About BAM
Baillie Advanced Materials LLC was established in 2014 through the merger of APS Fluoropolymers and Baillie Advanced Materials Inc. APS Fluoropolymers was originally founded in 2011 by its parent company, Akron Polymer Systems.
Today, Baillie Advanced Materials offers a comprehensive portfolio of fluoropolymer materials engineered to meet the exacting performance requirements of a wide range of industrial applications. Our products are available in numerous grades and specifications, allowing customers to select solutions tailored to their specific needs.
All materials are manufactured in world-class, ISO 9001-certified facilities, ensuring consistent quality, reliability, and full compliance with internationally recognized standards.
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to be the trusted supplier of fluoropolymer and specialty polymer materials, delivering exceptional quality and competitive value. We are committed to exceeding customer expectations through reliable products, responsive service, and technical expertise; earning the confidence and recommendations of our partners across the industries we serve.
Principals
Richard L Baillie
President, Baillie Advanced Materials LLC
Richard earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Washington. In 1980, he joined DuPont’s fluoropolymer research group, where he contributed to the development of several key processes and products. He later transitioned into technical service and sales roles within the organization. During his tenure at DuPont, Richard managed the FKM manufacturing facility in Deepwater, New Jersey, which produced Viton® and Kalrez®, and later oversaw operations at the fluoropolymer (Teflon®) manufacturing plant in Washington, West Virginia. He also led DuPont’s global Teflon® industrial finishes business.
In 1996, Richard joined W. L. Gore & Associates, a leading processor of fluoropolymers. There, he was responsible for global fluoropolymer procurement and served as the principal investigator for the invention and development of Glide® Comfort Plus dental floss. He also led an electrochemistry business unit and served on the board of a Chinese joint venture focused on the production of fluoropolymers. During this time, he was also chairman of the Society of the Plastics Industry’s fluoropolymer division and the Fluoropolymer Processors Group.
Following his time at Gore, Richard served as Vice President of Marketing at Shamrock Technologies, a leading producer of PTFE micropowders.
In 2009, Richard co-founded Delaware Specialty Distribution (DSD), now known as Fluorogistix®. The company serves as the exclusive U.S. distributor of fluoropolymer resins for DuPont. In this role, he was responsible for sales leadership and new business development.
Throughout his career, Richard has remained deeply involved in the fluoropolymer industry, with experience spanning research and development, manufacturing, sales, procurement, and executive leadership. He has also been active in industry trade associations. His vision continues to focus on delivering high-quality materials, exceptional customer service, and strong technical support to the fluoropolymer marketplace.
Frank W. Harris
President and CEO, Akron Polymer Systems
Dr. Frank W. Harris earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Iowa and joined The University of Akron in 1983 as a Professor. In 1994, he was promoted to Distinguished Professor of Polymer Science and Biomedical Engineering. During his academic career, he served as Director of the Maurice Morton Institute of Polymer Science and was an American Editor of the international journal Polymer. In 2008, Dr. Harris retired from the University of Akron to focus full time on leading Akron Polymer Systems as President and CEO.
Dr. Harris is internationally recognized for his contributions to polymer science and has been active in the field for more than three decades. His research has focused on high-performance polymers, including fluorinated polyimides, poly(perfluorinatedcyclobutanes), and fluoroelastomers. One of the commercial fluorinated polymers he developed, used as an optical compensation film, has generated more than $1 billion in product sales. He has also served as a visiting professor at numerous universities throughout East Asia.
Prior to founding Akron Polymer Systems, Dr. Harris established several successful companies, including Daychem Laboratories in Dayton, Ohio, Ballard Advanced Materials in Vancouver, Canada, and Boca Advanced Materials in Cincinnati, Ohio. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Brady Corporation, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Dr. Harris holds more than 40 patents and has authored over 225 peer-reviewed scientific publications, reflecting his significant and lasting impact on the field of polymer science.