The Société de Chimie Industrielle has announced that the 2024 International Palladium Medal will be awarded to Jim Fitterling, the Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Dow, in recognition of his significant contributions to the chemical industry and his leadership in advancing the international aims and objectives of the Société de Chimie Industrielle. Fitterling is set to receive the prestigious award at a dinner held in his honor on May 8, 2024, at the New York Hilton Midtown.

Established in 1958, the International Palladium Medal has been bestowed upon distinguished individuals biennially, with past recipients hailing from countries including Belgium, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

Jeff Kenton, Chairman of the Société de Chimie Industrielle Award Dinner, along with Marc Reisch, President of the Société, praised Fitterling’s remarkable leadership, stating, “Jim has successfully led Dow since its split from DowDuPont, driving innovation and sustainability initiatives that have positioned Dow as a global leader in materials science. His commitment to diversity and inclusion, coupled with his advocacy for non-discriminatory policies, further exemplifies his outstanding leadership qualities, aligning perfectly with the criteria set forth by the Société de Chimie Industrielle for this esteemed award.”

Throughout his career at Dow, which began in 1984, Fitterling has been instrumental in steering the company towards its vision of becoming the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive, and sustainable materials science company globally.

Under Fitterling’s guidance, Dow has intensified its environmental sustainability efforts, aiming for carbon neutrality and the elimination of plastic waste. The company’s ambitious targets include reducing its net annual carbon emissions by 5 million metric tons and commercializing 3 million metric tons of circular and renewable solutions annually by 2030.

Beyond his professional achievements, Fitterling is recognized as a fervent advocate for inclusion and diversity. He spearheads Dow’s initiatives to diversify its talent pool and foster an equitable workplace environment, serving as Executive Sponsor of Dow’s Global African Affinity Network and actively supporting LGBTQ+ non-discrimination and workplace equality.

Fitterling’s leadership extends beyond Dow, as he chairs the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) board and the FOSSI Advisory Board, and serves on several prominent boards and councils, including 3M, Catalyst, the U.S.-China Business Council, and the World Economic Forum’s International Business Council.

A native of Missouri, Fitterling holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri’s College of Engineering.

For more information visit www.societe.org and www.dow.com