TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Versum Materials, Inc. (NYSE: VSM), a leading materials supplier to the semiconductor industry, announced today that The Société de Chimie Industrielle will award the 2017 biennial International Palladium Medal to Versum Materials Chairman Seifi Ghasemi 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 Thursday, June 1, 2017 in the Grand Ballroom of the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.
The award was established in 1958 and the first Palladium Medal was presented to Ernest-John Solvay of Belgium. Twenty-eight subsequent awards have been made to American, French, British, and German recipients.
Ghasemi has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of Versum Materials, Inc. since its October 1, 2016 spin – off from Air Products. Ghasemi also became chairman, president and chief executive officer of Air Products in July 2014. Since that time, he has led the transformation of Air Products into the world’s most profitable industrial gases company by reorganizing and decentralizing the gases business; exiting non-core business; driving culture change based on safety, speed, simplicity and self-confidence; controlling capital and improving operational efficiency; and aligning rewards to performance.
Prior to joining Air Products, from 2001-2014, Ghasemi served as chairman and chief executive officer of Rockwood Holdings, a global leader in inorganic specialty chemicals and advanced materials that was acquired by Albemarle Corporation in January 2015. From 1997-2001, he held leadership roles at GKN. Earlier in his career, Ghasemi spent nearly 20 years with The BOC Group (the industrial gas company which is now part of Linde AG) in positions including director of the Main Board of BOC Group, plc and president of BOC Gases Americas.
Peter Young, President of Société de Chimie Industrielle, commented, “Seifi Ghasemi, through his lifelong career accomplishments and contributions to the industry, exemplifies the reasons why the International Palladium Medal Award was established 59 years ago.”
About Société de Chimie
The Société de Chimie, 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.
For more information about Société please see www.societe.org.
About Versum Materials
Versum Materials, Inc. (NYSE: VSM) is a best-in-class electronic materials company providing high-purity chemicals and gases, delivery systems, services and materials expertise to meet the evolving needs of the global semiconductor, display and LED industries. Derived from the Latin word for “toward,” the name “Versum” (pronounced ver-SOOM) communicates the company’s deep commitment to helping customers move toward the future by collaborating, innovating and creating cutting-edge solutions.
A global leader in technology, quality, safety and reliability, Versum is one of the world’s largest suppliers of next generation CMP slurries, ultra-thin dielectric and metal film precursors, formulated cleans and etching products, and delivery equipment that has revolutionized the semiconductor industry. Versum, which began trading October 3, 2016 on the NYSE as an independent company, has annual sales of about US$1 billion, 1,900 employees and 10 major facilities in Asia and the North America. It is headquartered in Tempe, Ariz. Versum had operated for more than three decades as a division of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: APD).
For additional information, please visit www.versummaterials.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170109006235/en/
