Harold A. Holz
Union Carbide Corporation
Inducted 2000
Harold Holz (1925 – 2005) worked in the plastics industry for over 50 years in various capacities, but he is best known for his activities related to developing and expanding polyethylene markets. Holz graduated from the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., with bachelor’s degrees in science and engineering. He joined the Union Carbide Corporation in 1947 and remained with the company for nearly four decades. In 1986, he began an 18-year consulting career with Marvel Industries of Mamaroneck, N.Y.
Holz was instrumental in convincing plastics processors to develop some of the first applications for polyethylene, now the world’s largest family of commodity resins. He helped to develop markets and technology for producing housewares jointly with Tupperware and Loma, squeeze bottles working with Plax and Imco, and films at Visking. He also assisted Columbia Records with developing and producing the first vinyl 33-1/3 LP. His expertise in polyolefin polymers contributed greatly to developing and expanding high-density polyethylene markets and linear low-density polyethylene and its conversion to granular form, which led to new markets for thin-gage blown polyethylene film.
Holz was President of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) in 1975-1976. He also served as President of the Plastics Pioneers Association and on the Board of Directors of the National Plastics Center and Museum and the Plastics Academy.
Due to their close working relationship, Harold Holz was a good friend of Earl S. Tupper, founder of Tupperware. Shortly before his death, Tupper gave Holz a large collection of Tupperware – a collection he called a “time capsule.” Holz later donated the collection to the National Plastics Center and Museum, which in turn donated the collection to the Plastics Collection at Syracuse University.
Areas of Expertise:
Plastic materials