p One of the highlights of the material and technical basis of communism is the chemicalization of industry. Modern production with its incredible speeds, enormous pressures and super-high temperatures is inconceivable without new manmade raw materials, and fuels. In close alliance with 218 production, science has therefore joined nature in a competition “for quality" and, more often than not, it gains the upper hand. Science has already developed plastics, artificial rubber, fibres and other products of the present-day chemistry of polymers, most of which are tougher, cheaper and more attractive than natural materials.

p Chemical products and synthetic materials are effecting profound qualitative changes in key industries, allowing them to put out more and better products, ensuring accumulations for further industrial development and raising the standard of living. Chemistry is enlarging the raw material resources, producing new materials for industry and effective means (fertilisers, for example) of stepping up agricultural output and turning out more and better consumer goods.

p Chemicalisation is making work easier, increasing labour productivity and helping to cut down labour outlays. For instance, 200 man-days are required for the production of a ton of raw cotton. The output of a ton of wool takes 350-400 man-days. But it takes only 50 man-days to produce a ton of viscose fabric. Chemicalisation saves huge quantities of foodstuffs ordinarily used for industrial purposes. Progress in Chemicalisation creates favourable conditions for the development of atomic power engineering, reactive technology, radio electronics and other important industries.

p Polymers adorn the life of man. Warm, inexpensive and smart clothes, hygienic and attractive floor and wall coverings, washable furniture and unbreakable utensils are just a few of the articles made from plastics that are carving a niche for themselves in everyday life.

p Keeping in step with life, the Programme of the C.P.S.U. calls for a huge growth of the chemical industry, particularly of the output of plastics.

Practice shows that in the chemical industry investments are repaid rapidly. In the six-year period from 1958 to 1964 the state invested 8,200 million rubles in this industry and the returns in that same period totalled 14,000 million rubles.