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American Chemical
Manufacturing
Summit

2025


December 9-10, 2025

chemmansummit.com

Tomorrow's Connection Today

Designing a new future for manufacturing, quality and supply chain leaders


+1-416-298-7005


Program

Program · Day 1

December 9, 2025

* JOIN US FOR THE PRE-EVENT HAPPY HOUR on December 8, 2025 FROM 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

7:00 am – 8:00 am CST

Delegate Registration and Networking Breakfast

8:00 am – 8:10 am CST

Chair's Welcome and Opening Remarks

Manufacturing Operations

Dan Key

SVP and Chief Operations Officer
Solenis

Quality and HSE

8:10 am – 8:20 am CST

Mayor's Welcome Address

John Whitmire

Mayor
City of Houston

8:20 am – 8:50 am CST

Keynote

Rebecca Teeters, Ph.D.

SVP, Fluoromaterial Stewardship and President Chemical Operations LLC
3M

Driving Operational Excellence and Sustainability through Leadership and Innovation

  • Cultivating a culture of accountability and shared success in global chemical operations
  • Leveraging advanced manufacturing technologies for quality, delivery, and cost efficiency Enhancing environmental stewardship through sustainable operational practices
  • Building empowered teams with a focus on continuous improvement and profitability
  • Applying servant leadership and coaching to foster growth and innovation in operations
8:50 am – 9:20 am CST

Plenary

Dan Key

SVP and Chief Operations Officer
Solenis

Crafting a Best-in-Class, Integrated Global End-to-End Supply Chain

  • What does supply chain excellence look like at Solenis?
  • Success stories in strategic and operational planning, executing change, and driving performance
  • Best practices for transformations, cost reductions, and supply chain optimization
  • Uncovering strategies for network optimization, employee engagement, and development
  • Improving organizational structures to enhance enterprise end-to-end supply chain performance
9:20 am – 9:50 am CST

Plenary

Björn Jackisch, Ph.D.

President, US Operations and SVP, Operations and Supply Chain
Adhesive Technologies

Leveraging Data and AI to Drive Digital Transformation in Manufacturing

  • Exploring how data analytics and AI are shaping Industry 4.0 in Henkel’s smart factories
  • The importance of digitalizing existing production sites to optimize processes and improve decision-making
  • Overcoming challenges of varied machine types and manufacturing processes in global operations
  • Integrating customer feedback into production processes through digital platforms for continuous improvement
  • The role of people in successful digital transformation: building skilled teams and fostering collaboration
  • Achieving prescriptive operations through data transparency, AI tools, and sustainable process design
9:55 am – 11:35 am CST

Refreshments, Networking, and Pre-Arranged 1-2-1 Meetings

11:40 am – 12:10 pm CST

sessions

Manufacturing Operations

Building a Culture of Continuous Process Improvement to Drive Long-Term Production Efficiency

  • Understanding the principles of CPI and how it contributes to sustained operational efficiency in chemical manufacturing
  • Fostering a mindset of ongoing evaluation, collaboration, and improvement across all levels of the organization
  • Identifying inefficiencies, reducing waste, and enhancing productivity
  • Involving frontline workers in the improvement process through empowerment, feedback loops, and collaborative problem-solving
  • Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) and using data analytics to track the impact of CPI efforts and ensure measurable improvements

Quality and HSE

Speaker TBA


OSHA

Process Safety Management (PSM): How OSHA is Protecting Industry from Risks

  • Understanding the role of OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) in preventing accidents
  • Discussing key PSM requirements: Safety reviews, employee participation, and proactive risk management
  • The importance of regular inspections and preventive maintenance programs to mitigate chemical hazards
  • Crafting and implementing emergency response plans to ensure effective action during chemical releases and accidents
  • Supporting continuous improvement and compliance in chemical manufacturing
  • Best practices for fostering a safety-first culture in chemical plants and maintaining PSM compliance
12:15 pm – 12:45 pm CST

Workshops

Room 1

Leveraging Digital Tools, IoT, and Data Analytics to Optimize Manufacturing Operations and Drive Real-Time Decision-Making

  • Understanding how digital tools and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are transforming chemical manufacturing operations for greater efficiency
  • Implementing IoT sensors and digital platforms to collect real-time data on production performance, equipment health, and environmental conditions
  • Utilizing advanced data analytics to interpret complex data sets, enabling faster, informed decisions and proactive issue resolution
  • Using data to predict equipment failures before they occur, minimizing downtime, and extending asset life
  • Applying data-driven insights to optimize production schedules, reduce bottlenecks, and improve overall efficiency

Room 2

Decarbonization Innovations, Challenges, and Opportunities

  • Exploring the role of emerging technologies like carbon capture, renewable energy, and energy-efficient processes in decarbonizing operations
  • Balancing production growth with environmental responsibilities to meet sustainability goals
  • Overcoming barriers to adopting green technologies and integrating them into existing manufacturing processes
  • Insights into regulatory pressures, industry standards, and how they are shaping sustainable practices in manufacturing
  • Strategies for fostering innovation while driving operational efficiency and cost control in sustainable manufacturing
12:50 pm – 1:50 pm CST

Lunch & Learn Roundtable Discussions and Open Seating Lunch

Benefit from additional learning by joining a moderated roundtable discussion on pressing issues in the industry. Registration is required, and attendance for moderated roundtables on Day 1 is limited to attendees and speakers. Choose from:

Optimizing Raw Materials Management: Strategies for Balancing Supply, Demand, and Cost Efficiency

Navigating Complex Industry Regulations: Best Practices for Achieving and Maintaining Compliance

Adapting Global Supply Chains: Tackling Challenges and Mitigating Transportation Disruptions

Ensuring Consistent Product Quality: Managing Standards Amid Supply Chain Instability and Raw Material Variability

Overcoming Data Integration Challenges: Streamlining Real-Time Decision-Making with Advanced Analytics

Hazardous Waste Management Best Practices: Navigating Disposal Regulations to Achieve Environmental Compliance

1:55 pm – 2:25 pm CST

Sessions

Manufacturing Operations

Cost Efficiency and Asset Rationalization: Strategies for Operational Optimization in Chemical Manufacturing

  • Addressing the challenges of reduced demand, high inventories, and the need for efficiency improvements
  • Techniques for optimizing operations, reducing excess capacity, and leveraging regional opportunities to improve profitability
  • How rationalizing assets and making selective operations decisions can help companies navigate economic pressures and enhance profitability
  • Understanding how regional economic factors, including energy prices and inflation, impact cost structures and demand in different markets
  • Evaluating the effect of excess production capacity and low operating rates

Quality and HSE

Loan Ngô

VP, Quality, Americas
Henkel

Leveraging Total Quality Management (TQM), Data Analytics, and Culture to Drive Continuous Improvement 

  • Understanding the principles of TQM and how they drive both operational excellence and business results
  • Leadership strategies to create a TQM-driven culture that fosters high-performance teams
  • Case study: Leveraging data and Statistical Quality Control (SQC) to help detect abnormalities and enable better decision-making
  • Discussing quality improvements and their direct impact on cost, customer satisfaction, and business performance
  • Demonstrating the importance people, process, and technology in achieving systemic quality and future readiness
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm CST

Workshops

Room 1

Navigating Regional Shifts in Supply and Demand to Better Adapt to Global Production and Trade Changes

  • Analyzing the impact of changing economic growth patterns in China, Southeast Asia, and Africa on global supply chains
  • Examining how production shortages in Europe could result in increased imports from regions like the U.S. and Middle East
  • Exploring the trend of regionalizing manufacturing, focusing on how it affects the supply chain and global competition
  • How government incentives in the U.S. are driving the growth of industries like battery manufacturing and reshaping global markets
  • How to mitigate risks by expanding supply networks and increasing flexibility in sourcing and production

Room 2

Advancing Quality Management Systems: Enhancing Compliance, Efficiency, and Risk Management

  • Understanding the role of OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) in preventing accidents
  • Discussing key PSM requirements: Safety reviews, employee participation, and proactive risk management
  • The importance of regular inspections and preventive maintenance programs to mitigate chemical hazards
  • Crafting and implementing emergency response plans to ensure effective action during chemical releases and accidents
  • Supporting continuous improvement and compliance in chemical manufacturing
  • Best practices for fostering a safety-first culture in chemical plants and maintaining PSM compliance
3:05 pm – 4:25 pm CST

Happy Hour, Networking and Pre-Arranged 1-2-1 Meetings

4:30 pm – 5:00 pm CST

PANEL DISCUSSION

  • Sven Fastré

    VP, Operational Excellence
    BASF

  • Agustin García Argibay

    VP, Global Supply Chain and Managing Director, Latin America
    Eastman

  • Maureen Sorensen

    VP, Operations
    RPM International

  • Lauri Boulge

    VP, Supply Chain, Energy and Sustainability
    Honeywell

Leveraging Lean and Six Sigma to Drive Next-Level Performance

  • Leveraging Lean tools for process redesign to drive breakthrough improvements in production flow and supply chain
  • Reducing process variation and achieving near-zero defect levels in high-volume manufacturing
  • Case studies demonstrating the ROI of Lean and Six Sigma in scaling operations and improving margins
  • Addressing the challenges of aligning Lean and Six Sigma initiatives with corporate culture and leadership engagement
  • Quantifying continuous improvement initiatives on operational sustainability, profitability, and market competitiveness
5:05 pm – 5:35 pm CST

Plenary

Securing Chemical Manufacturing: The Department of Homeland Security’s Role in Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

  • How DHS works to secure chemical facilities
  • Identifying and assessing high-risk chemical facilities: Criteria for facilities that may pose security threats
  • Key CFATS requirements: Risk assessments, site security plans, and mandatory security measures for chemical manufacturers
  • Ensuring chemical facilities meet security regulations to prevent terrorism and misuse of chemicals
  • Best practices for compliance: Strengthening security practices and mitigating vulnerabilities within chemical operations
  • Monitoring, enforcement, and continuous improvement in facility security to protect national interests
5:45 pm – 6:30 pm CST

Panel Discussion

  • Hector Rivero

    President and CEO
    Texas Chemistry Council

  • Bruce Sullivan

    VP and Head, Supply Chain and Logistics, North America
    Covestro

  • Sunita Rai Singh

    VP and General Manager
    Honeywell

  • Beth Galvin

    VP, Polypropylene, Vistamaxx and Exact
    ExxonMobil

  • Usha Dasari, Ph.D.

    VP, Global Supply Chain and Digitization
    Huntsman Corporation

Panel Discussion: Attracting, Retaining, and Developing Top Talent for the Future of Chemical Manufacturing

  • Navigating the talent shortage: Unpacking its impact on the future of chemical manufacturing
  • Proven strategies for attracting elite professionals in a highly competitive market
  • Developing training and upskilling programs that equip workers with cutting-edge technical skills
  • Cultivating transformational leadership that inspires teams, drives performance, and fosters a high-engagement culture
  • Ensuring a resilient and future-ready workforce in an ever-evolving industry
6:30 pm – 6:40 pm CST

Chair's closing remarks

Manufacturing Operations

Dan Key

SVP and Chief Operations Officer
Solenis

Quality and HSE

6:45 pm – 7:45 pm CST

Networking drinks reception

Program · Day 2

December 10, 2025

7:00 am – 8:00 am CST

Delegate Registration and Networking Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast and networking in the Exhibition Hall, followed by the Women in Leadership Panel Discussion in Room 1. The discussion features insights and experiences from inspirational leaders in manufacturing, quality, supply chain and HSE. Breakfast begins at 7:00 a.m., and the panel runs from 7:15 to 8:00 a.m. CST.

  • Rebecca Teeters, Ph.D.

    SVP, Fluoromaterial Stewardship and President Chemical Operations LLC
    3M

  • María Isabel Brennan

    Chief Supply Chain Officer
    Albemarle Corporation

  • Gulay Serhatkulu, Ph.D.

    SVP, Petrochemicals, North America
    BASF

  • Jane Thomas

    President, Teijin Holdings USA, and Group Chief Representative of the Americas
    Teijin Limited

  • Adriana Macouzet-Flores

    VP, Latin America and General Manager, Protective and Marine Coatings
    PPG

Panel Discussion: Women in Leadership

  • What's one leadership lesson you've learned in your career?
  • As a leader, what has been the most significant barrier in your career?
  • How do you and your organization empower the next generation of skilled professionals?
  • What is the best piece of advice you've received from leadership?
  • What advice would you give to the next generation of leaders?
8:00 am – 8:10 am CST

Chair's Welcome and Opening Remarks

MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS

Dan Key

SVP and Chief Operations Officer
Solenis

QUALITY AND HSE

8:10 am – 8:40 am CST

Keynote

Adapting Supply Chains for a Changing World: Strategies for Manufacturing, Quality, HSE, and Operations Leaders

  • Ensuring flexibility to adapt to pandemics, geopolitical shifts, and other uncertainties
  • Optimizing operations for faster adaptability to shifting demand and supply conditions
  • Balancing health, safety, and environmental concerns while adapting supply chains for efficiency
  • Using data-driven insights to enhance decision-making and risk management in manufacturing and logistics
  • Maintaining high product quality standards despite supply chain disruptions and fluctuating material availability
  • Building strategic partnerships with key suppliers to mitigate risks and ensure continuity
8:40 am – 9:10 am CST

Plenary

Ensuring Environmental Compliance: Navigating the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

  • How the EPA evaluates and regulates chemicals to ensure public health and environmental protection
  • Assessing chemical risks and the process for determining whether a chemical can be safely used
  • Complying with TSCA reporting requirements, including submitting data on new and existing chemicals
  • Managing international compliance and ensuring global supply chains adhere to TSCA standards
  • How manufacturers can navigate TSCA regulations while developing new products and manufacturing existing products
9:15 am – 9:45 am CST

Workshops

Room 1

Optimizing Operational Efficiency in the Face of Market Fluctuations

  • Understanding the challenges posed by global market shifts and how to optimize production efficiency
  • Implementing cost-control strategies in response to market instability and fluctuating raw material prices
  • Leveraging automation and digital technologies to enhance efficiency and reduce waste during economic downturns
  • Redesigning processes and operations for greater flexibility and adaptability to market changes
  • Evaluating the impact of market-driven operational changes on long-term growth and profitability
  • Case studies of successful operational adjustments in the chemical manufacturing industry during uncertain times

Room 2

Leveraging Data and Digital Tools to Strengthen Quality and HSE Compliance

  • The role of real-time data and IoT sensors in monitoring both quality and safety standards
  • Utilizing predictive analytics to prevent safety incidents and optimize quality control
  • How cloud-based software and AI can streamline compliance reporting and reduce human error
  • Real-world examples of data-driven decision-making in HSE and quality management
  • Exploring automation and digital tools that enable continuous quality improvements and operational efficiencies
  • Establishing an effective digital ecosystem that ensures seamless data flow across departments
9:50 am – 11:10 am CST

Refreshments, Networking, and Pre-Arranged 1-2-1 Meetings

11:15 am – 11:45 am CST

SESSIONS

MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS

Optimizing Manufacturing Processes: Strategies to Improve Process Flow, Reduce Cycle Time, and Boost Efficiency

  • Identifying bottlenecks, optimizing workflows, and streamlining the production process for enhanced efficiency
  • Leveraging digital tools, IoT, and data analytics to monitor and optimize manufacturing operations in real-time, driving faster decision-making
  • Improving Equipment Utilization: Strategies to enhance the utilization and uptime of critical manufacturing equipment, ensuring that production capacity is maximized
  • Workforce Optimization: Aligning workforce skills and capacity with production demands, enhancing team collaboration, and reducing downtime through effective training and deployment
  • Continuous Process Improvement: Establishing a culture of ongoing process evaluation and refinement to ensure long-term improvements in production efficiency

QUALITY AND HSE

Building Resilient Quality Systems for Managing Disruptions in Supply Chains and Operations

  • Adapting quality systems to maintain standards during supply chain interruptions or production disruptions
  • Developing contingency plans and alternative supply chain strategies for quality consistency
  • Utilizing real-time data and analytics to ensure continuous quality assurance in turbulent environments
  • How to ensure product integrity and consistency when facing raw material shortages or delays
  • Building supplier resilience and collaboration to mitigate quality risks during periods of uncertainty
  • The role of quality management in managing external risks, such as regulatory changes and geopolitical factors
11:50 pm – 12:20 am CST

WORKSHOPS

Room 1

Advancing Digital Transformation in Manufacturing: Unlocking the Potential of AI and IoT

  • Exploring the role of artificial intelligence and IoT in optimizing production workflows and asset performance
  • Using real-time data collection and predictive maintenance to prevent downtime and improve operational efficiency
  • Overcoming integration challenges when implementing AI and IoT solutions in legacy systems
  • Streamlining supply chain and manufacturing processes with data-driven insights from advanced analytics
  • Examining the role of digital twins in enhancing plant asset integrity and reducing operational risks

Room 2

Enhancing Quality Management Systems (QMS) for Global Compliance and Efficiency

  • Evolving QMS to meet increasingly complex regulatory standards in multiple markets
  • Aligning global QMS with industry standards, such as ISO 9001, GMP, for consistent compliance
  • How to streamline audit and inspection processes through advanced data management tools
  • Improving supplier quality management to ensure compliance and reduce supply chain risks
  • Building a culture of continuous improvement and quality excellence across multiple plants
  • Developing a robust risk management framework to proactively identify and mitigate quality risks
12:25 pm – 1:25 pm CST

Lunch & Learn Roundtable Discussions and Open Seating Lunch

Benefit from additional learning by joining a moderated roundtable discussion on pressing issues in the industry. Registration is required, and attendance for moderated roundtables on Day 1 is limited to attendees and speakers. Choose from:

Mary Jane Hibben

Senior Director, Polymer Technology
Sherwin-Williams

Scaling from R&D to Manufacturing: Bridging the Gap for Successful Commercialization

Florangel Perez, Ph.D.

VP, Technology Strategy and Raw Materials Technology
Axalta

Ensuring Raw Material Supply Security

Navigating the EPA’s Clean Air Act (CAA) and Clean Water Act (CWA): Compliance and Best Practices for Chemical Manufacturers

Implementing Sustainable Practices: Reducing the Environmental Impact of Chemical Manufacturing for Long-Term Viability

Building Resilient Operations: Developing Agile Models to Overcome Industry Challenges and Adapt to Market Shifts

Proactively Addressing Quality Gaps: Ensuring Operational Continuity in the Face of Supply Chain Disruptions

1:30 pm – 2:00 pm CST

SESSIONS

MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS

Kim Pankiewicz

VP and General Manager, Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) Pads
Entegris

Increasing Production Capacity to Support U.S. Semiconductor Manufacturing Expansion

  • Examining the growing role of chemicals in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing industries
  • Understanding the unique requirements for chemicals in semiconductor production, including stringent process controls
  • Addressing environmental concerns in semiconductor chemicals and working towards more sustainable processes
  • Leveraging advanced technologies and automation to improve chemical manufacturing efficiency and stability

QUALITY AND HSE

The Role of Quality in Driving Innovation and Sustainability in Chemical Manufacturing

  • Integrating sustainability into quality control processes while maintaining product excellence
  • Leveraging quality metrics to evaluate the environmental impact of manufacturing processes
  • Collaborating with R&D and production teams to design products that meet both quality and sustainability goals
  • Implementing green chemistry and sustainable practices without compromising quality standards
  • How quality management can support the development of environmentally-friendly product lines
  • Examining the future of quality in chemical manufacturing through the lens of circular economy principles
2:05 pm – 2:35 pm CST

Plenary

Unlocking Efficiency in through Digitalization and Automation

  • Exploring the role of digital twins for enhancing chemical plant asset integrity management
  • Implementing real-time monitoring to optimize plant performance and reduce downtime
  • How automation is revolutionizing supply chain and production processes in chemical plants
  • Overcoming barriers to integrating digital tools and automation into existing systems
  • Case studies of successful digitalization and automation efforts in chemical manufacturing
2:35 pm – 3:20 pm CST

Panel Discussion

Chemical Manufacturing Five Years Forward – Shaping the Future of the Industry

  • Insights on the challenges and strategies that will define the next five years in chemical manufacturing
  • Navigating the future, focusing on digitalization, automation, sustainability, and talent management
  • How digital tools, IoT, and data analytics will revolutionize operations and drive real-time decision-making
  • Addressing the skills gap and the need for a future-ready workforce equipped with the latest technical and leadership skills
  • How automation will play a crucial role in optimizing production processes and improving efficiency
  • Navigating changes in demand, regulations, and geopolitical influences that will impact global manufacturing operations
3:20 pm – 3:30 pm CST

Chair's Closing Remarks and Survey Prize Giveaway

MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS

Dan Key

SVP and Chief Operations Officer
Solenis

QUALITY AND HSE