HONG KONG, November 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The inaugural Palladium Global Science Award ceremony was held in Hong Kong, celebrating the most advanced innovations in industrial applications of palladium. Created in 2025, the international scientific competition aims to stimulate and promote groundbreaking research into new palladium-based technologies. Five scientists from Canada, Japan, India, the United States and Saudi Arabia were named winners, sharing a total prize pool of $350,000.
The ceremony brought together eminent scientists, business representatives, government representatives and international partners. Attendees witnessed the official announcement of the winners and recognized the high level of innovation shaping the future of palladium applications. The event highlighted the global reach of the competition and its role in advancing cutting-edge palladium technologies.
In its first year, the competition received nearly 100 entries from more than 30 countries, covering areas such as traditional and alternative energy, metallurgy, chemistry, nanotechnology, medicine, electronics and environmental technologies. The International Council of Experts evaluated each application based on its scientific novelty, technological feasibility and industrial applicability.
The winners were awarded in three nominations:
- Best scientific developments in new palladium applications
- Best scientific article on new applications of palladium
- Best concept applied in new palladium applications
In the Best Scientific Developments category, Emeritus Professor Chao-Jun Li (McGill University, Canada) won first place with a palladium catalyst that converts methane and carbon dioxide into methanol, a key chemical feedstock. This technology reduces greenhouse gas emissions, makes better use of raw materials and minimizes production waste, creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly process. Second place went to Distinguished Professor Makoto Fujita (University of Tokyo and Institute of Molecular Sciences, Japan), who developed a new method for constructing palladium nanostructures. His work opens the door to materials with unique properties for electronics, medicine and advanced industrial technologies.
In the Best Scientific Paper category, Senior Professor Natesan Thirupathi (University of Delhi, India) won first place for his research into the chemistry of organopalladiums that accelerates drug development and makes pharmaceutical production greener. Professor Michael Joseph Krische (University of Texas at Austin, USA) took second place for a method using palladium simultaneously for hydrogenation and coupling reactions, thereby accelerating the synthesis of vital medical compounds.
The Best Applied Concept award went to Associate Professor Safa Faris Kayed (Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia) for PalladClear, a palladium-based wastewater treatment system. The device effectively purifies water, recovers metals for reuse, and reduces environmental impact, which is key to creating cleaner, safer cities.
“We evaluated not only original ideas, but also their impact in the real world, where deep scientific knowledge meets practical implementation. From the first submissions, it was clear that palladium was going beyond its traditional uses. a standard that can guide global R&D priorities and shape how palladium will be used to address the challenges of the coming decades,” said Francis Verpoort, Chairman of the Palladium Global Science Award International Expert Council.
The competition is organized with the support of its general partner, the China Precious Metals Industry Committee (CPMIC), as well as the Shanghai Metals Market, North West University (South Africa) and the MDX Research Center for Element Strategy (Japan).
The next season of the Palladium Global Science Award will launch in spring 2026. Scientists and engineers from around the world are invited to submit new projects that have the potential to transform technology, improve environmental sustainability, and strengthen palladium’s role in the industry of the future.
SOURCE China Precious Metals Industry Committee (CPMIC)
