With business booming and companies reaching capacity limits, customers and suppliers throughout the specialty chemical value chain are looking to make business-critical connections in 2022. SOCMA offers that opportunity and more at the Specialty & Custom Chemicals Show, which will be held February 28-March 2, at the Omni in Fort Worth, Texas.

“Demand has skyrocketed for toll and contract partnerships in North America since the pandemic started,” said Jennifer Abril, SOCMA president and CEO. “In fact, one major customer told us their outsourced projects have increased 300 percent from two years ago. As buyers continue to seek certainty through domestic suppliers, SOCMA members say they are confidently moving forward with capital expansions.

“As a result of this growth, companies across the board tell us project calendars are tight. Customers are thinking, ‘There are contract and toll manufacturers out there who may have increased their capabilities, so I need a one-stop shop to learn what’s new in the market and to hear what these potential partners need from me.’ Conversely, contract manufacturers are thinking, ‘Not only do I need to network with potential customers, but I also need to connect with other companies to find out how they are handling various challenges throughout this surge.’”

SOCMA’s new trade show serves as a conduit to provide these solutions and intelligence so companies can leverage growth opportunities. The event will feature more than 165 exhibitors, 39 Exhibitor Showcases, and a series of educational sessions focusing on pressing issues that manufacturers are facing both inside and outside their fence lines.

Nothing Replaces Face-to-Face Business Interactions

The Specialty & Custom Chemicals Show is the first opportunity of the year for the specialty chemical industry to meet in person, showcase company capabilities, and secure new projects with exhibiting toll and contract manufacturers.

“There is a strong desire to return to in-person meetings because of the nuanced approaches and interactions with potential partners you just don’t experience in a virtual setting,” Abril said. “One SOCMA Board member told us they have initiated projects that came up in spontaneous conversations while meeting with people at an event. Another said there is a higher chance of closing a deal in person, which makes the show vital to our industry.”

Supply Chain and Tax Incentives Headline Conference Sessions

The show kicks off with conference sessions on Monday, February 28. Key issues to be covered include transportation, logistics, and raw materials availability, as well as:

• Navigating persisting supply chain challenges
• Understanding the global geopolitical landscape and its impact on chemicals
• Obtaining tax incentives available to your company

On Tuesday, March 1, the event focus shifts to highlight company capabilities, equipment, and technologies.

Conference sessions return on Wednesday, March 2, featuring a buyer/toller panel with representatives from Evonik, BASF, and Dow. In addition, a market trends panel with experts from Synalloy, Grace Matthews, and Edgewater Capital Partners will take a look at what’s driving company valuations.

“The SOCMA trade show answers the call for an in-person event early in the calendar year, placing attendees at the center of industry solutions, services and exhibitors ready to make new deals,” Abril said. “Not only are these onsite solutions invaluable, but SOCMA’s value does not stop when the show ends! Our staff is comprised of subject-matter experts who continue to provide tools and resources to our members and the industry year-round, and we look forward to showcasing that in Fort Worth and beyond.”
 

To explore the schedule, register to attend, and find additional details, visit https://texas.chemicalsamerica.com.