May 7 2009
The Société de Chimie Industrielle-American Section has awarded the 2009 International Palladium Medal to DuPont Chairman Charles O. Holliday, Jr. for his "distinguished contributions to the chemical industry."
"Chad came up through the ranks of DuPont from his start at the Old Hickory, Tenn., plant, through our hero brand fiber products including Kevlar and Tyvek, followed by time spent building our Asia Pacific businesses," said DuPont CEO Ellen J. Kullman. "This background gave Chad a unique perspective on DuPont that has drawn him to a concept he made central to our mission as a company - 'sustainable growth.' I think his success and DuPont's success by extension is due to the fact that Chad convincingly made the business case for sustainability and has molded it into a business imperative."
"Chad Holliday has been at the top of the chemical industry leadership for the past decade, which has been a transformational period. The Palladium Committee recognized his efforts to advance science through the integration of biology and chemistry; to accelerate the globalization of the industry; and to make significant private and public contributions beyond his own company," said John Roberts, chairman of the International Palladium Medal Award Committee.
Holliday is the third DuPont leader to receive this prestigious recognition. Past DuPont recipients include Edward R. Kane in 1979 and Edgar S. Woolard, Jr. in 1995. Kane was DuPont president and chief operating officer from 1973-1980 and Woolard was DuPont chairman and CEO from 1989-1995.
In 1958, the American Section for the United States instituted the International Palladium Medal, which "may be awarded annually to an individual who has distinguished himself or herself by reason of outstanding contribution to the chemical industry of such character and scope as to enhance the international aims and objectives of the Société de Chimie Industrielle."