The scope of development at Yarraville and Newcastle was limited by sites and markets. After prolonged planning, expansion into New South Wales was accelerated by the war and construction of a sizeable complex at Botany began in 1940. The factory consisted of a modern mercury cell caustic/chlorine plant, around which a series of derivative plants was developed progressively: Carbon tetrachloride, tri- and perchlorethylene, acids, salts and carbon bisulphide for flotation agents (xanthates). Eventually petrochemical plants were added and the factory grew to become the largest chemical complex in Australia under single management with a total investment of over SA800 million. Yarraville also expanded, but much more modestly: Benzenehexachloride, DDT, aniline, diphenylamine and weedkiller plants were added in the forties and fifties.

The war years and post-war expansion provided challenges and opportunities for the new generation of industrial chemists and engineers and produced many original contributions. Only examples can be singled out here.

Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering