Title: Retired Senior Process Chemist
Company: FMC Corporation
Location: Irmo, South Carolina, United States
Thomas Fulton Schlaf, PhD, Retired Senior Process Chemist at FMC Corporation, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Scientists for dedication, achievements and leadership in Process Chemistry.
As a distinguished expert in process chemistry, Dr. Schlaf built a career marked by decades of innovation and leadership in the chemical manufacturing sector. Most recently, he served as a senior process chemist with FMC Corporation in Axis, Alabama, beginning in 2017, following the acquisition of DuPont’s agricultural business division by FMC during the final years of his tenure. In this capacity, Dr. Schlaf concluded a prolific career marked by technical excellence and operational improvements that generated significant cost savings and advanced industry standards.
Dr. Schlaf’s tenure as a senior process chemist at DuPont in Axis spanned from 2011 to 2017. His role was defined by his commitment to optimizing large-scale chemical processes and mentoring colleagues through complex transitions in corporate structure and technology.
Previously, from 1990 to 2010, Dr. Schlaf contributed as a senior process chemist at a succession of organizations in Elgin, South Carolina, including Ethyl Hardwicke, MTM, BTP, Clariant and WeylChem. During this period, he played a pivotal role in transforming production methodologies for high-value intermediates used in insecticide manufacturing. Notably, Dr. Schlaf identified solvent system improvements that enabled extensive reuse of materials and introduced catalyst recycling techniques that improved yields while reducing costs by millions of dollars annually.
Between 1984 and 1990, Dr. Schlaf advanced process optimization as a senior process chemist at NutraSweet Company in Augusta, Georgia. He implemented a series of enhancements that increased product yields by over 5% and delivered cumulative savings valued at several hundred million dollars in just over five years. Earlier, as a staff chemist at DuPont’s Savannah River Plant in Aiken, South Carolina, from 1983 to 1984, Dr. Schlaf applied his expertise in nuclear safety before transitioning into roles better aligned with his passion for hands-on chemistry and family priorities.
Dr. Schlaf’s leadership emerged prominently during his time as technical supervisor of the petrochemicals department at DuPont’s Belle Plant in West Virginia between 1981 and 1983. He managed a technical team responsible for safety analyses and regulatory compliance during the industry’s initial rollout of Material Safety Data Sheets. Dr. Schlaf’s problem-solving acumen was demonstrated when he resolved a critical documentation issue involving hazardous materials classification within days through direct negotiation with manufacturers.
Initially hired by DuPont in 1979, Dr. Schlaf spent several years as a senior process chemist at its Belle facility. There, he led efforts to remediate off-specification toxic insecticide stockpiles, devising an innovative chemical treatment that reclaimed valuable raw materials and saved the company hundreds of thousands of dollars in disposal costs. Dr. Schlaf’s earlier work included international collaboration on the Glean herbicide project and the successful management of capital projects, such as ammonia refrigeration systems for large-scale storage tanks.
Dr. Schlaf began his professional journey with formative internships at Eastman Kodak Company in New York City and General Foods in Westchester County, New York. These early experiences provided practical exposure to research environments and set the stage for his later achievements.
In addition to his industrial roles, Dr. Schlaf has contributed significantly to education as an adjunct instructor at Midlands Technical College and a tutor at South University in Columbia, South Carolina. He also notably promoted industrial chemistry courses at the University of South Carolina. Today, Dr. Schlaf maintains a private tutoring business to support students pursuing careers in science.
Dr. Schlaf’s academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Missouri at Rolla, now Missouri University of Science and Technology, in 1969, where he excelled academically while serving as president of multiple student organizations. He then acquired a Doctor of Philosophy in organic chemistry from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, in 1973. There, Dr. Schlaf conducted advanced research on crop-damaging mold compounds under Professor James A. Marshall’s supervision and earned distinction for his contributions despite intense international competition on the project. His educational achievements have been instrumental throughout his career, equipping him with analytical rigor and research skills that underpinned major technical advancements across several companies.
In addition to his degrees, Dr. Schlaf earned a Lean Six Sigma green belt certification after overcoming significant challenges during training in Mobile, Alabama. This achievement led to textbook-quality project results praised by corporate leadership and substantial cost savings for his employer.
Throughout his career, Dr. Schlaf has been an active member of the American Chemical Society for more than 50 years and served as the president of the W.T. Schrenk Chemical Society during his undergraduate studies. Civic engagement has been central to Dr. Schlaf’s life beyond industry contributions. He is affiliated with the Intercollegiate Knights organization, has served on the board of a crisis pregnancy center in Augusta, delivered devotional talks and presentations at his local church, participated actively in church men’s groups, joined the Golden Eagles ministry for individuals aged 55 and older, and organized cantata performances that inspired participants toward careers in Christian service.
Creatively inclined since childhood, Dr. Schlaf continues to write humorous analyses and inspirational essays on topics ranging from scientific curiosity to reflections on nature, such as “The Trees That I’ve Known.” His writing is shared within church circles and among friends who value both its wit and insight.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, into a family steeped in engineering innovation, with a father who pioneered vending machine technology despite limited formal education, Dr. Schlaf developed early leadership skills as the president of several high school organizations before embarking on an academic path that would shape his future success. Looking ahead, he aims to leverage his scientific background to help individuals manage health conditions through alternative approaches such as natural supplements. He is motivated by personal experience managing incurable neuropathy through alternative means, and inspired by advocacy movements focused on holistic wellness.
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