SOCMA in Washington: Specialty Chemical Leaders Push for Growth, Innovation & Reshoring

May 23, 2025

This week, SOCMA board members and executives from leading specialty chemical companies convened in Washington, D.C., for the association’s spring board meeting and federal fly-in. Representing a powerful cross-section of American manufacturing, participants included Monument Chemical, McGean, Cambrex, Ascent Chemicals, Boulder Scientific, Calca Solutions, ChemDesign, Seatex, Nation Ford Chemical, AVN Corporation, Toll Solutions, Third Coast, and Custom Processing Services.

Together, these leaders met with members of Congress, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Commerce to advocate for policies that will unlock growth, speed innovation, and support the reshoring of chemical production.

Why Now?

Specialty chemical manufacturers are reshore-ready. They have the available capacity, advanced technical capabilities, and an active pipeline of innovation. But outdated regulatory processes, tax uncertainty, and unpredictable trade actions threaten to stall this momentum.

SOCMA members were in D.C. to deliver a clear message: with the right policies in place, the specialty chemical sector can strengthen America’s supply chains, create high-quality jobs, and reinforce U.S. leadership in advanced manufacturing.

What We’re Asking For

To power this next chapter of growth and restore domestic competitiveness, SOCMA called on policymakers to take action in four critical areas:

1. Fix TSCA New Chemicals Review

The EPA’s implementation of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is delaying new product approvals and discouraging investment. SOCMA is urging a legislative solution to ensure:

  • Statutory deadlines are met for Pre-Manufacture Notices (PMNs) and Low Volume Exemptions (LVEs)

  • Real-world data is used over conservative default models

  • Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) are applied only to foreseeable uses

2. Reform Permitting

Permitting delays—especially redundant or unclear environmental reviews—are slowing domestic production. SOCMA is advocating for:

  • Streamlined, science-based permitting processes

  • Recognition of the unique structure of specialty manufacturing, which relies on small-batch, high-precision production

3. Restore Full R&D Expensing

The 2022 expiration of full R&D expensing (under IRC Section 174) hit small and mid-sized manufacturers especially hard. SOCMA is pushing for:

  • Immediate reinstatement of full expensing

  • Permanent extension of the R&D tax credit to support ongoing innovation and product development

4. Apply Tariffs with Care

  • Reshoring becomes less viable

  • Domestic innovation is undermined

Moving Forward

SOCMA members are ready to meet the moment. They are committed to helping the U.S. achieve its reshoring goals and bring more production home. But they need a policy environment that matches that urgency.

By advancing practical reforms and supporting long-term investment, lawmakers can help ensure that specialty chemical manufacturing continues to fuel the engine of America’s innovation economy.

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