The Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) announced today the approval of nine new companies for membership, bringing the total number of new members this year to 20. The companies – located in the U.S., India, and Switzerland – were approved by SOCMA’s Board of Governors at its September 29 meeting in Malvern, PA.

“These companies represent the increasingly diverse composition of SOCMA’s membership,” said Board of Governors chairman Dr. Larry Brotherton. “We’re pleased that our growing offering of products, services and programs to our members is speaking to the needs of the batch, custom, and specialty chemical industry and helping companies to make the decision to join SOCMA.”

New affiliate member Securitas Security Services USA stressed the importance for the company to be involved in the regulatory process through SOCMA. “Securitas felt that SOCMA is playing a vital role in representing the chemical industry’s interests, and is an invaluable resource via its webinars and conferences, in helping its members safely chart their way through these confusing regulatory waters,” said Vincent MacNeill, vice president of Petrochemical, Chemical & Refining Services.

Customs broker Charter Brokerage said that a SOCMA membership was an important extension of the company’s business activities. “With this focus, we feel it is important to be part of SOCMA and share our experience and knowledge of regulatory and compliance issues facing importers and exporters in the chemical industry,” said Mike Chisholm, senior vice president. “SOCMA's reputation within the industry really made the decision for us. We are very excited to be involved and we look forward to working with SOCMA in various capacities.”

SOCMA’s new members include:

* Amyris Inc., Emeryville, CA – Amyris uses breakthrough science and an innovative business model to address some of the planet’s most daunting problems. They first applied their technology to develop semi-synthetic artemisinin, a key ingredient in first-line malaria treatments. The company is now focused on cost competitive products that serve as renewable alternatives to consumer products and industrial applications currently dependent on petrochemicals.

* Boron Specialties LLC, Valencia, PA – Boron Specialties provides services in process development and scale-up, environmental, health, safety and regulatory, sourcing, and commercial development related to all aspects of boron chemistry. The company is also developing novel boron-based products and advanced materials for applications in life science, energy, and electronics.

* Charter Brokerage LLC, Norwalk, CT – Charter Brokerage is very pleased to be accepted into the SOCMA group, and looks forward to contributing expertise and assistance to the membership wherever possible. Charter is a full service provider of customs and consulting services, focusing specifically in the chemical and petroleum sectors.

* Dottikon Exclusive Synthesis, Aargau, Switzerland – Dottikon is a fine chemical company specializing in hazardous, safety-critical chemical reactions focused on the exclusive synthesis of fine chemicals. Dottikon provides custom manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients and advanced intermediates to major pharmaceutical and industrial companies around the world.

* Global Process Management, Stroudsburg, PA – Global Process Management is the leading supply chain partner to the BioPharm industry.  The company provides a full range of business management consulting services, including internationally recognized quality systems development and management. Global Process Management’s goal is to help identify needs and develop the systems to ensure client success.

* Parchem Fine and Specialty Chemicals, New Rochelle, NY – Parchem Fine & Specialty Chemicals is excited to be a part of SOCMA.  SOCMA advocates for the chemical industry in a way that is environmentally sound, economically responsible, and with a dedication to the well-being of consumers, which aligns with Parchem’s guiding principles.

* Securitas Security Services USA, Mandeville, LA – Securitas is a locally-focused security company in the U.S., with over 450 local branch managers and more than 100,000 security officers who provide security solutions to meet the specific needs of thousands of businesses. Securitas USA’s services include guarding services, patrols and inspections, access control, concierge and receptionist services, security console operators, alarm response, and specialized client requested services.

* Terrabon Inc., Houston – Terrabon Inc. is bringing cost-effective, sustainable technology solutions to the production of "green," renewable fuels and industrial chemicals, and to the scalable treatment of high salinity water sources. Their mission is to develop and deploy innovative and cost effective technologies for biomass conversion and water desalination. Terrabon's business strategy is focused around licensing and joint venture arrangements with biomass generators, such as municipalities, forest product manufacturers, and agricultural and food processors.

For a full list of SOCMA members, click here.  For more information on the benefits of membership, visit www.ChooseSOCMA.com.