Evonik’s Tom Bates Elected To American Chemistry Council Board of Directors

The American Chemistry Council (ACC), which represents the companies that make the products that make modern life possible, yesterday elected Evonik Degussa Corporation president Thomas Bates to its Board of Directors.

ACC President and Chief Executive Officer Cal Dooley noted that chemistry is an enabler of modern life in all capacities, from advanced medical technologies to clean drinking water. “The ACC looks forward to working with Tom and the rest of the Board to continue ACC’s mission of strengthening the chemistry industry and ensuring we continue our critical role in advocacy,” he said.

Bates, who was named president of Evonik Degussa last year, noted that the $664 billion chemical industry supported 4% of the U.S. workforce – 863,000 employees – plus 4.8 million indirect jobs. “I am both thrilled and honored to be elected to the American Chemistry Council Board of Directors,” he said. “I look forward to continuing the ACC’s work with Congress, the Obama Administration, and state and local officials to make sure our voice is heard on the important contributions of the business of chemistry.”

Evonik Degussa Corporation has about 4,000 employees in 57 locations throughout North America. The company has 33 manufacturing sites – 28 in the US and five in Canada and 24 offices/labs/warehouses/distribution centers.

Under Bates’ leadership, Evonik Degussa Corporation’s operations in Mobile have expanded. Last year, the company inaugurated a multimillion dollar ROHACELL rigid polymethacrylimide foam production facility. A 60,000 metric ton alkoxide production plant is currently under construction at the site.

Bates joined Evonik in 1988 as Director of Manufacturing of the company's Silicas and Chemical Catalysts Division in North America. Three years later, he was named Director of Global Production, Functional Silanes for the Aerosil & Silanes business unit in Rheinfelden, Germany. In 2002, Bates was appointed Vice President and Site Manager of Evonik’s Mobile facility.

Bates serves on numerous boards in Alabama, including the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, The Forum, Chemical Council of Manufacture Alabama and the Engineering College of University of South Alabama, the Gulf Coast Exploreum, and the WHIL Executive Committee.