We take a look ahead at what key exhibitors are offering at the SOCMA Specialty & Custom Chemicals Show this year
SOCMA comes to Nashville
We take a look ahead at what key exhibitors are offering at the SOCMA Specialty & Custom Chemicals Show this year
Formerly known as Specialty & Custom Chemicals America until the trade association SOCMA acquired it , the SOCMA Specialty & Custom Chemicals Show – or just the SOCMA Show - takes place at the JW Nashville on 19- 21 February . It remains primarily a networking event for the US custom chemicals sector , with a no-frills exhibition area and educational content . You can register to attend via the SOCMA website .
The SOCMA Show features suppliers and buyers involved with technologies , innovations and process solutions with applications for the speciality , custom , fine and industrial chemical markets . This covers a diverse range of end uses that include , among others :
• Pharmaceuticals
• Crop protection
• Paints & coatings
• Cosmetics & personal care
• Water treatment
• Electronics
• Flavours & fragrances
• Mining & mineral processing
MFG Chemical has upgraded its pilot plant
• Oilfield , fuels & lubricants
• Polymers & monomers
• Pulp & paper
• Soaps & detergents
• Textiles , dyes & inks
Set-up and the SOCMA board of governors ’ dinner take place on Sunday 18 February . Next morning , following a welcome address by SOCMA CEO Jenifer Abril , the exhibits are open from 10.00 to 18.00 , while exhibitor showcases take place throughout the day from 8.40 . The grand opening reception takes place at 16.30 .
On Tuesday 20 February , following the networking breakfast and another welcome address , the show floor is open from 9.15 to 18.00 . Three general sessions will take place :
• 8.15-9.15 – Keynote presentation by SOCMA economic expert Robert Fry on the trends , indicators and drivers the industry should be watching as they make key business decisions
• 10.00-11.00 - Keys to securing contract / tolling business in a selective buyer market , based on
SOCMA ’ s newly published 2024 Contract Manufacturing Outlook
• 14.00-15.00 – Subject to be confirmed There will be another networking reception from 16.30 . The event ends on Wednesday 21 February after another networking breakfast with roundtable discussions at 7.30 , followed by the final general session from 8.30 to 9.30 on ‘ SOCMA factor – Commercial , manufacturing & regulatory support beyond the show ’.
The exhibitors are companies offering North America-based operations for :
• Speciality , fine & industrial chemical manufacturing
• Agrochemical actives , intermediates & inerts
• Custom chemical & toll manufacturing
• Chemical toll processing & formulation services
• Chemical packaging materials & services
• Chemical R & D services
• Chemical process equipment , containers & technology
• Chemical distribution , logistics & supply chain services Among the many custom manufacturers on the show floor is MFG Chemical of Dalton , Georgia . MFG acquired Radical Polymers in mid-2022 , adding patented technologies and both applications and testing capabilities in the water treatment field and others .
In addition to communicating its recent acquisition of Masters Company ( see news pages ), MFG will be marketing its “ unique manufacturing capabilities and the team that we have that can take products from inception to commercialisation ”, according to Mike Standish , vice-president of additives .
62 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981