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.
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 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 57,000 employees, we enable industry transformation, technology breakthroughs, and longer, more fruitful lives for us all.
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