British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume I - Page 527

CHAPTER XIII.

(ii) Superphosphate. Acid sludge, a waste product obtained on refining crude oil, is processed by Taassiya Chemith, a private company, for their production of superphosphates which in 1944 reached 14,000 tons. Their output is limited only by the availability of sulphuric acid and phosphate rock which is imported from Trans-Jordan and of which extensive deposits have been opened.

(iii) Sulphuric acid. Sulphuric acid, which is a has ic requirement for the development of a chemical industry is at present manufactured by the Consolidated Refineries Limited, who themselves utilize about two-thirds of the 9,000 tons they produce annually. The manufacture of sulphuric acid by other companies is now being launched and as this should provide adequate supplies of low priced sulphuric acid it may entail the stabilization of some of the chemical factories which have been established during the war period and permit the evolution of others.

(iv) Other chemicals. Other chemicals which are produced are acetic acid, acetone, acetylene, alcohol, ammonia, butyl alcohol, carbon dioxide, chromic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, lactic acid, lead oxide, methyl chloride, nitric acid, oxygen, potassium bichromate, potassium chlorate, sodium sulphide, sulphur dioxide and zinc chloride. These have provided the foundation for a number of auxiliary industries for which a supply of these chemicals is essential in order to maintain their production. Paints, varnishes, inks, polishes and cleaning materials have also been manufactured in adequate quantity and quality to satisfy both local demand and Services' requirements, Asphalt is another item which is being produced in sufficient supply.

(v) Cosmetics and soap. The manufacture of cosmetics constitutes an industry which enjoys considerable promise for the future. The 1939 gross value amounted to £P.22,000 but by 1942 it had risen to £P.312,000. Essential oils produced locally include jasmin , peppermint, citrus and thyme. Soap is extensively manufactured. Of the 10,333 tons of soap which were produced in 1943, 6,154 were from Jewish factories, and 4,179 tons from Arab factories. Manufactures of glues and gums are sufficient to allow for considerable exports.

(vi) Pharmaceuticals. In the pharmaceutical industry prospects for a sound post war growth are not unfavourable. Production has profited from the assitance rendered by the scientific

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