ACS Declares Rohm and Haas Chemistry Historic Landmark
The development of water-based acrylic emulsion technology – found in everything from house paints to adhesives, roof coatings, highway line markings, and home insulation – by Rohm and Haas Co. has been designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark by the American Chemical Society (ACS).
The landmark status will be conferred by the world's largest scientific society during ceremonies in Philadelphia on Sept. 15.
Rohm and Haas' acrylic emulsion technology joins such esteemed company as flame-retardant cotton, Bakelite plastics, the introduction of nylon, the creation of Scotch® transparent tape, and Tide®, the first heavy-duty synthetic laundry detergent.
"It is quite an honor to be recognized as the key developer of acrylic emulsion technology by such an esteemed organization as the ACS," said Raj L. Gupta, chair and chief executive officer of the company. "The pivotal role Rohm and Haas has played reflects the inventiveness and leadership of both our customers and the thousands of employees whose work has transformed multiple industries – all the while eliminating the air pollution caused by the technologies our water-based chemistry replaced. The good news is that there is tremendous life yet for acrylic emulsion technology."
Pioneered by Rohm and Haas, water-based acrylic technology for the paint market has taken 20 million tons of volatile organic compounds out of the air since 1953, based on studies conducted by the company.
To celebrate this honor, Rohm and Haas, in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, seeks to help families maintain and better their homes with the launch of its $pruce Up Your Home contest. Beginning Sept. 15, consumers can visit www.paintquality.com/spruceup, the company's Paint Quality Institute, to enter for a chance to win a $5,000 home improvement gift card and exterior paint makeover (Grand Prize) or to be one of eight first-place winners who will receive new exterior paint for their homes. Winners will receive a young spruce tree on behalf of the Arbor Day Foundation and 10,000 trees will be distributed in the Grand Prize winner's community, all in the name of having a positive impact on the environment and the communities in which we live.