The creation of the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) in London in 1881 led to the eventual formation of a number of satellite groups.

On May 2, 1894, analytical chemist Arthur McGeorge met with seven other members of London's Society of Chemical Industry who were active in New York.

Their proposal was enthusiastically received by London president E. C. C. Stanford, who wrote "We are pleased to add the stars and stripes to our highly respectable old colours.

[1]: 9  The London group's president Thomas Tyrer and foreign secretary Ludwig Mond attended the October 1895 fall meeting in New York, which was rescheduled so that they could participate.

Mason emphasized that the new organization did not intend to compete with the ACS, but rather to bring together academic and manufacturing chemists: We believe there is room for our Society in America... the industrial applications of chemistry have become so numerous that the existence of a separate body to especially consider this branch is desirable."

[5] The American section also engaged in early lobbying efforts, as in 1907, when they passed a resolution protesting that Rules and Regulations published by the Department of Agriculture displayed a "lack of expert knowledge.

Previous chairpersons include Frank Bozich, John Paro, Max Tishler, Ralph Landau, Harold Sorgenti, Charles O. Holliday,[1]: 91–92  and Christopher D.

[11] Since 2004 SCI America has awarded a medal in honor of Gordon E. Moore, for early-career innovation involving the application of chemistry.

[14] SCI America also works with the ACS and the AIChE FOSSI program to support scholars in chemistry and chemical engineering.