The Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) is a trade association that supports and represents the interests of the specialty chemical industry in North America through legislative and regulatory advocacy.
How has SOCMA’s main function, purpose, and membership evolved since its inception almost 104 years ago?
Initially, our focus was to grow the specialty chemical sector in the U.S., but over time, our mission has expanded to encompass North America. We achieve this through various means, including advocacy for North American specialty chemical production with regulators, legislators, and other stakeholders. We also provide manufacturers with industry intelligence, regulatory compliance support, and matchmaking services. Our B2B network fosters partnerships by helping companies connect and offering tools to streamline collaboration and growth.
We’ve seen steady membership growth, with 24 new members joining in the past year. Our members include specialty and fine chemical manufacturers as well as contract manufacturers, who produce materials for other companies—a process known as tolling or external production. Notably, 80% of our manufacturing members engage in some form of contract manufacturing, while only 20% produce solely proprietary products. Members range from companies with proprietary product lines to those focused on providing efficient, high-quality production services for others.
Given the advancements in technological innovation, how do you see the role of specialty chemicals evolving in the near future?
Specialty chemicals are performance chemistries that enhance everyday products, from high-tech electronics to pharmaceuticals. They perform unique functions that improve quality and functionality, making them integral to innovation across industries. One promising area is biomanufacturing, with advancements in enzyme-based and plant-based materials. These developments highlight the potential for specialty chemicals to lead in sustainability and innovation.
Our members’ efforts are divided into two categories. For proprietary product lines, companies are focusing on innovation pathways, such as new starting materials to gain a competitive edge. Contract manufacturers, on the other hand, prioritize speed, efficiency, and high-quality production to better serve their customers.
Can you share any partnerships within SOCMA’s membership that stand out as ones you are particularly proud of?
About five years ago, we introduced “lead sheets,” a system that helps companies find ideal partners for specific projects. This involves collecting non-confidential project details, such as timelines, equipment requirements, and production capabilities, to match companies with the right partners. Members can respond if they meet the criteria, ensuring quick, precise matchmaking.
We also facilitate connections through our annual February trade show, which brings together major players in the North American specialty chemical sector. Additionally, our website’s member directory allows filtering by geography, production level, certifications, and more. Recently, we’ve begun exploring AI tools to enhance our matchmaking capabilities further.
From speaking to members on the ground, what are the common trends driving demand within the specialty chemical sector?
We’re seeing a rearrangement of supply chains, accelerated by COVID-19. Companies have shifted from a “China plus one” strategy to prioritizing localization and regionalization for risk mitigation. Producing locally also reduces transportation emissions and enhances sustainability metrics.
North America’s high-quality production standards, innovation, and robust manufacturing base make it an attractive region for growth. However, to fully capitalize on this, we advocate for expanded permits and investments in domestic production to further strengthen the supply chain.
One of SOCMA’s main functions is delivering legislative and regulatory advocacy for members. How does SOCMA work to solve these industry challenges?
We’ve been working closely with the U.S. Department of Defense to build out the domestic supply of critical materials for national security. This aligns with efforts to reduce reliance on countries like China. Additionally, energy costs in Europe make North America’s manufacturing base a competitive option. We’re optimistic about continued incentives for domestic production under the new administration. Certainty in trade and tax policies will encourage further investment and growth in the U.S. specialty chemical sector.
Our SOCMA 2030 vision focuses on positioning North American specialty chemical manufacturers as global market leaders by 2030. This includes advocating for policy changes, expanding safety programs like ChemOps into Spanish and French, and enhancing B2B connections with AI tools. We’re committed to reshoring supply chains and improving the operating landscape to foster growth and resilience in the sector.
What initiatives is SOCMA launching to ensure improved safety and sustainability?
In 2025, we’ll celebrate the 20th anniversary of ChemStewards, our environmental, health, and safety program designed for batch and specialty chemical manufacturers. This program emphasizes high standards and management systems to promote continuous improvement.
We also offer an online chemical operator training program to provide foundational training with animations and cutaways, ensuring new operators understand safety protocols and equipment functionality. This program focused on new operators from day zero through year two, sets a consistent industry standard and is complemented by company-specific training.
