The American Chemistry Council (ACC)

What The American Chemistry Council (ACC) does

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is a private, 501(c)(6) trade association headquartered in Washington, D.C. that serves as the unified advocacy voice of the US business of chemistry, an industry generating $673 billion in annual revenue and supporting 547,000 jobs, or roughly 25% of US GDP. Founded in 1872 and operating as the leading US chemical industry association for over a century, ACC represents chemical manufacturers, middle-market enterprises, professional service providers, and chemical handlers/distributors through four membership tiers, with Responsible Care participation mandatory for all members.

ACC's core product surface centers on the Responsible Care® safety and sustainability program (third-party certified via RCMS/RC14001), the CHEMTREC® 24/7 chemical emergency response hotline, the TRANSCAER® transportation emergency training program, and Operation Clean Sweep® (a plastic resin stewardship program covering 65%+ of US resin capacity). The Chemical Products and Technology Division manages over 100 self-funded, chemical-specific industry groups, while supplementary programs include the FOSSI STEM scholarship initiative ($40M raised, 800+ scholarships funded), the Long-Range Research Initiative, and the Chemistry Action Network policy coalition.

Revenue is generated primarily through annual membership dues across the four tiers, supplemented by fees from CHEMTREC/TRANSCAER services, conference revenue (Responsible Care & Sustainability Conference, Polyurethanes Technical Conference, World Petrochemical Conference, Advocacy Week), FOSSI sponsorship, and program fees. ACC's go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, with direct outreach to chemical manufacturers and active policy advocacy before federal and state regulators. In 2026, the organization is led by President & CEO Calvin Dooley (per current leadership roster) with Chris Jahn identified as President & CEO in earlier source material, governed by a member-elected Board of Directors.

Name

The American Chemistry Council (ACC)

Legal name

American Chemistry Council, Inc.

Website

https://americanchemistry.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association serving as the unified advocacy voice of the US chemical industry, representing manufacturers, middle-market firms, service providers, and distributors through mandatory Responsible Care® membership and tiered annual dues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chemical Industry Trade Association Services

NAICS

Chemical Manufacturing (325)

SIC

Chemicals & Allied Products (2800)

akta.pro primary industry

Chemical Management & Toxic Substances Compliance (TSCA, REACH, GHS/SDS, PFAS Programs) (EUAHABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Regulatory Cooperation (BPADANAJ), Hazard Communication (GHS/SDS) & Chemical Safety (EDABAEAB)

Keywords

• Chemical industry advocacy
• Trade association services
• Chemical safety programs
• Industry statistics subscriptions
• Emergency response services

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: ACC generates revenue primarily through annual membership dues from chemical manufacturers and related companies. Membership tiers include Manufacturer Members, Middle Market Enterprises, Associate Members (service providers), and Affiliate Members (distributors and handlers). Participation in Responsible Care is mandatory for all members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is a U.S. trade association that represents leading chemical manufacturers and the broader chemistry value chain through tiered membership (Manufacturer, Middle Market, Associate, Affiliate). It delivers the mandatory Responsible Care® safety and sustainability program with third-party certification, operates the CHEMTREC® 24/7 chemical emergency response hotline, and runs the TRANSCAER® transportation emergency training program, along with ChemConnect, statistical subscription services, and federal/state policy advocacy on behalf of its members.

Product overview

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is a trade association representing chemical manufacturers, operating as a unified advocacy and industry leadership organization rather than a commercial product company. ACC's core offerings include the Responsible Care® program (mandatory safety and sustainability initiative with third-party certification), CHEMTREC® (emergency response), TRANSCAER® (transportation emergency training), ChemConnect (supply chain platform), and Operation Clean Sweep® (plastic stewardship). Supplementary programs include the Chemical Products and Technology Division managing 100+ chemical-specific groups, the Plastics Industry Producers' Statistics Group (resin data), the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (HBCU scholarships), the Long-Range Research Initiative (chemical safety research), and the Chemistry Action Network (policy coalition).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CHEMTREC® 24/7 chemical emergency response service providing hazmat emergency coordination and technical emergency information for chemical transportation incidents; available to chemical manufacturers, shippers, carriers, and emergency responders.
• TRANSCAER® Transportation emergency response training and outreach program for communities and first responders handling chemical transportation incidents.
• ChemConnect Industry platform connecting chemical manufacturers and supply chain partners, facilitating coordination across the chemical value chain.
• Plastics Industry Producers' Statistics Group Subscription-based statistical service providing detailed monthly production and end-use sales data reports for major thermoplastic and thermoset resins, delivered to industry subscribers.
• Chemical Products and Technology Division (CPTD) Membership division managing more than 100 self-funded, chemical-specific groups focused on issues relevant to chemical manufacturers and downstream users across product categories.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5X better worker safety rate than US manufacturing sector overall
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Stop the Rail Merger CoalitionmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 April 2026Coalition launched to oppose Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. Includes American Farm Bureau Federation, Teamsters Rail Conference, BNSF Railway, CPKC Railway, and over 100 state and federal policymakers. ACC serves as a founding member of this coalition to protect rail competition for chemical shippers.
• Plastics Industry AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 April 2026Joint legislative fly-in in Washington D.C. bringing together stakeholders from plastics value chain to advocate for U.S. manufacturing capacity, fair trade policies, and recycling infrastructure through streamlined permitting.
• Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2026Renewed Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cross-border collaboration and align Responsible Care certification. CIAC will adopt ACC's Responsible Care Management System (RCMS)/RC14001 certification model as exclusive pathway for member certification, streamlining processes for multinational companies.
• National Association of the Chemical Industry of Mexico (ANIQ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2026Joint advocacy with ACC and CIAC (Chemistry Industry Association of Canada) for USMCA trade agreement renewal and full implementation. Presented joint recommendations for the upcoming USMCA review including improving enforcement and expanding manufacturing investments through the Chemical Sectoral Annex.
• Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2026Co-hosted second annual Swings for STEM charity golf tournament, raising $111,000 for STEM education initiatives including Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) and Creating Exciting Futures in STEM (CEFinSTEM).
• Rail Customer CoalitionmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 December 2025Coalition of manufacturing groups opposing the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, representing sectors providing over 7 million American jobs and $4.8 trillion in economic output.
• Plastics Industry AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Co-administers Operation Clean Sweep (OCS), a plastic resin stewardship program focused on preventing plastic pellet, flake, and powder loss. OCS has over 6,000 participating companies worldwide representing over 65% of U.S. plastic resin production capacity.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2017Formal alliance transitioned to Ambassador relationship for worker safety in the polyurethane industry. Developed resources including medical screening guides and PPE infographics for automotive refinishing sector. The Ambassador designation does not require periodic renewal.
• Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner cited in Liquid Cooling for AI Act legislation, providing data on U.S. data center energy consumption projections.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Petroleum Institute (API): Largest U.S. oil and gas trade association with significant overlap on petrochemicals, OSHA rulemaking, and energy/climate policy. Operates at broader energy-industry scope but competes with ACC for influence on chemical-relevant regulation.
• National Association of Manufacturers (NAM): Largest U.S. manufacturing trade association with broad advocacy on tax, trade, energy, and labor policy. Overlaps with ACC on member-firm-level policy but at a broader manufacturing scope, serving as both a complement and competitor for ACC's federal advocacy.
• European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic): European chemical-industry trade association with parallel Responsible Care governance, REACH advocacy, and industry-statistics functions. Comparable to ACC in mandate and is the counterpart at the EU level, often partnering on international chemical management policy.

Direct peers

• National Association of the Chemical Industry of Mexico (ANIQ): Mexican chemical industry trade association and trilateral ACC partner; jointly advocates with ACC on USMCA and Responsible Care alignment. Closest functional peer in Latin America and direct counterparty on cross-border regulatory cooperation.
• Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA): U.S. trade association serving specialty and batch chemical manufacturers with advocacy, EHS programs, and industry networking — directly comparable to ACC in mission, membership model, and advocacy focus, though focused on the specialty/batch segment.
• Plastics Industry Association: U.S. trade association for the plastics industry value chain; co-administers Operation Clean Sweep with ACC and co-hosts the Swings for STEM charity event. Directly comparable as a materials-vertical industry association with joint advocacy and programming.
• American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM): Trade association representing U.S. refiners and petrochemical manufacturers; closely overlaps with ACC on petrochemical policy, OSHA rulemaking (e.g., Walking-Working Surfaces), and energy/regulatory advocacy, with a comparable dues-funded advocacy model.
• Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC): Canadian counterpart to ACC; originated the Responsible Care initiative in 1985 and is a formal partner under the renewed trilateral MOU. Closest functional peer in mandate, Responsible Care governance, and advocacy structure.
• International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA): Global umbrella organization coordinating chemical industry associations (including ACC, Cefic, and CIAC) on Responsible Care, sustainability, and international chemicals policy — operates as ACC's global institutional counterpart.
• National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD): U.S. trade association for chemical distributors with a parallel Responsible Care distribution program (the NACD Responsible Distribution verification). Overlaps with ACC's Affiliate Members and competes for advocacy on distribution, transportation, and EHS policy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Amchemistry
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AmericanChemistry
• Facebookfacebook.com/1413810645526174
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-chemistry-council

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The American Chemistry Council (ACC)