We take a look ahead at what key exhibitors are offering at the SOCMA Specialty & Custom Chemicals Show this year
EVENT PREVIEW
SOCMA returns to Nashville
We take a look ahead at what key exhibitors are offering at the SOCMA Specialty & Custom Chemicals Show this year
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 Marriott Nashville on 19-21 February , exactly the same dates and location as in 2024 . This year ’ s theme is ‘ Adapting supply chains for a changing world ’.
The SOCMA Show remains primarily a networking event for the US custom chemicals sector , with a no-frills tabletop exhibition area and educational content . You can register to attend via the SOCMA website and registered attendees can also take advantage of a $ 309 / night rate at the hotel itself .
The 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 different end-use markets that include , among many others :
• Pharmaceuticals
• Crop protection
• Paints & coatings
• Cosmetics & personal care
• Water treatment
• Electronics
• Flavours & fragrances
• Mining & mineral processing
• Oilfield , fuels & lubricants
• Polymers & monomers
• Pulp & paper
• Soaps & detergents
• Textiles , dyes & inks The exhibitors are listed in full on the website and numbered 158 at the time of going to press . They are mainly companies offering North Americabased operations for :
• Specialty , 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 Set-up and the SOCMA board of governors ’ dinner take place on Tuesday 18 February , when exhibitors set up and badges can be collected . There is also a welcome happy hour from 17.00 to 18.00 .
Next morning , Wednesday 19 February , following breakfast a welcome address by SOCMA CEO Jenifer Abril at 8.00 , exhibitor showcases take place from 8.40 to 10.30 . The exhibits are then open to 18.00 . The grand opening reception takes place from 16.30 to 7.30 , sponsored by Nation Ford Chemical . The SOCMA President ’ s reception follows on from 17.30 to 18.30 but is by invitation only .
Thursday 20 begins with a women ’ s networking breakfast from 7.15 to 8.00 , followed by the welcome address at 8.00 and the keynote presentation at 8.15 , then the exhibitor showcases from 9.00 to 10.30 . The exhibits will be open from 10.30 to 17.30 and the day concludes with a networking reception from 16.30 to 18.00 , this time sponsored by Chevron Oronite .
General conference sessions take place between 14.00 and 15.00 on both 19 and 20 February and from 8.15 to 9.00 and again from 12.15 to 13.00 on Friday 21 , bringing the show to its close . As yet , no details of these are available , but they are usually highlevel overviews by senior consultants and industry figures about the state of the market , supply chain challenges and regulatory issues .
As ever , Speciality Chemicals Magazine is proud to be among the selected media partners at the SOCMA Show . Global agent Ben Jones and US correspondent Gregory Morris will be in Nashville throughout . Please get in touch with Ben direct ( bjones @ centurygloballlc . com ) to arrange a meeting . ●
J j
Amber Thichangthong
SOCMA athichangthong @ socma . org www . socma . org / tradeshow
JAN / FEB 2025 SPECCHEMONLINE . COM
53