The discovery of carbolic acid (phenol) as a distillate of tar and its subsequent use in the nineteenth century as an antiseptic was followed by its use as a raw material for picric acid, which came to be recognised as a powerful explosive, as a primary raw material for salicylates, and in connection with plastics production.
The Anglo-German Association of German and English manufacturers, for production and price stabilisation, lasted only from 1906 to 1997; the English Association thereafter functioned separately until 1914. Wartime prices were then controlled by a committee of manufacturers, chaired by a chartered accountant.
The English Phenol Convention was established in October 1927. The Phenol Producers' Association was faced in 1960 with the necessity to reconstitute itself after a judgement under the Trade Practices Act, 1956.
Reference: Finding aid the the collection
Carbolic Acid Association minutes, 1906-1914; Phenol Convention/Phenol Producers' Association minutes, 1927-1951; Phenol Producers' Association minutes, 1952-1960; English phenol Convention, 1938-1942; histories of phenol production, 1948, 1950; phenol producers' agreements, 1928-1967; Restrictive Trade Practices Act papers, 1957-1960.
The Modern Records Centre uses a classification scheme. For further
details of the scheme, see
This collection was deposited in the Centre by the family of a former Controller of the English Phenol Convention and secretary of the Phenol Producers' Association.
This collection has been weeded for duplicates.
Further deposits are not expected.
There are no restrictions on access to these papers.
There are no restrictions on the use of this archive, apart from the requirements of copyright law.
A copy of this collection-level description is available in paper format in the Centre's searchroom. A file level description is available in paper format in the Centre's searchroom at the National Register of Archives in London and in Chadwyck-Healey's
An authority record exists for the Phenol Producers' Association (GB 152 AAR2166).