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SUN VALLEY—Future expansion of Westvaco Co. plants at Pocatello and the influx of a large allied chemical industry to Southeastern Idaho was foreseen here by William T. Nichols, Westvaco official.Speaking before the state convention of the Idaho Bankers’ association, Nichols said:“Predictions are hazardous, but I can tell you that Westvaco would never come to Idaho merely to invest $4 million and to operate one electric prosphorous furnace.”Nichols said that the throwing of the switch on the Westvaco furnace about next April 1 “will signal the beginning of a very substantial chemical industry in Idaho. If so, it will bring with it a type of prosperity and sound economic structure which will be new in your experience.‘‘The proving up of western phosphate shale as a suitable and economical raw material for phosphorus manufacture in the electric furnace, as a part of our chemical operations, will open up the possibility for manufacturing concentrated fertilizer without being dependent upon sulfuric acid. This represents a bright outlook for this part of the fertilizer problem in Idaho and neighboring states,” Nichols said.Nichols emphasized that the people of Idaho have not yet realized the full significance of his company’s move into the state.“I believe there is far mord significance in the pioneering phosphorus venture than has been pointed out thus far.“I had to learn that few people in Idaho know very much about the chemical industry. Why should they? Idaho does not have a well-developed chemical industry. It was not easy for me to get used to an enviornment where Westvaco Is not a well-known name in industrial circles.“We are bringing an important segment of the chemical industry to Idaho. It is too much to
Newspaper Details
The Pocatello Post
Pocatello, Idaho, US
Wed, Jun 09, 1948
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Idaho S.
ID, USA 06 Jun 2025
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