American Chemistry Council Expands, Diversifies Membership

The American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Board of Directors approved the membership of five companies and the status of six others as Responsible Care Partner companies.

The growth of ACC membership is a direct result of an initiative created to improve member services, expand the Responsible Care community, and increase industry engagement in the political process. Among other things, the initiative provides incentives for smaller companies to join ACC by offering three years of dues relief, pre-membership readiness assessments, and mentoring, benchmarking, and regional support to aid in the implementation of Responsible Care. During this time companies are provided the full benefits of ACC membership.

“A broad and united industry base enhances our collective advocacy efforts, and our improved performance through Responsible Care brings credibility to our regulatory and legislative debates in global, national, and state arenas,” said ACC president and CEO Cal Dooley. “These new members and Partners represent our commitment to helping small and medium-sized companies work alongside their peers to engage on the critical issues affecting our industry, our environment, and our society.”

The companies represent diversity in the chemical manufacturing sector, producing products ranging from petrochemicals and thermoplastic resins to engineering fibers, peroxides, persulfates, chlor-alkalis, and bioengineered polymers. The new members are:

ASHTA Chemicals Inc., Ashtabula, OH
Miwon Commercial Co., Dowington, PA
Modular Genetics Inc., Cambridge, MA
United Initiators Inc., Elyria, OH
OPX Biotechnologies Inc., Boulder, CO

The new Responsible Care Partner Companies cover fleet management and third-party logistics as well as bulk transportation. Those approved today include:

CH Robinson Worldwide, Chicago
Expeditors International, Edison
Grupo Transmerquim S.A., San Jose, Costa Rica
Martin Transport Inc., Kilgore, TX
Tankstar USA, Milwaukee
Transportation Consultants Inc., Harahan, LA

Unlike other industry certification programs, the Responsible Care Partnership Program encompasses customers, carriers, distributors, and others in the business of chemistry, holding them to the same principles and commitments as ACC’s own manufacturing members.

“ACC knows that the vitality of our industry depends on the active participation and engagement not only of the manufacturing sector, but the entire supply chain including our partners in transportation, distribution, storage, and treatment,” said Brian Ferguson, chairman and CEO of Eastman Chemical Co. and ACC board chair. “Responsible Care is both a performance program and a marketable business asset for ACC members, making the association unique among its peers and these Partner companies are the proof point. The access to new opportunities and the shared commitment to sustainability translate to business growth with fewer risks.”

With these additions ACC has added ten new members and seven Responsible Care Partners to its rosters since the beginning of the year, bringing current membership in each category to 143 and 80 companies, respectively.

To learn more about ACC membership or the Responsible Care initiative, visit www.americanchemistry.com/joinus.