ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA) recognized 50 member facilities for their achievements in workplace safety during the 2026 SOCMA Summit on November 12. The association also honored individuals and organizations whose leadership, expertise and service have made significant contributions to SOCMA and the specialty chemical industry.

Through its Safety Recognition Program, SOCMA celebrated the employees, plant teams and safety professionals whose daily commitment to safer operations drives meaningful improvements across the industry. The association also presented its Trailblazer Award, Advocacy Excellence Award, Partner of the Year Award and inaugural President's Award, recognizing individuals and organizations for their leadership, expertise and service.

"Safety is fundamental to everything we do in specialty chemical manufacturing, and it takes a commitment from every person, every day," said Jenn Klein, President & CEO of SOCMA. "These awards recognize the people and companies who put that commitment into practice, along with leaders who give their time, expertise and energy to strengthen our industry. Their contributions deserve to be celebrated."

View photos from the 2026 SOCMA Summit & Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony

Safety Recognition Program

SOCMA's 2026 Safety Recognition Program honors 50 member facilities for their commitment to continuous improvement in workplace safety. While the recognitions are awarded to facilities, they reflect the work of employees across these organizations, from plant operators and maintenance teams to environmental, health and safety professionals and facility leadership.

These individuals play an essential role in identifying hazards, improving processes, strengthening safety cultures and helping ensure their colleagues return home safely each day.

The program recognizes improvements across seven areas: training, competency and operating discipline; emergency preparedness and community coordination; employee engagement and safety culture; mechanical integrity and equipment reliability; incident investigation and corrective action; leading indicators and data-driven improvement; and hazard reduction and engineering controls.

Building on SOCMA's Safety Emphasis Initiative, launched in 2023, the program encourages members to share practical approaches and lessons learned that can help strengthen safety practices throughout the specialty chemical industry.

A complete list of the 2026 Safety Recognition Program recipients is below.

Industry Leadership Awards

Gloria O'Bannon, Monument Chemical | Trailblazer Award

O'Bannon received the Trailblazer Award for her leadership in advancing SOCMA's sustainability initiatives and encouraging collaboration among members. As Co-Chair of SOCMA's Sustainability Committee, she has helped guide programming, contributed to the Sustainability & Safety Workshop and shared practical experience that strengthens the resources available to member companies. The Trailblazer Award honors exceptional leadership, innovation and contributions that help the industry progress.

Allison Betancourt, Colonial Chemical | Advocacy Excellence Award

Betancourt received the Advocacy Excellence Award for helping strengthen SOCMA's voice and member engagement on regulatory issues affecting specialty chemical manufacturers. As Chair of the Chemical Regulations Committee, she identifies emerging issues, guides committee discussions and helps translate manufacturers' concerns into timely information and programming. Her contributions include leading committee meetings, recommending webinar topics, moderating a TSCA panel and working with SOCMA staff to improve regulatory communications.

Trinity Consultants | Partner of the Year Award

Trinity Consultants received SOCMA's Partner of the Year Award in recognition of its commitment to supporting the association and its member community. The award celebrates organizations that contribute their expertise, resources and engagement to help advance SOCMA's mission and strengthen the specialty chemical industry.

Joe Wilson, Toll Solutions | Inaugural President's Award

Wilson received SOCMA's inaugural President's Award in recognition of his nearly 50 years of leadership, dedication and service to the chemical industry.

Beginning his career at Diamond Shamrock and going on to serve as President and CEO of Toll Solutions, Wilson has built a distinguished career marked by his deep industry knowledge, commitment to the specialty chemical sector and willingness to share his expertise with others.

Throughout his career, he has been a dedicated advocate for the industry and an active leader within SOCMA. His service includes roles on SOCMA's Executive Committee, Show Committee and Board Nominating Committee, along with longstanding support of the association's programs and events.

The President's Award recognizes his professional accomplishments, decades of service and lasting contributions to the industry and the people who work in it.

2026 Safety Recognition Program Recipients

SOCMA congratulates the following facilities and the employees, safety professionals and leadership teams whose dedication to workplace safety earned recognition in 2026.

• ACCI Specialty Materials, LLC
• Ascensus Specialties, LLC – Strem Chemicals
• Ascent Chemicals Cleveland, LLC
• Ashland – Lima
• Ashland – Columbus
• AVN South Charleston
• Baker Hughes – Bayport Manufacturing Facility
• Baker Hughes – Baker Petrolite
• Baker Hughes – Taft Manufacturing
• Bedoukian Research Inc.
• Boulder Scientific Company – Longmont
• Boulder Scientific Company – Mead
• Cambrex Charles City, Inc.
• ChemDesign Products, Inc.
• CJB Industries – Cypress Street Plant
• CJB Industries – Cypress Warehouse Plant
• CJB Industries – Gil Harbin Plant
• Encapsys – a Milliken Company - Ironwood
• GFS Chemicals, Inc.
• Hampford Research Inc.
• InChem Rock Hill, LLC
• Iofina Chemical
• McGean Cleveland Facility
• McGean Livonia Facility
• MFG Chemical – Brooks Road Plant
• MFG Chemical – Callahan Road Plant
• MFG Chemical – Kimberly Park Plant
• Milliken – Allen Plant
• Milliken – Laurel Plant
• Monument Chemical Bayport, LLC
• Monument Chemical Baytown, LLC
• Monument Chemical Houston, LLC
• Monument Chemical Kentucky
• Monument Chemical Port Arthur
• Nation Ford Chemical
• Nova Molecular Sumter LLC
• Oakwood Products Inc.
• Optima Chemical Group, LLC
• Piedmont Chemical Industries
• Polysciences, Inc.
• Pressure Chemical Co.
• ProChem Inc.
• South Coast Port Terminal Facility (PTF)
• South Coast Strang Road Facility (SRF)
• South Coast Wallisville Road Facility (WRF)
• Southern Chemical and Textile Peek Building 1
• Third Coast – Friendswood Operations
• Third Coast – Pearland Operations
• Toll Solutions LLC
• Wiley Companies

About SOCMA:

SOCMA is the only U.S.-based trade association dedicated to the specialty and fine chemicals industry. Our members play an indispensable role in the global chemical supply chain, providing specialty chemicals to companies in markets ranging from consumer products and electronics to pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

Contact:
Nate Bell
Director, Marketing & Communications
nbell@socma.org

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SOURCE Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates