#Innovation #Hong Kong #Palladium #Global Science Award

Inaugural Palladium Global Science Award Ceremony in Hong Kong

On November 22, 2025, Hong Kong hosted the inaugural Palladium Global Science Award ceremony, recognizing cutting-edge innovations in industrial applications of palladium. Established to boost and promote pioneering research in new palladium-based technologies, this international scientific competition has garnered attention across borders, bringing together scientists, industry representatives, and government officials.

The ceremony highlighted the global reach of the competition, showcasing the vital role it plays in shaping future palladium applications. This year, the awards attracted nearly 100 submissions from over 30 countries, covering diverse fields such as conventional and alternative energy, metallurgy, chemistry, nanotechnology, medicine, electronics, and environmental technologies. An International Expert Council evaluated each submission based on scientific novelty, technological feasibility, and industrial applicability.

Awards were presented in three categories: Best Scientific Advances in New Palladium Applications, Best Scientific Paper on New Palladium Applications, and Best Applied Concept in New Palladium Applications.

In the Best Scientific Advances category, Professor Chao-Jun Li from McGill University, Canada, took first place with a palladium catalyst that converts methane and carbon dioxide into methanol, an essential chemical feedstock. This innovative process not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also optimizes raw material use and minimizes production waste, providing a more sustainable and environmentally friendly method. Second place in this category went to Professor Makoto Fujita from the University of Tokyo and the Institute of Molecular Science, Japan, who developed a novel method for building palladium nanostructures. His work opens doors to materials with unique properties suitable for electronics, medicine, and advanced industrial technologies.

In the Best Scientific Paper category, Professor Natesan Thirupathi from the University of Delhi, India, won first place for his research on organopalladium chemistry, which accelerates pharmaceutical development and promotes greener pharmaceutical production. Professor Michael Joseph Krische from the University of Texas at Austin, United States, secured second place with a method that employs palladium for simultaneous hydrogenation and coupling reactions, expediting the synthesis of crucial medical compounds.

The Best Applied Concept award was granted to Associate Professor Safa Faris Kayed from Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, for PalladClear, a palladium-based wastewater treatment system. This device efficiently purifies water, recycles metals for reuse, and minimizes environmental impact, a critical necessity for creating cleaner and safer urban areas.

Francis Verpoort, President of the International Expert Council for the Palladium Global Science Award, emphasized the importance of evaluating not only original ideas but also their real-world impact: "From the initial proposals, it was clear that palladium is transcending its traditional uses. We've witnessed innovations turning it from a mere raw material into a strategic and functional resource. These advancements not only enhance existing processes but also create new markets that once seemed impossible. By acknowledging work that combines scientific depth with scalable applications, we are setting a standard that can guide global R&D priorities and define how palladium will be utilized to tackle future challenges."

The competition is supported by its main partner, the China Precious Metals Industry Committee (CPMIC), along with the Shanghai Metals Market, Northwest University (South Africa), and the MDX Research Center for Element Strategy (Japan). The next edition of the Palladium Global Science Award will launch in spring 2026, inviting scientists and engineers globally to submit new projects that may transform technology, enhance environmental sustainability, and fortify the role of palladium in future industries.



This ceremony marks a significant step toward advancing technology and sustainability while exploring the vast potential of palladium in various applications and industries.