Amory: Or they will welcome us with open arms and tell us all their secrets. But the real mystery moment comes when the company rep wont tell Caity what industry is the biggest customer of Glitterex. And the price has gone down with competition. No one has been able to find any answers until now! Ben: Lightning round on industries that use glitter but are not the top customer of Glitterex. For glitter paint? Is it sparkly or Brannon: Anything that you want. Brannon Pittman: My name is Brannon Pittman. Glitter is certainly a component in many plastic fishing lures, but its not a secret, and Im not sure why it would be. Also thanks to Dan Benton, Ed Jones, Vanessa Patrick and Jerry Mande for sharing their expertise and helping to shape this episode as we fell down the glitter rabbit hole. Amory: Even Brannons company buys glitter for some of its gel coat products. Still a mystery. But we need you to help us investigate the origins and largest buyers of glitter. Ben: So much mystery! The one thing I know is it's a very closed industry. Why am I listening to you? All contents 2022 The Slate Group LLC. Ben: Has your family's company ever sold the glitter to the automotive paint industry? Amory: Is there a term for a strategy like this? John: And I manage an automotive OEM, which is original equipment manufacturing, color styling lab in Cleveland, Ohio for PPG industries. If you have information about industrial glitter use, please contact us here. No matter what the glitter industry may be hiding from us, let's hope whatever it's nestled in is making the thing more "fabulous.". But he knows a lot about the business. But were talking about an industry where the final product isnt obviously made of glitter. Fighter jets. Rocket fuel is also on the table. So I am on the lookout for unusual mysteries, which I think this glitter one definitely fits in that mold. Since then, Joes gone back to working in the entertainment industry. I'm not calling glitter pink slime, but remember when pink slime happened? Sure, why not? Amory (in car): It looked like the building! Amory: Foiled again. Works in Washington at the Teal Group doing aviation technology analysis. The one company [Glitterex], at least the one we knew had the answer, wouldnt give it to us. Because glitter doesnt go away. Ben: Fair. Toothpaste. Greg: I don't want to cast aspersions at the glitter industry, but my guess is that it's not a state secret in terms of what they're doing. And so one of them said their company does buy glitter from Glitterex. AMA!. And that's how I got into the state police Bulger Task Force. Amory: Boat you're supposed to say paint. And that's the The Devil. It's one of our oldest machines and it's been repurposed to cut one certain material that I can't say too much about. Amory: The me in this case is Richard Aboulafia. Are we are we to be rejected? Zach: I was like, "Oh man it's something it's something unusual. Ben: The comments on Zachs Reddit post started rolling in with tons of theories. Joe: So my name is Joe Coburn. And, in fact, he says this is why some planes have used reflective materials as decoys for evasive maneuvering. One thing I did learn, though: glitter is not good! Ben: Closed industry doesnt sound good and it matches what weve learned about glitter so far. Amory: In 2011, Joes dad died. Ben: So if you're a Reddit fan, you should listen to the show anyway. Receptionist: Yeah. It would attract attention not avoid it. But it's the loudest machine and maybe the most complex machine we have. Food stuff? John: Yeah effect pigments, that is definitely what we're talking about here. Amory: Not beach sand, not military technology, not strip clubs you know, I was really hoping it was going to be something else. Ben: The show featuring stories found in the vast ecosystem of online communities called Reddit. Amory: Boat paint. Maybe, but the vast majority of concrete never has to meet any aesthetic standard at all. Me too. Amory: Were coming to you from WBUR, Bostons NPR station. Amory: Basically, all sorts of car companies, from Audi to Volkswagen, hire paint companies like PPG to make paint for their cars. The answer of what is it, which we will also discuss further is, briefly, very thin plastic coated in very thin metal. Humanity is pretty good at dumping trash into the ocean in terrible ways, but were not doing this with glitter on purpose. Ben: The answer to the last question is apparently, everywhere, which we will talk more about. So were talking about lots and lots of weight and lots and lots of money! But why not add sparkly glitter to head off into space with a colorful bang? John: No, I don't believe that glitter would be a primary offering from those companies. Maybe not! This is odd. This is how it plays out in the piece: Ben: Can you tell me which industry serves as Glitterexs biggest market? Brannon: Absolutely. It's Boston local news in one concise, fun and informative email. According to an October Pentagon report, theres only one remaining supplier of chaff to the Department of Defense: Esterline Defense Technologies, which manufactures the stuff in North Carolina under the subsidiary Armtec. Voicemail recording: This call may be recorded or monitored for quality assurance purposes. Ben: Hope and friends in low places. When asked if she knew the answer, she replied with an "Oh, God yes," followed by what was probably nervous laughter and a "And you would never guess it. John Thomas: Were pretty big. Lets just leave it at that. Brings me back to my chemistry class and to disco balls in the 1970s. Alex: No but it definitely hurts the souls of the operators. Ben: John, I think they should they should start a new Netflix show called The Great American Flaking Show. And if you dig deeper, the world of these shimmering bits of plastic is hiding one big secret. The sparkly particles aren't fun and games when it comes to marine life. Because a lot of times employees go out to drink on their way home. (TheNational Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Servicecouldnt be reached for comment; its closed because of the government shutdown.). Amory: Joes dad sells one inscrutable glitter cutting machine for a hefty sum. We need another authority. Amory: Weve learned that, yet again, sometimes the journey is much more intriguing than the destination. Ben: Of the handful of companies making glitter, Joe describes his own family's business as the black sheep of the group. He's on the phone with someone. Amory: In this front office by the way is a big glass case proudly displaying all of the products that Glitterexs glitter is in. Ben: David Boeri is probably known best for spending many years as WBURs senior investigative reporter. The colleagues who would be able to answer my questions? Josh: I think the next step is probably just to call up as many boat manufacturers as humanly possible. Ben: I don't know. Ben: Heres why I was so excited. Nope. Josh: Glitter paint. He was doing some machining work and found that grinding up trash made some particular kinds of trash sparkle. But then there's the more subtle approach of stealing the garbage, of doing dumpster dives and then opening the bag when you get home to find out what you might see in there Ben: Again, all of these ideas are a little dicey. The ingredient was safe, P&G insisted, and to the extent it made people like brushing their teeth, it led to healthier dental outcomes. Amory: Dont get ahead of yourself, glitter boy. And the person behind that post? David: Oh, yeah. Ben: Dumping glitter into resort beach sand to make your Instagram posts sparkle? Amory: Yes! Jeet: Thanks for stopping by. Amory: Im Amory Sivertson. And customers are not buying one kilogram. She added that you'd see some trace of glitter if you knew what it was. In the industry, these are all effect pigments. A little SECRECY from the automotive paint industry. Inspired by a New York Times feature about glitter last year, people have obsessed over identifying the mysterious industry buying huge amounts of glitter information which glitter-makers have now famously refused to divulge. There's a reason that cars in the sun look really nice. Everyone knows NASAs Space Launch System uses aluminum powder (along with ammonium perchlorate) as solid rocket fuel. If there is space in between then the effect is not as brilliant. Ben: The more you say it the weirder it gets! You used to make bank! A July Research and Markets industry report notes that the largest end-uses for metalized films include food packaging, decoration, and cosmetics. But even chaff is not really glitter. But instead, it's something mundane. Amory: And then, Ben caught a lucky break. Richard: Not so much because I think the last I bought my daughter some purple glitter that's her favorite color it cost a couple of bucks and the science of radar absorbing materials is extremely exacting! As our. Joes dad didnt know where these machines came from. Ben: Yes. But it wasnt really the perfect time, since its Christmas week, and everyone in America is on vacation. Effect pigments are basically highly engineered glitter in powder or flake form that add depth and complexity to whatever paint theyre in. We want to hear from you! Pepper spray? And I'm having record seasons in all of them. Clearly, it was time to do some digging. Thank you and make it a great day. Well, when you consider how much glitter is used in our everyday items, from credit cards to fishing bait (for those fishing every day), this is a seemingly harmless way of using the product. John: Its a great flake. But our buddy David Boeri? It's a strange world but it really flies in the face of everything I know about radar absorbing materials and the rather rigorous science that's gone into its development, its production, and its upkeep. It's something bizarre," you know. Ben: Boaty McBoatface! He politely sent us on our way. All of a sudden, his fists go up in the air triumphantly. Hes covered Whitey Bulgers gangster reign of terror. Ben: Until, from various industry pressures, it doesnt, which is why Alexs family company is getting into biodegradable glitter to get away from plastics. I will say that, you know, the constant murders, disappearances get a little grisly and a little like demoralizing. And, in fact, he described glitter as an industry that was insular in part because it was in trouble. Greeting cards. Do you think youre up for it? If what we don't know can't hurt us, that doesn't mean it won'teventually. Another mystery. Its really that simple.. David: Yeah. They use something called effect pigments.. And we started calling people, trying to knock a few of the crazy theories out. For some people, that mysterious "no comment" is whatever. Ben's voicemail for Amory: Oh! Ben: You're a man after my own heart. , dollar bills are also a possibility. You know, one of the great answers to one of the questions I once asked was, "I don't know the answer to that question, but I think I know someone who does.". Ben: Not gonna lie. Maybe what's, Another use that's been argued is sand. The glitter may help with aesthetic purposes if anything. And he's like, Yes! And he's pointing to the phone like he's talking to someone on the phone who has really good news. Amory: We really tried. Fishing bait. Amory: Because they dont want anyone to know that its glitter. telling me you want to go. Amory: He tries to get out, we pull him back in. Amory: And we asked him about his mysterious fleet of glitter making machines. Joe: Obviously, New Jersey is where the hotbed of glitter is. Sure. Ben: Are you gonna tell us that Blue Velvet is gonna be out but Ocean Spray is gonna be in in 2025, or something like that? But, like, translated to German Joe: Yeah. Something we had already been talking about. Sand, after all, can be manufactured from concrete and made into fine rock particles. Amory: Other than the growing competition, we asked Alex about his industrys greatest challenge. Glitter stays around. And he is very confident about which industry is Glitterexs biggest client. Ben: 300 gallons of glitter every week, or 15,600 gallons every year, is definitely buying in bulk. Amory: You know what we want before we do! That is, not until his dad was sent to clean up a failed business they attempted to launch in Germany where he made a fateful discovery. While we were looking through theories and failing to get Glitterex to talk to us, I found another Reddit thread. They are aluminized polyimidesclose cousins of the sheets that are chopped up for party decorations and makeup. All of which were theories floated in the thread. Amory: I'm sitting across from Josh yesterday. (Procter & Gamble PR did not respond to a request for comment by press time.). Amory: His grandfather and his father were both in the business of manufacturing various reflective materials but not glitter. Somebody comes to the door of the waiting area. (An Esterline representative had not responded to Slate as of press time. Where is it? They were like, there's no way we are their biggest client. Joe: My father compared the margins to cocaine! Ben: Glitter, glitter, glitter, glitter, glitter. Thank you! Ben: And is it both now, is it cosmetic and protective? At the tone, please record your message. Or maybe someone was dumping it into beach sand to make their resort beach sparkle more. Is that just how business works? Why am I listening to you? I will return your call as soon as possible. Something like that. Josh Crane Twitter Producer, Podcasts & New ProgramsJosh is a producer for podcasts and new programs at WBUR. He says he just wasnt into spending time in the boondocks of Germany. Amory: Dont hold your breath on that one. Sand. The glitter may help with aesthetic purposes if anything. Ben: Were talking to Joe Coburn, who used to work at his familys glitter company. Its going to feel good. Glitter? Joe: This could be vehicle paint for planes or boats or whatever, but in my mind it has to be glitter that sits in a liquid medium [because it] requires a lot more glitter. What is it? But its yeah, I cant., On Twitter, Weaver followed up: Please ask the smartest person in your family what the glitter industrys biggest market is, and reveal their answers here., I went one further: I asked Joe Colleran at Meadowbrook Inventions, the worlds leading glitter manufacturer. And if you call from jail I can put you on to any number of criminal defense attorneys who are my friends. In part because the paint or pigment industry was getting better and better at making cheaper products. And when I say I know how much they use, I dont know the exact volumes, but Ive been in their plants and I've seen the drums of material. Amory: Were hoping to talk to the woman who was interviewed in that New York Times story or the owner of the company, a guy named Babu. I see that ol Endless Thread bat signal in the sky! Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. Amory: No, I absolutely know that I cant. Joes dad let perspective buyers view the machines in an old barn, through a window. Ben: Maybe there was another clue in the economics of glitter. They declined to comment. Ben: You also noticed that comedian Demetri Martin has something on this same topic. So, maybe the companys biggest customer isnt really such a big mystery after all. He understands the industry. Ben: And, folks, these boat companies are using a lot of glitter. But, previously, there was a family glitter business that my father started in Germany. For more of Oonas sarcasm and attempted wit, visit her website oonaoffthecuff.com. You gotta admit. Customers are buying tons of glitter over the course of years. This would also distinguish counterfeit money from, you know- real, 15 Back-To-School Movies and TV Episodes to Finish Summer Break, Why You'll Never Buy A Home | Honest Ads (VIDEO), DC's Original League Of Super-Pets Was Insane, The Tonight Show: 20 Fav Moments From Allen To Fallon, THE WORLD'S BIGGEST GLITTER BUYER IS A BIZARRE MYSTERY. They dont want to let her see the machines or even be on the manufacturing floor, let alone describe how the machines work. Then theres very very very expensive flakes. I've also read that thread on the Glitterex article. Amory: Zach had found this article that a lot of people read in The New York Times Magazine that was all about glitter. But for us, it's CATNIP. And he builds a glitter company in Germany with a fleet of new machines. Our username is. If, say, a satellite-launching startup were looking for a Mylar substitute in small quantities without paying for the DuPont brand name or buying at the markups of the military-industrial complex, could it just turn to any old glitter factory? We're hoping to talk to one of them. And lastly,amid the theories, dollar bills are also a possibility. And a mystery that popped up that hasnt been solved. Amory: We asked Alex why he wouldnt tell us what the devil machine cuts. Before this story, I never thought glitter was a thing worth thinking about. Ben: Even though Joes dad was way out in Mohlsdorf-Teichwolframsdorf, as soon as he put out the word that he had some glitter making machines, people were knocking down his door. Rocket fuel is also on the table. music, sound effects, tone) are harder to translate to text. And after all our work, if he sits down atop a mountain of glitter with his dad, Babu, and they listen to the episode, Id like to hope they wouldnt even be mad at us. Amory: Meanwhile,weset out to turn over some rocks. And why even if you could, you probably shouldn't. Ben: First question: whats up with the secretive nature of the glitter industry? John: Hey, Im always willing to flake out. Wait wait wait this brings up questions. It raised a lot of questions, especially who this mystery buyer was. Please leave your name, your number, and a brief message. Several theories exist on what the product might be, such as bombs, as a means to track where they've exploded or car paint, though most people wouldn't mind if glitter was in car paint, and it's safe to say most people have already assumed so. Amory: So much mystery you're creating here, Alex! I feel that they may be the most secretive [glitter company], only because I rarely hear anything about them. Joe: My father quickly discovered that when he inquired about how much he could sell these machines for, people were offering large sums of money mainly to break the machine down and clone it.
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