Société de Chimie Industrielle–American Section Honors Council Chairman

NEW YORK—On May 5, the Société de Chimie Industrielle–American Section honored Charles O. Holliday, Jr., chairman and CEO of DuPont and chairman of the Council on Competitiveness, with the prestigious 2009 International Palladium Medal.

The award was presented in recognition of Holliday’s many distinguished contributions to the chemical industry and, thereby to the enhancement of the international aims and objectives of the Société de Chimie Industrielle. Holliday has not only made enormous contributions to the success of his company, but also has served the chemical industry as a leader in a number of associations and forums. The award was presented at a dinner in his honor on in the Grand Ballroom of the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.

The International Palladium Medal was established in 1958, and the first medal was presented to Ernest-John Solvay of Belgium. Twenty-four subsequent awards have been made to American, French, British, and German recipients. The recipients were: Werner C. Brown (Hercules), Vincent A. Calarco (Chemtura), Harry Corless (ICI), Earnest W. Deavenport, Jr. (Eastman Chemical Company), Jean-Rene Fourtou (Rhône-Poulenc), Thomas G. Gibian (Henkel), Thomas L. Gossage (Hercules), J. Peter Grace (W.R. Grace), Edward R. Kane (DuPont), William W. Keeler (Phillips Petroleum), Robert D. Kennedy (Union Carbide), Gerald D. Laubach (Pfizer), Jeffrey M. Lipton (Nova Chemicals), Paul F. Oreffice (Dow Chemical), Frank Popoff (Dow Chemical), Monroe J. Rathbone (Standard Oil), William S. Stavropolous (Dow), Ju?rgen F. Strube (BASF), Charles A. Thomas (Monsanto), Paul Toinet (Bayer), Konrad M. Weis (Bayer), Henry S. Wingate (International Nickel), Karl Winnackker (Hoechst), and Edgar S. Woolard, Jr. (DuPont).

Prior to becoming DuPont’s CEO on February 1, 1998, and chairman on January 1, 1999, Holliday rose through manufacturing positions; led DuPont’s global Nomex® and Kevlar® businesses; and, from 1990 until 1997, served in a series of leadership positions in Asia culminating with his appointment as chairman of Asia Pacific. He was elected president of DuPont in 1997. Holliday started at DuPont in the summer of 1970 at the company’s Old Hickory site after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from the University of Tennessee. He is a licensed professional engineer.

“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 also an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering, and he is past chairman of: the Business Roundtable’s Task Force for Environment, Technology and Economy; the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD); The Business Council; and the Society of Chemical Industry–American Section. Holliday serves on the board of directors of Deere & Co. and is chair of the board of directors of Catalyst. In addition, he is a founding member of the International Business Council. He co-authored Walking the Talk book, which details the business case for sustainable development and corporate responsibility

DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

For further information about the International Palladium Medal Award:
John Roberts
Société de Chimie Industrielle–American Section
917 757 4839

Justin M. Carisio
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
302 774 5143