The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD)

What The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) does

The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD), now operating as the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD), is a U.S.-based international trade association founded in 1971 that represents chemical distributors and their supply-chain partners. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the organization serves chemical distribution companies ranging from small regional distributors to large national firms, addressing pain points such as regulatory compliance, environmental health and safety standards, workforce development, supply-chain logistics, and government policy impacts.

ACD's core offerings center on three pillars: the Responsible Distribution program (a comprehensive environmental, health, and sustainability standards framework with third-party verification), Government Affairs and Policy Advocacy (state advocacy network, Capitol Hill engagement, and the Washington Fly-In), and Education & Meetings (ChemEdge, Regional Meetings, Washington Fly-In, and the Annual Meeting). Supporting member resources include the Workforce Advantage Playbook, Membership Directory, ACD Invoice Portal, Member Toolkit, Searchable Resource Library, ACD Store, and a Strategic Partners program. The underlying technology consists of authenticated member web portals and a content/resource library rather than a software product platform.

The business model is membership-based recurring subscription revenue from chemical distribution companies, supplemented by event registration, sponsorships, the ACD store, and strategic partner programs. Pricing details are not publicly disclosed, and the organization is structured as a member-governed non-profit with 11-50 employees. Distribution is direct through the website join page, member portal, and events, with marketing executed through organic social (LinkedIn, Twitter/X, YouTube), a blog (Responsible Reflections), press releases, and advocacy-driven earned media.

Name

The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD)

Legal name

Alliance for Chemical Distribution

Website

https://nacd.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD, formerly NACD) is a U.S.-based trade association founded in 1971 that serves chemical distribution companies through advocacy, the Responsible Distribution verification program, and recurring education and networking events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

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: ACD generates revenue primarily through membership dues from chemical distribution companies. The association offers various membership tiers and member services including the member assets portal, marketing opportunities, and the ACD store.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ACD (formerly NACD) is a non-profit trade association that provides membership-based services to chemical distribution companies. Its core offerings include the Responsible Distribution verification program (a third-party-verified environmental, health, and safety standard), government affairs and policy advocacy including the annual Washington Fly-In, and a calendar of educational meetings and events (ChemEdge, Regional Meetings, Annual Meeting). Members also gain access to the Membership Directory, Member Toolkit, Searchable Resource Library, Workforce Advantage Playbook, and the ACD Store.

Product overview

The Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) is a trade association serving the chemical distribution industry, offering a platform of programs and member resources. The core offerings include the Responsible Distribution Program (environmental, health, and sustainability standards), Government Affairs & Policy Advocacy, and Education & Meetings (ChemEdge, Regional Meetings, Washington Fly-In, Annual Meeting). Member resources include the Workforce Advantage Playbook, Membership Directory, ACD Invoice Portal, Member Toolkit, and Searchable Resource Library. ACD operates as a membership organization rather than a software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Responsible Distribution Program A comprehensive environmental, health, and sustainability standards program for chemical distribution member companies, including third-party verification and ongoing support services to confirm compliance with industry-specific EHS requirements.
• Education & Meetings Program A calendar of industry events, educational workshops, and meetings including ChemEdge, Regional Meetings, Washington Fly-In, and the Annual Meeting, designed for chemical distribution professionals to access training, thought leadership, and peer networking.
• Government Affairs & Policy Advocacy Policy issue advocacy, state advocacy network, and Capitol Hill engagement including the Washington Fly-In, providing member companies with collective representation on trade, transportation, environmental, and cybersecurity policy matters.
• ACD Store An online storefront where members and industry stakeholders can purchase training materials, industry resources, and ACD-branded merchandise.
• Membership Directory A searchable directory of ACD member companies in the chemical distribution industry, accessible through the member portal, enabling members to find potential business partners.
• Workforce Advantage Playbook A workforce development resource providing guidance on building, managing, and developing talent within chemical distribution companies.
• Strategic Partners Program A partner program offering ACD members access to benefits and services from vetted industry vendors and service providers who support ACD programs.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Strategic PartnersminorOthersACD maintains a Strategic Partners page on their website under Industry Resources, though no specific partner companies are named in the source data. The page likely lists industry vendors and service providers who support ACD programs and members.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA): US trade association for the household and commercial products industry with adjacent chemical-handling and distribution concerns. Comparable association operating model and policy engagement on chemical regulation relevant to ACD members.

Regional players

• Canadian Association of Chemical Distributors (CACD): Canadian national association for chemical distributors offering advocacy and Responsible Distribution-style compliance. Closely analogous institutional structure and serves as ACD's regional peer in the North American chemical distribution landscape.
• European Association of Chemical Distributors (FECC): European counterpart association representing chemical distributors across Europe. Comparable membership-association model and Responsible Care-style verification culture, serving as ACD's main regional/international peer on chemical distribution advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• American Chemistry Council (ACC): Larger trade association representing the broader US chemistry industry, including manufacturers with significant downstream distribution interests. Comparable advocacy and policy infrastructure, broader portfolio of programs, and overlapping government affairs footprint make it ACD's chief broader-incumbent peer.
• National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW): Federation of US wholesale-distribution trade associations with broad coverage across vertical distribution segments. Comparable member-services and policy-advocacy model, and a relevant comparison for ACD's role representing chemical distributors within the broader distribution ecosystem.
• American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM): Trade association for US fuel and petrochemical manufacturers with downstream distribution member overlap. Comparable advocacy function on rail, tariffs, and chemical regulation that intersect with ACD's policy agenda.

Direct peers

• Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA): US trade association representing specialty and batch chemical manufacturers and affiliates, including distribution partners. Directly comparable as a chemistry-sector industry body providing advocacy, member programs, and standards — overlapping ACD's member services and policy mandate.
• Drug, Chemical & Associated Trades Association (DCAT): Industry association serving the drug, chemical, and allied trades, with strong overlap on chemical distribution and supply-chain companies. Highly comparable member-base profile and association services model to ACD.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nacd_rd
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/nacdrdp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-association-of-chemical-distributors-nacd-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD)