Mittelstandspresse
18.06.2026
Manabu Chikumoto, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, to Be Awarded the 2026 International Palladium Medal
Honoring visionary leadership and transformative contribution: Manabu Chikumoto recognized for advancing global chemical innovation, sustainability, and industry excellence.
New York, USA, 18.06.2026 (PresseBox) - The Société de Chimie Industrielle will award the 2026 biennial International Palladium Medal to Manabu Chikumoto, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, for his distinguished contributions to the chemical industry, leadership, and personal record of enhancing the international aims and objectives of the Société de Chimie Industrielle. He will receive the award at a black-tie dinner in his honor on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, in the Lincoln Hall Ballroom of the Union League Club in New York.
The Palladium award was established in 1958, and the first medal was presented to Ernest-John Solvay of Belgium in 1961. Since then, 32 awards have been made to prominent Chief Executive Officers in the industry.
The previous awardees in alphabetical order are as follows:
Pierre Brondeau, FMC Corporation, 2019
Stephanie Burns, Dow Corning, 2011
Werner C. Brown, Hercules, 1975
Vincent A. Calarco, Crompton, 2003
Harry Corless, ICI, 1987
Mark Costa, Eastman, Chemical 2022
Earnest W. Deavenport, Jr Eastman Chemical, 1999
Jim Fitterling, Dow, 2024
Jean-Rene Fourtou, Rhône-Poulenc, 1993
Seifi Ghasemi, Air Products, 2017
Thomas G. Gibian, Henkel, 1983
Thomas L. Gossage, Hercules, 1997
J. Peter Grace, W.R. Grace, 1977
Charles O. Holliday, Jr. DuPont, 2009
Edward R. Kane, DuPont, 1979
William W. Keeler, Phillips Petroleum ,1972
Robert D. Kennedy, Union Carbide, 1991
Ellen Kullman, DuPont, 2015
Gerald D. Laubach, Pfizer, 1985
Jeffery M. Lipton, Nova Chemicals, 2007
Andrew N. Liveris, Dow Chemical, 2013
Paul F. Oreffice, Dow Chemical, 1981
Frank Popoff, Dow Chemical, 1994
Monroe J. Rathbone, Standard Oil, 1964
Ernest-John Solvay, Solvay, 1961
William S. Stavropolous, Dow, 2001
Jürgen F. Strube, BASF, 2005
Charles A. Thomas, Monsanto, 1963
Paul Toinet, Bayer, 1965
Konrad M. Weis, Bayer, 1989
Henry S. Wingate, International Nickel, 1967
Karl Winnackker, Hoechst, 1968
Edgar S. Woolard, Jr. DuPont, 1995
Manabu Chikumoto, President and CEO, brings nearly four decades of experience at Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG), encompassing leadership roles in the chemical business, international management, and corporate strategy prior to assuming the role of CEO in April 2024. He is currently Vice Chairperson of the Japan Petrochemical Industry Association and will assume the role of chairperson in July. Under Mr. Chikumoto’s leadership, MCG has undergone significant restructuring to strengthen its position as a global leader in specialty chemicals and sustainability. In recognition of these efforts, MCG was included for the first time in the CDP Climate Change 2025 A List, which honors companies demonstrating leadership in environmental transparency, climate risk management, and ambitious climate action.
Peter Young, President of Société de Chimie Industrielle, commented, “Mr. Chikumoto, through his lifelong career accomplishments and contributions to the industry, exemplifies the reasons why the International Palladium Medal Award was established 69 years ago.”
About Société de Chimie Industrielle
Société de Chimie Industrielle (“Société”), founded in 1918 in New York, is a dynamic and visionary industry organization committed to inspiring interest and knowledge sharing in the Chemical and Life Science Industries through networking, advanced learning, and the recognition of distinguished leaders and mentorship.
Specifically, Société is involved in non-profit activities such scholarships and grants for students studying chemistry and chemical engineering, luncheon speaker programs featuring industry leaders and industry experts, a mentor program for students where our members are the mentors, and webinars covering important topics. In addition, The International Palladium Medal is awarded biennially by Société to honor an individual who has distinguished themselves by reason of outstanding contribution to the chemical industry and the annual Excellence Award Luncheon honors companies for their excellence in innovation, shareholder value creation, and private equity investing.
For more information about Société please see www.societe.org.
About Mitsubishi Chemical
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation (TSE: 4188) is a specialty materials group with an unwavering commitment to lead with innovative solutions to achieve KAITEKI, the well-being of people and the planet. We bring deep expertise and material science leadership in core market segments such as mobility, digital, medical and food. Together with around 57,000 employees, we enable industry transformation, technology breakthroughs, and longer, more fruitful lives for us all.
Ansprechpartner
Robin Goodman
Zuständigkeitsbereich: Communication Manager
Über Mitsubishi Chemical Europe GmbH:
ABOUT MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL EUROPE GMBH: Mitsubishi Chemical Europe GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Mitsubishi Chemical Group. The company, with headquarters in Düsseldorf, offers and sells highly developed chemical-based products. The portfolio includes performance polymers, carbon fiber & composites, polyester films, aluminum and metal composite sheets as well as semiconductor solutions for a wide range of industries. In an additional role as regional headquarters for Europe, it promotes the exchange between group companies in Europe and management in Japan. The stem of all activities is to contribute to the KAITEKI corporate philosophy, which strives for sustainability for people, society and the earth. www.mitsubishi-chemical.eu -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL GROUP: Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation (TSE: 4188) is a specialty materials group with an unwavering commitment to lead with innovative solutions to achieve KAITEKI, the well-being of people and the planet. We bring deep expertise and material science leadership in core market segments such as mobility, digital, medical and food. Together with around 60,000 employees, we enable industry transformation, technology breakthroughs, and longer, more fruitful lives for us all. For further information, please visit our website: https://www.mcgc.com/english/
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