in a most spectacular
manner, especially during 1948-58, when it provided new frontiers in
the development of synthetic products such as fibers, rubbers, and
plastics. Industrial advances have themselves stimulated research in
high polymer chemistry. 1/**
* For US, Soviet, and other names for synthetic fibers and fabrics,
see Appendix A. ,For an explanation of terms used in this report, see
Appendix B.
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Soviet activity in the field of synthetic fibers, largely academic
before World War II, had a fairly low priority during the immediate
postwar period, and progress has been slow in consequence. Since the
death of Stalin, and particularly during 1955-57, emphasis has been
placed on "catching up to the West" in the area of synthetics.
A. Development in the West.
Until 1939, when polyamide (nylon) fibers were introduced to
the market in commercial quantities, the only fibers of importance
other than natural fibers were the artificial fibers, fibers made from
chemically modified cellulose obtained from cotton linters or pulp-
wood. The polyamides were an entirely new class of fibers made from
synthetic chemicals which had their genesis in coal tar and petroleum
gases-. Contributing almost equally and simultaneously to earlier
development of synthetic fiber were E.I. du Pont de Nemours andCom-
pany, Incorporated, of the US, which marketed a product named nylon,
and I.G. Farben Industry, Incorporated, of Germany, which marketed a
product named perlon. These fibers were superior to any previously
available, and during World War II almost all production was used for
such applications as parachutes, glider towropes, and tire cord for
military and aircraft tires.
By 1945, production of -continuous filament nylon in the US
had reached 11,400 tons and in the UK about 455 tons per year. Pro-
duction of. perlon in Germany reached a wartime peak of 1,050 tons in
1943. 2/ Since 1945 the demand for synthetic fibers in the US has
continued to grow at a phenomenal rate. To meet this demand, pro-
duction has been expanded from a few thousand tons in 1940 to almost
182,000 tons in 1956. 2/ The relative importance of the various
types of synthetic fiber produced in 1957 in the US is shown accord-
ing to approximate percentages as follows12/:
Percentage
Type of Total Production
of Synthetic Fiber of Synthetic Fibers
Nylon 60.
Dacron 17
Vinyl, acrylic,
and other types 23
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B. Development in the USSR.
?
The Soviet synthetic fiber industry came into existence in the
late 1940's as part of the spoils of war. East German plants for
production of fiber of the nylon, or perlon, type were appropriated
and moved to the USSR, thus providing a readymade start for a synthetic
fiber industry. For example, soon after the close of World War II, a
Soviet delegation was sent to East Germany to dismantle the chemical
plant at Leuna/Merseburg. Approximately 75 percent of the perlon
equipment, together with all of that used in making adipic acid (one
of the components used in making the type of nylon developed by
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Incorporated), was moved to Plant
No. 96 at Dzerzhinsk. Polymerizing and spinning equipment also was
removed from German plants located at Schwarza, Wolfen, Premnitz, and
Landsburg-Warthe (520)4' N - 15014' E). These acquisitions were
sent for installation to the Klin artificial fiber plant located near
Moscow.
At the same time, some 40 German experts were sent to Dzerzhinsk
and Klin to supervise the erection of the confiscated equipment and to
design additional machinery for the USSR. Thus by means of mass ex-
ploitation the USSR with considerable ease acquired the basis for a
. synthetic fiber industry.
Removal of so much machinery from the East German plants netted
a double gain for the USSR. Not only was machinery acquired by the
USSR, but removal of this machinery left no market in Germany for polymers
produced at Leuna/Merseburg. Thus the USSR was able to add to produc-
tion of its own industry most of the production of the East German plants
left standing. Soviet imports of polymers at that time totaled 90 per-
cent of German production. 7/
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Because of the excellence of kapron for parachute material,
extensive use of it for production of parachutes in the USSR since
World War II is reasonably sure. As early as 1952,
production of synthetic fiber constituted a major factor 50X1
in Ttthe Soviet parachute threat." ?/
The extent to which kapron and similar synthetic fabrics have
been used for military purposes in contrast with their use for indus-
trial purposes or consumer goods cannot be judged in absolute terms,
because little is known of the allocation of production. Nevertheless,
the USSR has produced increasing amounts of synthetic fiber since 1950,
with only small quantities going into consumer goods. Thus military
and industrial uses presumably have taken priority, leaving only a
token quantity of synthetic fiber for light industry and other consumer
uses. More recently greater publicity is being given to these "miracle"
fibers as another encouraging prospect for Soviet consumers.
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Notwithstanding the general economic replanning now under way,
the original goal for 1960 remains the best guide to future Soviet
developments in synthetic fibers and in fabrics made from synthetic
fibers. Even as announcements were made of the decision to abandon
original plans in favor of a revision dating to 1965, official state-
ments referred to "unexpected industrial opportunities" afforded by
the development of synthetic fiber and other plastic materials.
C. Comparison of Production in the US and in the USSR.
Production of synthetic fiber in the US, compared with produc-
tion in the USSR since 1950, and the Soviet estimate for 1960' are as
follows in thousand tons:
Year
1950
1955
1956
1960 Plan
III. Organization.
US*
56
172
182
USSR
Negligible
9**
11**
44**
Until the reorganization of the administration of industry in
July 1957, Soviet production of synthetic fibers was subordinate to
the Ministry of the Chemical Industry, headed by S.M. Tikhomirov,
whereas the spinning and weaving processes were under the direction
of the Ministry of Light Industry. The Minister of Light Industry,
N.S. Ryzhov, who was appointed in September 1955 when the Ministry
for Industrial Consumer Goods was split into Light Industry and the
Textile Industry, was relieved of his duties in February 1957 so
that he might take a diplomatic post. No reference was seen to a
successor as Minister of Light Industry. 10/
In line with the reorganization of the administration of industry,
the Ministry of Light Industry was abolished in July 1957. Thus the
responsibility for administration passed to the new regional sovnar-
khozy (plural of sovnarkhoz) in which the plants were located. The
Ministry of the Chemical Industry is numbered among the four ministries
of industry and construction which have survived into 1958. 11/
*2]
** Taken from Table 1, p. 13, below.
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The proposal by Khrushchev for reorganization, which was presented
to the Supreme Soviet on 7 May 1957, pointed out that where ministries
were to be abolished the State Planning Committee (Gosudarstvennyy
Planovoy Komitet Gosplan) would be charged with (1) compilation of
plans, including plans for interrepublic supply of raw materials;
(2) rational distribution of enterprises throughout the country;
(3) technological development; and ()4.) improvement of. economic indexes.
Initiation of plans, Khrushchev pointed out, however, must start
at the enterprises and be continued by the corresponding sovnarkhoz
and the republic Gosplan. Only then would the plans be completed by
Gosplan. According to Khrushchev, such a practice would make possible
the maximum use of local resources and capacities for production and
would insure the rational distribution of production.
Technical research, when ministries are dissolved, will be set up
under the sovnarkhozy, thus moving important research closer to pro-
duction. Khrushchev further stated that the technology of production
must be increased at the level of the enterprise. Such an innovation
requires that research institutes be set up at leading enterprises or
that existing research institutes be turned over to such enterprises. 1E/
It is expected that in the future, therefore, research facilities
for developing synthetic fiber will be located at plants where these
fibers are produced.
Research at the various enterprises will be directed by the Admin-
istration of the Industry of Artificial and Synthetic Fiber (Upravleniye
Promyshlennosti Iskusstvennogo i Sinteticheskogo Volokna), a branch of
the Ministry of the Chemical Industry. 12/ Publication of scientific
achievements in the USSR and of accomplishments abroad is the respon-
sibility, among other tasks, of the State Scientific and Technical
Commission (Gosudarstvennaya Nauchnaya i Tekhnicheskaya Komissiya)
under the Council of Ministers. This committee replaces the former
State Committee for New Techniques (Gosudarstvennyy Komitet po Novoy
Tekhnike Gostekhnika).
Direction of the program for production of synthetic fiber, which
shifted at the time of reorganization, appeared at first to be balanced
precariously between two industries; the chemical industry, f6r which
a ministerial level was retained, and light industry, which had its
administration "regionalized." In effect, however, the direction of
both the chemical and light industrial phases of production are under
the sovnarkhozy. This change occurred at the time of reorganization,
when the administration of the plants and combines of the chemical
industry passed to the sovnarkhozy, leaving for the Ministry of the
Chemical Industry only the responsibility for coordinating plans and
controlling technological advancement. Thus the administration for
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production of fiber is under either the sovnarkhozy or even more
localized control.?
'The administration of the smaller plants and. shops of light indus-
try.has been relegated to a lower, level of control; Usually a committee
of local government. These- committees may be either oblast, rayon,
or city executive committees.
IV. Research and Technology.
Through 1957, Soviet specialists in the field of chemical fiber
have been reasonably successful in developing various processes basic
to production but considerably less successful .in solving many tech-
nical problems. Although following the path of US research, the USSR
leans heavily on the highly developed industry of East Germany for
guidance in both the laboratory and the plant.
A. Laboratory Research.
Soviet laboratory research in the development of synthetic'
fiber in 1957 was behind achievements in the US by approximately 2 or
3 years. This difference is, however, not so great as is' indicated
by the vast difference in production' of synthetic fiber in the two
countries. In the chemical and light industries of the USSR, imple-
mentation of industrial methods which result from laboratory research
has been slow. Soviet consumer industries lack the impetus of com-
petitive effort which has paced the progress of the industry in the
US and other Western countries. Now that the priority status of
production of synthetic fiber has been raised, this gap presumably
will begin to narrow'in the near future.
Soviet research in the development of synthetic fiber is
carried on in the chemical laboratories of establishments of higher
education, in chemical institutes of the Academy of Sciences of the
' USSR (Akademiya Nauk SSR), and in the academies of the national
republics. 14/ Some of the major research centers concerned with
research in Synthetic fiber are the following 15/: College for
Textile Engineers, Moscow; Karpov Institute, Moscow; Lomonosov Insti-
tute of Chemical Technology; Moscow; Mytishchi Institute, Mytishchi,
near Moscow; Kirov Institute for Fiber Research, Leningrad; Lenin-
grad Textile Institute, Leningrad; and Research Institute for Ele-
mentary Organic Compounds, Moscow.
In general the work done at the institutes tends to follow
US research. During the last 2 or 3 years the Soviet press has con-
tained announcements of Soviet "discoveries" which closely parallel
the structure of synthetic fibers that are in production in the US.
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A notable exception to this pattern was contained in a recent Soviet
announcement that the USSR had perfected the process for a new, fiber
called "ftorlon" made from copolymers containing fluorine. 16/ This
claim, if correct, represents an achievement which is significant
because the development of a fiber containing fluorine has been per-
fected only recently in the US. With this exception, Soviet research
in this field is considered to be 2 or 3 years behind the US. 11/
B. Cooperation Within the Soviet Bloc.
Although contacts between the USSR and East Germany have been
maintained throughout the postwar period on a casual basis, the past 3
years have shown a concentrated effort at close coordination between the
2 countties in particular, and among all countries of the Soviet Bloc in
general, in developing research and processes for synthetic fiber. 18/
During this time, high ministerial officials in the USSR have
held a series of conferences which demonstrate the importance that the
USSR attaches to intra-Bloc cooperation for techniCal progress. The
strongest bond in this area of interest is between the USSR and East
Germany because of the relatively great East German advance in this
field.* Semiannual meetings are held between specialists of the two
countries, a permanent acting committee on chemical fiber has been set
up, 22/ exchange of materials has been agreed upon, and a free flow
of technical information exists. 21/
More recently a sweeping attempt at complete cooperation of
all member nations of the Soviet Bloc in developing manmade fibers
was made by the Council of Mutual Economic Assistance (Sovet Ekonomi-
cheskoy Vzaymopomoshchi CEMA). In April 1957, delegations of
synthetic fiber specialists from all Communist countries convened '
for 10 days in East Germany. The stated purposes of these meetings
were as follows E2/: (1) coordination of technical and scientific
experimental work and work on designs and plans in the field of pro-
duction of synthetic fibers; (2) mutual exchange of technical infor-
mation, of most technical and scientific work, of basic data for
drawing up plans, and of specialist literature in the above-mentioned
fields; and (3) sending of specialists and scientists to research
institutes and planning offices for 1 year for exchange of experience,
joint work, participation in discussions, and specialist training.
* Tasks for the synthetic fiber industry in East Germany under the
East German Second Five Year Plan (1956-60) include (1) alteration
of synthetic wool to make it more similar to wool, (2) development
of fully synthetic fibers such as orlon and terylene, and (3) blend-
ing of synthetic and natural fibers to obtain optimum yarn character-
istics because mixed yarn is preferable in many respects to pure
wool. 12/
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Placement of Soviet technical and research personnel in Eastern
Europe for training may be under way already. The proposed plan was
to send persons from Soviet laboratories and plants in Klin, Kalinin,
Leningrad, and Kiev to Eastern Europe for training periods of a year.
Plants and institutes- which would receive these trainees are in East
Germany, Poland, and Czechoslovakia.
C. Interest in Western Technology.
Soviet interest in Western technolOgical development of syn-
thetic fiber was demonstrated in 1955, when the UK was approached by
a delegation of textile representatives on the subject of its terylene
process.* Serious efforts were made to obtain a license agreement
from Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited, of the UK for this process.
Although a UK delegation was sent to the USSR to consider this possi-
bility, agreement was never reached. Failure in this regard has been
attributed to the UK's insisting on the presence of its representatives
in plants under license from Imperial Chemicals Industries, Limited,
for the purpose of. checking, among other things, production records.
This stipulation was so unpalatable to the Soviet delegates that they
did not pursue the issue further. 22/
After the breakdown of the proposed negotiation with the UK,
a conference between Soviet and East German specialists in fiber was
held to consider further the terylene process. From this meeting
came the resolution to carry on a joint German-Soviet project in
terylene. To accomplish this project, a commission of high officials
from both countries was appointed. The immediate goal was to erect,
in the USSR, with the cooperation of German scientists, a terylene
plant with a capacity of 10,000 tons per year. 24/
Just how far the USSR has gone in achieving this goal has
not been determined, but another indication of progress is seen in
Soviet activity in plant construction. The USSR recently concluded
a contract with, the West German steel company, Frederick Krupp, In-
corporated,-for the construction of a plant to ,produce the Soviet
terylene fiber, lavsan. The value of the project has been stated at
$4 million 22/ although there is some question as to whether or not
this price is high enough to cover the entire cost of the plant.
In March of 1957 the USSR showed in yet another way its eager-
ness to tap Western technological resources in the field of synthetic
fibers by using, existing connections in the Economic Commission for
Europe (EcE). Specifically the Soviet proposal Was to extend the
* Terylene, or dacron,'fiber was developed by the UK in 1941 but was
not produced until after World War
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Industry and Materials Committee of the ECE into the field of artifi-
cial and synthetic fibers, establishing permanent working parties to
facilitate exchange of experiences pertaining to production and use
of artificial and synthetic fibers. The outcome of this proposal has
not been determined; but the prospects for its materializing appear to
be good, in line with the trend for a mutual exchange of ideas. 2_&
V. Growth.
A. Production and Plans.
Although a major revision in economic planning was announced
by the Soviet press late in 1957, production of synthetic-fiber will
not be affected adversely to any great extent. Details of the revi-
sion have not been made known, but a new 7-year production schedule
for 1959-65 is supposed to be forthcoming in 1958. In spite of this
apparent slowing down in economic development as a whole, growth in
production of synthetic fibers will not fall too short of the goal
for 1960. It is, indeed, conceivable that a greater increase could
be achieved because even as the changes in planning were announced,
the importance of synthetics was emphasized again. The goals for pro-
duction as originally set forth for 1960 remain the best guide to the
future for synthetic fibers in the USSR, and these goals are used in
this report.
Speaking in November 1957 at the celebration of the fortieth
anniversary of the Communist Revolution of 1917, Khrushchev called
for the creation within the next few years of a powerful "synthetic
fiber industry, which will enable us to use widely substitutes for
vegetable and animal materials ... to increase considerably the pro-
duction of good quality consumer goods and to bring down considerably
their production costs." He stated furthermore, Ne can speedily
widen the production of artificial fiber and high quality substitutes
for leather and fur in order to obtain, in addition to the growing
stream of natural raw material from agriculture, new and vast sources
of raw material."
Construction of new plants for producing fiber and renovation
of existing plants during the period of the original Soviet Sixth Five
Year Plan (1956-60), as planned, would add an annual productive capac-
ity of 225,000 tons of fiber including both artificial and synthetic
fibers. To finance this program of expansion, -a .substantial invest-
ment fund of 11 billion rubles was provided. 2// This sum amounts to
about one-fourth of the investment in the entire ligbt and food indus-
tries during the Fifth Five Year Plan (1951-55).
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1. Fiber.
Soviet production of synthetic fibers in 1957 is estimated
to be 16,800 tons. (See Table 1.*) US production in 1956 exceeded
180,000 tons. The following tabulation 'shows the probable distribu-
tion of types of fibers in the total Soviet production of synthetic
fibers.
Type of Fibers
Metric Tons**
Kapron (nylon 6)
8,000
Anid (nylon 66)
Nitron (orlon)
300
Khlorin and other
100
Total
8,800
Natural silk, the product of the silkworm industry, makes up about
2 percent of total production of natural and manmade fibers, as shown
in Figure 1.*** Production of synthetic fibers compared with produc-
tion of artificial and natural silk fibers in 1955 (according to Soviet
announcements), in 1956 and 1957 (according to estimates), and in 1960
(according to Soviet plans) is shown in Table 1.*
In the USSR the artificial fiber industry already is well
developed, whereas the synthetic fiber industry is still in its in-
fancy. It is not surprising, therefore, that the 1960 goal for pro-
duction of synthetic fibers is highly ambitious, especially because the
demand for synthetic fibers continues to mount. Production of artifi-
cial fibers by 1960 is planned to be almost 3 times that of 1955, whereas
production of synthetic fibers will reach 5 times that of 1955, according
to the plan. In absolute terms, production of synthetic fibers by 1960
is to be 44,000 tons in contrast with production of approximately 9,000
tons in 1955. Even if this goal is reached, synthetic fibers will amount
to only 13 percent by weight of total Soviet production of manmade fibers.
A measure of progress of the fiber industry in the USSR
is seen in the relationship between plans for production of artificial
and synthetic fibers. In countries further advanced in this field,
?* Table 1 follows on p. 13.
** The division of total production among the various fibers has been
estimated on the basis of capacities of plants. For a list of these
plants, see Appendix C.
*** Following p. 12.
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USSR:
g.TRIUGME
1955
FIBERS
MANMADE
AND
PERCENT
AGES
FIBERS,
NATURAL SILK
26407 2-58
SYNTHETIC
FIBER
19.55
TOT
AND
Figure 1 50X1
PRODUCTION
1960
PLAN
1960 Plan
NATURAL SILK
0.8%
(Percentage in terms of Metric Tons)
SYNTHETIC
FIBER
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I.
Table 1
Estimated Production of Synthetic, Artificial, and Natural Silk 'Fibers
in the USSR'
Selected Years, 1955-57, and 1960 Plan
Type of Fiber
1955 1956 1957 1960 Plan ,1960 Plan
as Percentage
Thousand Metric Tons of 1955
Artificial fiber
Synthetic fiber
Natural silk
Total
101.7 2/
8.8
2.2 d/
112.7
118.6
10.3
2.2
131.1
2/
2/
2/'
132.2
16.8
23/
151.3
2/
21
286.0 12/
44.012/
2.5 2/
332.5
281
500
114
295
a. For methodologyi see Appendix D.
c. 30/. For methodology, see APpendixD.
d.
e. Estimated on 'p./le premise that no more than a gradual increase for
the natural silk industry can be expected.
the trend is toward a Slowing -down of production of types of artificial
fiber aS production of synthetic fiber,is developed. At this point in
the development of Soviet production of fiber, however, production_of
artificial fiber, it is estimated, will almost triple between 1955. and,
1960. In-the US, since 1950 production of artificial fiber has declined,
whereas the synthetic fiber industry has been expanding rapidly.
Soviet production of synthetic fiber per capita in 1955 was
approximately 50 grams, an amount equal to only 5 percent of US prbduc-
tion per capita. .Soviet production of artificial fiber per capita
amounted to about 500 grams in 1955, a quantity equal to approximately
14 percent of US production per capita.
2. 'Fabric,
In the over-all production of fabrics from natural and
manmade fibers, fabrics made from artificial,and synthetic fibers
are gaining in relative importance, as shown in Figure 2.* Moder-
ate increases in ptoduction of cotton and wool fabric were scheduled
during the originaI-Sixth Five Year Plan (1956-60), but Milk"
* Following p. 14.
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fabric (all types of artificial fibers, synthetic fibers, and natural
silk fibers) is expected to increase more than 100 percent. Accord-
ing to official statements, only about 10 percent of the category, ..
total "silk," was natural silk fabric in 1955, and no special emphasis
on expansion of this phase of the industry is expected.
Production of fabric from silk and manmade fibers in re-
lation to production of other textiles by: the Ministry of Light Indus-
try is shown in millions of linear meters in Table 2.
- Table 2
Estimated Production of Fabrics Made from Manmade and Natural Fibers
in the USSR
Selected Years, 1955-57, and 1960 Plan
1960 Plan
1955 2/
1956 2/ 1957 12/ 1960 Plan
as ?
Percentage
Type of Fabric
Million Linear Meters
of 1955
Cotton
5,905
5,452 5,600 7,270
123
Linen
306
383 425 556
182
Manmade fibers d
526 2/
754 805 1,074
204
Wool
252
268 282 363
144
a. 2/
b. ..14/
c.
d. Ihcluding fabrics of natural silk and artificial and synthetic
fibers.
e. In 1955, 90 percent of:all "silk" fabrics were made from artificial
and synthetic fibers, according to official statements.
In line with the Soviet policy of developing alternative
sources of raw materials to supplement agricultural raw materials
used by light industry, substantial increases will be realized through
increased production of types of synthetic fiber already developed and
by introducing new types into production.
It is important that the plan for total production of
"silk" fabrics (including all fabrics made from artificial and synthetic
fibers) in 1957 allowed for a mere 6-percent increase in comparison with
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USSR:
FABRICS
PERCENTAGES
MADE
FROM
TOTAL
1955
MANMADE
PRODUCTION
AND
1960
PLAN
AND
CUI TEM@
FIBERS
FABRICS
Figure 2 50X1
1.955
26408 2-58
FABRICS MADE FROM
ARTIFICIAL AND SYNTHETIC
FIBERS AND NATURAL SILK
1960 Plan
WOOL
(Percentage in terms of Linear Meters)
FABRICS MADE FROM
ARTIFICIAL AND SYNTHETIC
FIBERS AND NATURAL SILK
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production in 1956, a development which forecast difficulty in achieving
the original goal for 1960. Annual increases of approximately 15 percent
during 1956-60 would be required to raise production to the level of
1,074 million linear meters by 1960. Because production of "silk" is
relatively small, however, a large percentage change could result from
the activation of 1 or 2 additional plants.
. Supplementing of Natural Fibers.
The Soviet textile industry, if it is to continue to expand
from 1957 on, must lessen its dependence on production of the natural
fibers -- cotton, wool, silk, and linen -- and must increase supplies
of manmade fibers or turn increasingly to Imports. Although the USSR
is faced with plans for rapid growth of the textile industry, basic
domestic raw materials for this industry are inadequate to support
expansion. Because the basic materials for the textile industry are
agricultural products, the expansion program for production of syn-
thetic fiber is fundamentally related tb agriculture. Weakness in
the supply of basic material was demonstrated recently in production
of cotton cloth. Because of a poor yield of cotton in the previous
year, production of this important fabric in 1956 failed to meet the
plan and even dropped to less than 1955 production by more than 400 mil-
lion linear meters. 1V
Synthetic fibers have many advantages as supplementary materials
to the natural fibers which now principally support the textile industry.
The chief advantage,, once the industry is developed, will be that of
economy, because the materials basic to production of synthetic fiber.
are largely coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Thus the supply of raw
materials is not expected to become a problem. Furthermore, synthetic
fibers may be blended with natural fibers or woven unmixed, using much
of the textile machinery already existing. For example, not only is
blending synthetic fiber with wool possible, but the processes of spin-
ning and weaving are actually facilitated by blending. A further
advantage is that synthetic fibers may be produced in numerous forms
with many combinations of desirable properties, some of which are not
found in natural fibers. For example, resilient, woollike fibers from
lavsan or nitron for knitted or worsted fabrics are quick drying and
do not shrink; strong monofilament types, such as kapron, are superior
for hosiery, lingerie, and other knitwear because of their wearing
qualities; and various staple types are suitable for many kinds of
artificial furs.
Textiles for industrial and military uses require numerous
special properties which may be developed from synthetic fibers. Some
important properties in which various synthetic fibers show to advan-
tage over other competing fibers are (1) tensile strength, (2) resistance
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to wear, (3) resistance to shrinkage, (4) resistance to wrinkling,
(5) ability to withstand high temperatures, and (6) resistance to
mildew and moth damage.
An additional advantage to the USSR in solving shortages of
fabric by use of synthetic fiber is that 1 metric ton of fiber is
sufficient to produce up to 15,000 meters of cloth, or almost twice
the amount produced on the average from an equivalent weight of
cotton. In linen and woolen materials the difference is even greater.
VI. Types of Fibers.
Although kapron is at present the only synthetic fiber in the USSR
important from the point of view of production, Soviet technical lit-
erature contains much material on most of the types well known in the
US. In addition to-kapron, a few types are in limited commercial
production or are produced on the basis of pilot plants. Other types
may be in some stage of laboratory research. For some types, the prog-
ress of Soviet researchers hardly has gone further than mere perusal
of Western journals.*
A. Types of Nylon.
1. Kapron.
Kapron is the Soviet name of a fiber that belongs to the
nylon, or polyamide, group. Kapron is one of the two main types of
polyamides produced in the world to date, the other being nylon 66,
which was developed by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Incorpo-
rated, of the US, and chosen for commercial production in the US.
Perlon was developed by Germany from the caprolactum base and became
available in that country by 1940. It is the chief synthetic fiber
in the European Satellites, where it is produced under several dif-
ferent names.
Caprolactum for Soviet production of kapron is manufactured
at Plant No. 96 in Dzerzhinsk. Production by this plant of caprolactum
supplies the Klin plant and possibly the Kiev plant for their poly-
merization and extrusion processes. The plants at Klin and Kiev pro-
duce no caprolactum.
2. Anid.
The USSR recently has developed a type ei" nylon 66 named
anid, and small amounts are being produced. According to Soviet
laboratory experience, anid surpasses kapron in strength, resistance
* For a listing of types of fiber and their components, see Appendix A.
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to light, heat stability, and resilience. Intended uses for anid are
largely industrial although its merits for'use in light industry are
recognized. 36/
3. Enant.
The USSR has reported development of another fiber of the
nylon group.
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Soviet,scientists claim that enant fiber is superior to kapron in
elasticity, durability, and simplicity of production. .
4. Rilsan.
Rilsan, which was developed in France from castor beans,
is becoming increasingly important in that country and to some extent
abroad. Although the USSR has claimed mastery of this process, a
thorough study of the possibilities of production results in the con-
clusion that no rilsan is being made in the USSR. Reasons for this
conclusion are th6,t (a) the process is more costly than other processes
for producing nylon, though physically simpler, and (b) the basic
commodity, castor beans, are a strategic item already in short supply
throughout much of the world.
B. Lavsan.
Lavsan, which is of the polyester type, is at present the only
fiber-forming polyester of commercial significance in the USSR or in
any country. 38/ In the UK, where the polymer was discovered and the
process developed, the fiber is named terylene.
The USSR in 1955 initiated an intensive campaign to perfect a
method for producing lavsan. Having failed to negotiate successfuly
for the British process with Imperial Chemical Industries, ? Limited,
of the UK, the USSR made arrangements with East Germany for a joint
effort to develop a process for lavsan. By the end of 1956, East
German scientists in their research on lavsan had reported progress
successful enough to begin commercial production. 39/ Following this
development the USSR in 1957 negotiated a contract with Frederick Krupp,
Incorporated, in West Germany for construction of a $4-million plant
in the USSR to produce lavsan.
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Lavsan? has been chosen by Soviet experts on textiles as the
best synthetic fiber which may be substituted for wool. 40/ This
decision accounts for the magnitude of effort which the USSR has
exerted to obtain the process for lavsan because wool is generally
a scarce commodity.
C. Orlon and Related Types.
Orlon and related types of fibers, of which the USSR produces
small quantities, are known scientifically as the vinyl and acrylic
group and are related by the nature of the basic chemicals involved
rather than by a similarity of properties of the fibers themselves.
This group includes not only such woollike fibers as orlon and acri-
lan, which are suitable for clothing, but also the smooth, tough
monofilaments such as saran, which are used in luggage, footwear,
and upholstery. The USSR is producing small quantities of two of the
fibers of this group, nitron and khlorin, and is experimenting with
others of these fibers.
1. Nitron.
Nitron is of great importance because of its woollike
properties. Discovery of this fiber is claimed by Y.S. Roskin of the
Leningrad Textile Institute. After .4,years of research in synthetic
fibers, he reportedly produced polyacrylonitrile using coal, petro-
leum, lime, and nitrogen./ The process actually was developed by
the US, and pilot production began in 1946.
Nitron has been produced commercially on a limited basis
in the USSR since 1955. Some quantities of nitron are produced at
the Kalinin Artificial Fiber Combine, north of Moscow. Although
knowledge on the use of nitron is incomplete, some consignments are
known to have been made to plants of the woolen industry, where
nitron fibers presumably were blended with wool before weaving. Ni-
tron is.noted for its resemblance to wool in qualities of warmth,
high durability; resistance to shrinkage and creasing, and ease of
laundering.
2., Khlorin.
Khlorin is a polyvinylchloride fiber already in production
in the USSR. Khlorin is made from a thermoplastic material, which
means that it is softened by heat and hardened into shape by cooling.
Properties of khlorin include resistance to chemicals, stains, abra-
sion, corrosion, and moisture. Khlorin, which is not flammable, is
.tough and-flexible. Although the specific use of this fiber In Soviet
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industry cannot be detelmined, its application in the US is made
largely in the footwear and upholstery industries.
3. Vinyon and Acrilan-
Other types of vinyl and acrylic fibers. mentioned.in
Soviet research literature are vinyon and acrilan (the US terms are
used by Soviet writers). These fibers are still in experimental
production, in the USSR: there is no commercial production.
Vinyon in staple form blends' withcotton or wool for
use in felt and in fabrics in which creases or folds must be re-
tained. Fabrics of vinyon monofilament yarn are suitable for acid-
and alkali-resistant clothing, shower curtains, fireproof awnings,
and other industrial uses..
Vinyon is a silklike filament suitable for dress goods,
rainwear, and a number of industrial uses. In its staple form
(monofilament cut to the length of wool Or other natural fiber),
vinyon is an excellent substitute for Wool in clothing and blankets.
Acrilan is also woollike in character and blends well
with natural wool fiber or with rayon.
D. Other Types.
Casein fiber and glass fiber are synthetic fibers, which,
although of lesser importance in production of consumer goods, are
known to be produced in the USSR.
1. Casein Fiber.
Several plants in the vicinity of Moscow reportedly were
producing' casein fiber in 1955. 42/ Casein fiber is significant in
the over-all fiber.industry only because the process is known and
production has been accomplished. .Because production of casein fiber
is based on the important and still-somewhat-scarce food product,
milk, it has been doubtful from the start that interest in this fiber
would become' morethan academic.
This doubt was' confirmed by Khrushchev in 1956 when at
the Twentieth Party Congress he said, 'Up-to now a great quantity
of foodstuffs have been used for the production of technical items ...
All these things can be successfully substituted' for with byproducts
from the refining of oil, coal, and natural gas. By all means, by
the' end of the Sixth Five Year Plan L1956-627 we must insure that
foodstuffs used for technical purposes are supplanted by synthetic
raw materials." 43/
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2. Glass Fiber.
Glass fiber is principally an industrial commodity used
as insulating material in electrical installations, as building in-
sulation and soundproofing, and as filtering material in air cleaners.
In the area of consumer goods, glass fiber is used in curtain and
draping cloth and in fireproof fabric.
In the USSR, glass fiber is used exclusively for indus-
trial purposes, although glass fiber fabrics may be used for produc-
tion of consumer goods in the future. The lack of glass fiber tex-
tiles may be a result of the greater precision required to produce
fiber pure enough for production of textiles -- a purity which must
equal the better grades of optical glass.)2.)J The molten glass must
be free of bubbles, which ultimately would weaken the fabric, causing
breaks in the weave.
The USSR-claimed to be increasing production of glass
fiber under the original Sixth Five Year Plan (1956-60). Production
in 1960 is scheduled to total 5,000 tons. 45/ Previously, only about
one-half of the Soviet demand had been supplied by Soviet industry,
the remainder coming from plants in Czechoslovakia producing glass
fiber.
VII. Uses.
A. Light Industry.
Synthetic fiber has been welcomed as a superior raw material
by Soviet light industry because it offers a combination of cheapness,
fineness, and strength in yarn materials. The great bulk of synthetic
fiber produced goes to the traditional textile mills where it is
processed into pure synthetic yarns or blended with other fibers. The
silk industry at present receives the greater part of synthetic fiber
although the woolen industry will receive an increasing share as pro-
duction of substitutes for wool increases.
In spite of problems of adaptation to conventional machinery,
the various types of synthetic fibers are being processed on existing
spinning and weaving equipment. In certain cases, mechanical altera-
tions are necessary. In other cases, adaptation is achieved by alter-
ing the character of the fiber itself.
1. Silk Industry.
A UK textile man has stated that "there is no trade where
one is more aware that the old name has lost all real Meaning than in
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the silk trade." This statement is no less true in the USSR than in
Western countries, where the silk industry is concerned almost entirely
with manmade fibers.
Between World War I and World War II, artificial fiber
and fabric made from artificial fiber proved such an attractive sub-
stitute for natural silk that the industry in the Western world was
revolutionized. During the era after World War II, with the advent
of synthetic fibers in quantity, a second revolution has been under
way.)2.& In the USSR this new revolution is just beginning, at a
time when the first revolution -- that in artificial fiber -- has not
yet reached its peak.
In the USSR, as in the West, synthetic fiber entered the
consumer goods market as a product of the knitwear industry, particu-
larly in the manufacture of full-fashioned hosiery. Supplies recently
have been more abundant than in earlier postwar years, but prices
continue to be prohibitive for general wear on a scale comparable to
that in the West.
In Western textile trades it is considered unique that
raw material for production of hosiery has changed twice within 30
years -- from silk and cottonto artificial fiber and from artificial
fiber to nylon. In the USSR this development has not occurred. Of
the raw materials which supported Soviet hosiery mills in 1955, only
9 percent was kapron, whereas 10 percent was rayon, 79 percent cotton,
and 2 percent wool. 47/
2. Wool Industry.
Although synthetic fiber of woollike character is produced
in the USSR in extremely limited quantities, the potential of syn-
thetic fibers in this industry is great. Additions of cotton or arti-
ficial fiber to the spinning and weaving processes tend to cheapen the
product, but synthetic fiber in some cases increases the acceptability
of high-quality wool fabric. It has been found in Western industry
that even in the so-called 100-percent wool fabrics the addition of
2 to 5 percent of nylon facilitates spinning and weaving by reducing
breakages. Experimental blending indicates that for acrilan, dynel,
and orlon up to 30 percent 9f these fibers may be added to the wool
with little change in properties of the material. Blends of wool with
synthetic fibers in knitted products increases resistance to wear and
prevents felting and shrinkage from laundering.
Even limited additions of synthetic fiber to the Soviet
wool industry will make possible improved blends with new, reused, or
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reclaimed wool and with other traditional fibers. Thus will be opened
development of entirely new and more varied yarns and fibers.
3. Other Consumer Industries.
In the use of synthetics in wearing apparel, a field where
so much has been accomplished in the West in the period after World
War II, the USSR hardly has made a start. Except for kapron stockings,
few articles of apparel are produced from synthetic fibers. Neverthe-
less, Soviet planners are aware of the progress made abroad and of
the advantages to be gained in the Soviet economy by rapid development
of synthetic fiber. One of the major advantages to the USSR will be
to ease somewhat the pressures on the Soviet agricultural system.
Recently, however, the apparent willingness of the government to make
concessions to the consumer has added new interest to synthetic fiber
as a raw material for light industry. Some of the characteristics of
synthetic fibers for apparel which are lacking in traditional fibers
are (a) adaptability for blending, (b) qualities of "wash and wear,"
(c) wrinkle resistance, (d) greater tensile strength and resistance
to abrasion, and (e) variety in texture and surface appearance.
To a lesser extent, other uses of synthetic fiber have
been made in light industry in the USSR. Pile fabrics of kapron,
which resemble various types of natural fur, and various other plush
fabrics are produced in limited quantities. In the footwear industry,
kapron net fabric is being used as a supplementary material in com-
bination with leather and artificial leather.
B. Nonconsumer.
Aside from its uses in textiles and clothing, synthetic fiber
is important in production of military items, especially parachutes,
and in filling various industrial needs. In the US during World War II,
military and industrial applications increased rapidly as new fibers
were developed. The USSR presumably will develop a similar pattern
of applications, and in a number of areas this pattern already has
begun.
. Military.
As a parachute cloth, kapron rates high in providing the
special qualities desired and surpasses silk, which was in general use
before synthetic fiber became available. In the USSR kapron has been
available for use in parachutes since about 1950. Important physi-
cal properties of kapron include (a) high tensile strength, permit-
ting sheer but tough fabric which is light in weight; (b) high dimen-
sional stability with excellent recovery from strains; (c) superior
resistance to abrasion, which affords long wear; (d) low moisture
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absorption with high strength when wet; and (e) successful storage
for indefinite periods without danger of mildew or decomposition-.
In military clothing, synthetic fiber, has provedvaluable.
Certain qualities in garments are improved by the use of synthetic
fiber either in purely synthetic fabrics or blends with conventional
fibers. For example, a wool fabric for uniforms may be improved by
additions of synthetic fiber to provide better surface characteristics,
a longer life for the garment, and the ability to retain a permanent
crease.. In the US, orlon types of synthetic fiber were approved in
1951 for blending with all-wool fabrics for uniforms, after scienti-
fic tests proved the blend to be superior to pure wool fabrics.
Blankets made of orlon and similar types of fiber used
by the military services are in some ways superior to wool blankets,
because these blankets do not shrink, are light in weight, and,
being quick to dry, launder more easily than wool. The US military
services also have approved synthetic fiber of the orlon type for
use in drapery fabric, in aircraft upholstery, and under conditions
where nonflammability especially is desired. /2?/
2. Industrial.
Industrial applications of synthetic fibers are based
primarily on their superlative strength and their resistance to heat,
abrasion, and the action of chemicals. Not all of these character-
istics are equally important in every application, nor does every
type of fiber possess characteristics to the same degree of perfection.
For example, the nylon types, being exceedingly strong,
are suitable for tire cord and are especially valuable for tires on
heavy airplanes, where the tires are subject to sudden loads during
landing. For casings of automobile tires, Soviet test results showed
that "cord from polyamide fiber increases the life of tires 5.nd that
th27 quality of tires, particularly heavy truck tires made from kapron
cord is raised not less than 30 percent ... . By raising the life of
tires from polyamide cord it is possible to obtain a saving of not less
than 150 million rubles per million tires."/22/ A further saving of
20 percent of the rubber required for the tire industry is anticipated
by the industrial planners. 50/
During the years immediately ahead the USSR hopes to
raise the share of kapron cordused in its production of tires, al-
though the present Soviet use of kapron cord in tires is small.
According to published data, of tires currently produced in the USSR,
70 percent are of cotton cord and., 30 percent are. of viscose and
kapron cord. 51/
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Strength again is the determining factor in the use of
nylon types of synthetic fiber for towropes and many other types of
rope and cord. Other properties give additional advantages such as
lightness of weight and the characteristic of quick drying.
In some, but not all, filtering devices, types of nylon
are superior to other types of synthetic fiber. Nylon filter cloths
have high wet strength and are useful for alkaline or neutral liquids
but not for acids. For dye bags and laundry nets these fibers are
knit into fabrics which have a low moisture absorption and a long
working life.
The dacron type is successful as an industrial fabric
because of heat resistance and dimensional stability. These prop-
erties in turn provide economies in lengthening the life of the,
device in' industry. Uses include filters for fertilizer plants
and wool grease recovery plants, appliCation in silica sand sepa-
ration where abrasion is high, and the like. In the electrical
field the potential of dacron is large and varied, with dacron's
being used wherever there is need for a combination of strength,
flexibility, and good insulating properties. High wet strength,
low moisture absorption, and resistance to mildew are additional
excellent properties.
Orlon and related types of fiber share certain features
of nylon and are free of some of its shortcomings. In other proper--
ties such as strength and toughness, they are inferior to nylon. In
qualities needed for industrial use these fibers offer superior -
chemical resistance, greater modulus of stretch, and increased dimen-
sional stability. These fibers are used in dust fume bags, in nettings
for dye houses and laundries, and as bonding fibers and fabrics. The
property of chemical resistance permits many varied uses of these
fibers as industrial fabrics in the chemical industry.
VIII.- Capabilities, Limitations, and Intentions.
?
A. Capabilities.
From a long-range point of view, the USSR is capable of ex-
panding and developing its Synthetic fiber industry in a manner
comparable with development in the US. The potential for such an
industry in the USSR appears great, but the low priority to Which it
has been relegated until recently has tended to retard laboratory
research. In addition, low priority has retarded the initiation of
new processes necessary to the expansion of the industry. For ex-
ample, althougb the process for nitron has been mastered in the
laboratory, the USSR intends to purchase a plant in West Germany
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to put the fiber into production. In the West, meanwhile, competition
among the industrial companies developing synthetic fiber has stimu-
lated great progress in both research and production.
Since the death of Stalin, and particularly during the period
1956-60, the USSR has shown an intense interest in synthetic materials,
and plans for production of fiber have been accelerated. To the good
fortune of the builders of the industry, raw materials basic to produc-
tion are plentiful, and technological information from journals of
Western industry is abundant.
B. Limitations.
At present, one limitation of the synthetic fiber industry
in the USSR appears to be shortages of qualified specialists and
skilled workers reqpired to man the various phases of production.
These shortages result in an inability to implement processes worked
out by research. Another limitation is the failure of the machine
building industry to design and produce equipment needed for the new
processes. This failure forces the USSR to place considerable re-
liance on foreign-made machinery.
C. Intentions.
,Developments in the synthetic fiber industry in the USSR at
this time do not reflect present Soviet military intentions. The in-
dustry is needed badly from the point of view of the consumer although
up to now-both military and civilian needs have been served by the
meager production of the industry. In the case of an emergency for
war, however, the greatly expanded industry envisioned by the plan-
ners would be ready to meet the increased military demands and would
require, in the process of conversion, a minimum of changes in opera-
tions of the plants ,
The USSR intends to accelerate expansion of the synthetic
fiber industry at a rate much greater than that for other branches
of light industry in order (1) to introduce new types of fibers as
another demonstration of scientific progress, (2) to relieve some of
the pressures on the agricultural sector for raw materials to support
production by light industry, (3) to improve the supply and quality
of clothing and other types of consumer goods, and (4) to satisfy
needs for special materials for industrial applications and for mili-
tary uses.
?
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APPENDIX A
TYPES OF SYNTHETIC FIBERS AND THEIR COMPONENTS*
Group
Polyamide
Polyester
Vinyl and
acrylic
Fluorides
US Name Soviet Name
Intermediate
Chemicals
Nylon 6 Kapron** Caprolactum
Nylon 66 Anid Polyhexamethylene-
adipamide
Nylon 7
Nylon 11
Dacron
Vinyon
Vinyon N
Enant
Rilsan
Amino-enanthic acid
Sebacic acid
Lavsan*** Polyethylene
terephthalate
Vinyon XXX* Vinylchloride and
vinylacetate
Vinylchloride and
acrylonitrile
Vinyon
NX XXX
Orlon Nitron or Polyacrylonitrile
nitrilon
Acrilan Acrilan**** Acrylonitrile plus
other polymers
Geon Khlorin Polyvinyl chloride
Saran Soviden
Vinylidine chloride
Teflon Ftorlon Tetrafluoroethylene
22/
In Germany this fiber is named perlon.
In the UK this fiber is named terylene.
The terms vinyon, vinyon N, and acrilan
in the USSR, apparently having no Soviet
in staple form, is named dynel.
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Basic Materials
Petroleum or
coal tar
Petroleum, coal
tar, or agri-
cultural wastes
Coal tar
Castor oil
Petroleum or
coal tar
Natural gas or
coal
Acetylene, chlo-
rine, and petro-
leum or coal tar
Petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum
coal and
(NaCl)
Petroleum
coal and
(NaCl)
Petroleum
or
salt
or
salt
are US terms but are used
counterpart. Vinyon N,
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APPENDIX B
GLOSSARY
A technical study of production of synthetic fibers and of fabrics
made from synthetic fibers in the USSR requires the use of special
terms. Further complicating the use of these terms, a number of them,
especially names of fibers, have other names in the US, the UK, and
Germany, and these other names must be used in conjunction with the
country producing the fiber. Whenever feasible, the Soviet names are
used in this report, and in this glossary the pertinent foreign equiva-
lents of names of fibers are presented in each case. When a definition
in this glossary contains a technical term, this term, in turn, is
explained in a separate entry in the g3ossary. Definitions of terms
are based primarily on Linton, George E:, The Modern Textile Dictionary,
Boston: Duell, Sloan and Pearce -- Little, Brown and Company, 1954;
Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language, second
edition, unabridged, Springfield, Massachusetts: G. and C. Merriam
Company, Publishers, 1934 (reprinted several times, with additions,
through 1955); and The Van Nostrand Chemist's Dictionary, New York:
D. Van Nostrand Company, Incorporated, 1953.
Acrilan. A product of Chemstrand Corporation of the US. It is an
acrylic fiber which has many characteristics comparable to wool, such
warmth, softness, stability, recovery from wrinkling, and resistance
to deterioration. Although acrilan is used mainly in blending with
wool, it also is blended with viscose artificial fiber. Up to now in
the Soviet press the term used in the USSR has been the same as in the US.
Anid. The Soviet term for nylon 66 which is derived from poly-
hexamethyleneadipamide, a derivative of petroleum, coal tar, or agri-
cultural wastes. (See Nylon 66.)
Artificial Fiber. A term synonymous with rayon fiber. Artificial
fibers are cellulose based, not chemically based, fibers. The process
is one of rearrangement of the cellulose molecules rather than chemi-
cal change. Basic materials are woodpulp and cotton linters.
Caprolactum. An intermediate product in the synthesis of kapron.
Its source is phenol, which usually is derived from coal tar.
Casein Fiber. Synthetic protein fiber made from casein precipi-
tated from skim milk. When cut to staple length, the fiber has many
of the properties of wool. Lanital, an Italian product, was the first
casein fiber to appear in the trade.
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Copolymer. The product of polymerization when 2 or more different
monomeric substances are used instead of 1. Nylon is an example of a
copolymer.
Cotton Linters. The short cotton fibers which cover the seeds of
cotton after the fiber has been removed at the cotton gin. Among its
uses is that of a raw material in the manufacture of artificial fibers.
Dacron. A polyester textile fiber produced by E.I. du Pont de
NeMours and Company, Incorporated, of the US. Dacron was develOped
in England under the name of terylene,. and US rights were granted
in 1946.- It i8 a.condensation polymer-obtained"from ethylene glycol
and terephthalic acid. The fiber in no way is related chemically to -
nylon or orlon. Staple fiber of dacron blends excellently withwool.
Dacron filament yarn finds use in household and clothing fabrics and
ha S numerous industrial uses. In the USSR this fiber is called lavsan.
(See Lavsan and Terylene.)
Denier.. A unit expressing the fineness of silk, artificial fiber,
or nylon yarns in terms of weights in grams per 9,000 meters of length.
Thus 100-denier yarn is finer than 150-denier yarn.
Dynel. A staple fiber spun from a copolymer of acrylonitrile and '
vinyl chloride. The name distinguishes it from the older vinyon yarns
developed by Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation of the US. Features
of this fiber include strength, warmth, quick-drying properties, and
good dimensional stability. It is acid and alkali resistant and is -
not flammable. (See Vinyon.)
?-Enant. The Soviet name for nylon 7 when derived from amino-
enanthic acid, which is, in turn, a derivative of furfural. (See
Nylon 7.)
Ester.. A compound formed by replacement of the hydrogen of an
acid by a hydrocarbon radical.
? Geon. Polyvinylchloride fiber produced by the B.F. Goodrich Com-
pany of the US. Geon is a monofilament, and fabric woven of geon fiber
is used largely in upholstery material. In the USSR this type of
fiber is known as khlorin. (See Polyvinyl Fiber and Khlorin.)
Glass Fiber. Textile fibers and yarns produced Prom g)ass which,
when drawn fine enough, can be woven into strong, flexible fabrics.
Glass fiber is produced in both monofilament and staple form.
Intermediates. Materials formed by the chemical processing of
basic raw materials which must be subjected to further chemical re-
actions to yield the final product.
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Kapron. The synthetic fiber in greatest production in the USSR.
In the US this fiber is named nylon 6 and in East Germany perlon.
The intermediate chemical is caprolactum, which is derived from petro-
leum or coal tar. (See Nylon 6 and Perlon.)
Khlorin The Soviet term for the polyvinylchloride fiber.geon.
(See Polyvinyl Fibers and Geon.)
LaVsan. ?The Soviet name for the US polyester fiber, dacron, and
the British fiber, terylene. (See Dacron and Terylene.)
Manmade Fiber. A composite term which includes fibers synthe-
sized either from cellulose or from chemical bases. Manmade fibers
are neither of plant nor of animal origin in the traditional sense.
Thus the term manmade fibers includes artificial and synthetic fibers.
Monofilament; A continuous filament or strand from artificial or
synthetic material -- that is, the filament is uncut as is staple fiber.
Monomer. A single molecule, or a substance consisting of single
molecules, having a relatively low molecular weight. In relation to.
synthetic fiber, a monomer is the simple.unpolymerized form of a com-
pound and thus is differentiated from a polymer.
Nitron. The Soviet name:for the acrylic fiber, orlon. (See Orlon.)
Nylon 6. A type of nylon produced in countries of the Soviet Bloc.
In the USSR this fiber is named kapron and in East Germany perlon.
Nylon 6 is much less significant than, nylon 66 in commercial produc-
tion in the US. Its chemical intermediate is caprolactum. (See 'Capron
and Perlon.)
Nylon, 1. A type of nylon of little use in Western countries. In
the USSR it is derived from amino-enanthic acid from furfural and is
named enant. It is an industrial fiber rather than a fiber of light
industry. (See Enant.)
Nylon 11. A synthetic fiber made from castor beans. It is named
rilsan in France, where it was developed.. (See Rilsan.)
Nylon 66. The most common nylon fiber produced in the US. The
intermediate chemical is polyhexamethylene.-adipamide from coal, petro-
leum, or agriculturalyastes. Textile uses of this fiber are for
items of apparel such as hosiery, lingerie, dress goods, and shirting;
industrial uses, for tire fabrics, filter fabrics, laundry netting,
pressing fabrics, belting, and fuel cells. (See Anid.)
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Orion. A continuous filament or staple fiber produced by E.I..
du Pont de Nemours and Company, Incorporated, of the US. The prod-
uct is based on a polymer of acrylonitrile and therefore is classed
as an acrylic fiber. Features of orlon include resistance to sunlight,
stability, little or no shrinkage, a soft warm feel, and good draping
characteristics. In the USSR this fiber is named nitron. (See
Nitron.)
Perlon. The type of nylon fiber produced in East Germany. (See
Nylon 6 and Kapron.)
Pile. The raised loops or tufts that form all or a portion of
the surface of a fabric. The pile can be cut, uncut, looped, or
curled.
Plush. A pile fabric having a pile which measures 1/8 inch or
more. Artificial and synthetic fibers, as well as silk, cotton, and
wool, can be used to manufacture plush.
Polyamide. A complex hydrocarbon, the molecule of which contains
nitrogen. The various types of nylon, including kapron, belong to
the polyamide group. Basic'materials include petroleum, coal tar,
and agricultural wastes. Literally thousands of condensates, or
polymers, can be obtained by the various processes, and properties
of the polymers in each case depend upon the chemical structure of
the intermediates.
Polyester. Long-chain high-molecular-weight esters produced by
esterification of two or more molecules of hydroxy fatty acids. The
process is basic to production of lavsan. Coal and petroleum are the
raw materials used.
Polymer. A comparatively large molecule produced by linking to-
gether many molecules of a monomeric substance. Such a reaction is
known as polymerization.
Polymerization. The chemical reaction in which molecules of a
monomeric substance are linked together, thus yielding a compound
having a higher molecular weight and different physical properties.
Polyvinyl Fiber. High-tenacity filament obtained by polymeri-
zing vinylformate or vinylacetate. (See Geon and Khlorin.)
Rayon. A term synonymous with artificial fiber. (See Artificial
Fiber.).--
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Rilsan. A synthetic fiber made from castor beans. It is the
type of nylon 11 which was developed by the French and is produced
on a large scale only in that country. (See Nylon 11.)
Saran. A chemical fiber of polyvinylidine chloride, which is
derived from ethylene, a petroleum product, and from brine. It is
produced by Dow Chemical Company of the US and is used for screen
cloth, luggage, upholstery, draperies, and footwear. The Soviet
type is named soviden. (See Soviden.)
Soviden. The Soviet name for the polyvinylidine chloride fiber,
saran. (See Saran.)
Staple Fiber. Filaments of manmade fiber which have been cut to
the length of natural fibers such as wool or cotton.
Synthetic Fiber. Chemically based fiber such as nylon, orlon,
and dacron as differentiated from cellulose-based fibers which are
types of artificial fiber. The basic monomers are synthesized from
such raw materials as coal, petroleum, and agricultural wastes by a
linking reaction known as polymerization.
Tensile Strength. The number of pounds of resistance that a
fiber or fabric will give before it breaks.
Terylene. The UK counterpart of the US fiber dacron. In the .
USSR this fiber is named lavsan. The terylene process was discovered
by the UK although the USSR also claims development of the process.
(See Dacron and Lavsan.)
Vinyon. A copolymer of vinylchloride and vinylacetate produced
by Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation of the US. The textile fiber
is produced by American Viscose Corporation of the US. The fabric
is warm to the touch and compares favorably with silk or wool. In
its staple form, named dynel, it may be blended with cotton or wool
to yield fabric which permanently retains creases and pleats. Dynel
is also a superior material for production of blankets and warm
clothing. Vinyon is suitable for dress goods, bathing suits, rain-
wear, and a number of industrial uses. (See Dynel.)
Vinyon N. A copolymer of vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile which
differs basically from vinyon. The resin is dissolved in acetone
and is spun on equipment similar to that used to make acetate. Prop-
erties of vinyon N include warmth and resistance to perspiration and
mildew, and vinyon N does not cause allergic reactions. Fabrics of
vinyon N are suitable for dress goods, bathing suits, foundation
garments, rainwear, and industrial filter devices.
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APPENDIX C
PLANTS INDENTIFiED WITH PRODUCTION OF SYNTHETIC FIBERS IN THE USSR
Location and Name
. Dzerzhinsk, Plant
Dzerzhinsk, Rulon Plant
Klin, Plant
Kiev, Artificial Fiber
Combine
Moscow, Kuskovskiy
Chemical Plant
Kalinin, Artificial
Fiber Combine
Kishinev, Chemical
Plant
Coordinates
Type
of Plant
Product
56?15, N _ 43?29, E Chemical Caprolactum
(for kapron)
560151 N _ 43029! E Chemical Adipic acid and
hexamethylene
diamine (for
anid)
56?21' N - 36045' E Textile Kapron fiber
and thread
500271 N _ 300321 E Textile Kapron fiber
and thread
55045' N - 37035' E Chemical Vinyl mono-
filament
56?50' N - 35055' E Textile Nitron fibers
47001' N - 28050' E Chemical Khlorin fibers
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50X1
50X1
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APPENDIX D
METHODOLOGY
Data on production of synthetic fibers and of fabrics made from syn-
thetic fibers in the USSR is generally not available, because Soviet
statistical reports group synthetic fiber with artificial and natural
silk to present a total, always referred to as silk. That such informa-
tion is not separated out is hardly surprising in consideration of the
rudimentary stages of development of the Soviet synthetic fiber industry
and the meagerness of its production of natural silk. Numerous descrip-
tive references have appeared in the Soviet press and industrial publi-
cations on various types of synthetic fibers since 1950. Only recently
has any reference been made to production in absolute terms. Production
in the USSR in 1955 and goals for 1960 were given, but for total syn-
thetic fiber only. No data have been published to permit a breakdown
of types of to show quantities of production of fabric or of knit goods.
In this report, estimates of production of individual types of fiber
were made by using the official total of production and applying data
on individual plant capacities.
Data have been published to show what part of the total manmade
fiber that synthetic fiber represents. It is known from Soviet publi-
cations what percentage of knitwear, for example, and what percentage
of hosiery are of manmade fiber, thus making possible rough judgments
of the importance Of synthetic fiber in light industry.
To study the synthetic fiber industry in the USSR, it was neces-
sary to relate it to the synthetic fiber industry in Western countries.
The US has the best of the Western industries for comparison because
new technology has developed most rapidly in the US. Many types of
fibers are under research in the US, and new fibers continue to enter
mass production yearly. The USSR, however, draws on technological
information from the US and other Western countries. There are in-
numerable possibilities in the types of synthetic fibers :which can
be developed and manufactured, but types of fiber that are produced
in the USSR or which are included in the research programs in the
USSR are invariably the types developed elsewhere in the world,
especially in the US.
A view of the technological progress of the USSR was provided by
a report of the 1957 meeting of GEMA in which, specialists in synthetic
fiber planned the future progress of the industry. This report was
a study in detail of the capability and intentions of the synthetic
fiber industry in the USSR.
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To place synthetic fiber in perspective as a material for light
industry, the fiber was shown, in this report, in relation to produc-
tion of other silk and "silklike" fibers and fabrics. Such a rela-
tionship shows, again, the extent of the upward trend in Soviet
production of synthetic fiber for the future. Speeches of Soviet
leaders provided additional evidence of increased emphasis on develop-
ment of the industry.
? Discussion of the uses of synthetic fiber in industry (contrasted
with consumer uses) was based on US experience. The study of mili-
tary uses, except for information on production of parachutes, also
was based on analogy with the US.
Total production of artificial and synthetic fiber in the USSR
in 1955 amounted to 110,500 tons.* jji .Production of synthetic fiber
was 8,800 tons, 54/ leaving a balance of 101,700 tons as the amount
of artificial fiber produced.,
Soviet production of synthetic fiber for 1956 and 1957 has not
been announced in detail but has been derived from estimates based
on official figures and other data. Production of artificial
and synthetic fiber together totaled 128,900 tons in 1956 according
to official Soviet data, 55/ and production for 1957 was reported to
be 149,000 tons. 56/
Production of synthetic fiber in 1956 was reported
to be 8 percent of total manmade fiber. The figures for production
in 1957 represent an estimate based on an interpolation between fig-
ures for 1955 and 1960 (using the plan goal for 1960), which gave an
annual average rate of increase of 38 percent. Production of arti-
ficial fiber is derived by difference.
Although information about the capacity of plants for synthetic
fiber is incomplete, certain descriptive information tends to con-
firm data on production which have been reported officially. Produc-
tion of kapron comprises about 90 percent of total production of
synthetic fiber in the USSR. Plant at Dzerzhinsk, sole
producing plant for caprolactum, has an estimated productive capacity
of 7,000-12,000 tons per year. 58/ estimated
production of caprolactum
began in May 1949.
Plant
Klin,
in 1951 the entire output of ca rolactum-at
at Dzerzhinsk, was transferred to Plant
for polymerization and spinning. J2/ By 195)4, Plant
* P. 13, above.
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was reported officially to be producing 5,000 tons of kapron fiber.* 60/
The Artificial Fiber Combine, a plant for spinning synthetic fiber,
at Kiev, produces kapron and now is believed to be receiving
caprolactum from Plant at Dzerzhinsk. Production of this
plant is not known but is probably about 3,000 tons.
* The conversion rate of caprolactum to kapron is probably about .
90 percent -- for example, for every 10 tons of caprolactum, 9 tons
of kapron may be obtained.
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