Amitabh Gupta – Linde

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding Dr. Amitabh Gupta

Edward F. Rakiewicz’s receipt of the IRI Innovation Leadership Award from PPG is met with admiration for his significant contributions, accomplishments, and exemplary leadership qualities. His development and implementation of the technical strategy for PPG ZIRCOBOND® pretreatment, utilized in millions of cars, exemplifies his innovative prowess and strategic vision. With a substantial patent portfolio and successful ventures in aerospace and sustainable product expansion, Rakiewicz has left an indelible mark on PPG’s innovation landscape.

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Kenneth Hernandez – Dupont

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding Kenneth Hernandez

Dr. Kenneth Hernandez of DuPont receives the IRI Promising Young Innovation Professional Award in recognition of his early and impressive impact on innovation. Since joining DuPont in 2019, Hernandez has led groundbreaking work in sustainable materials, notably advancing non-PFAS solutions for semiconductor manufacturing. His leadership in computational chemistry, machine learning, and Lean Innovation has accelerated product development and reshaped R&D strategy. Beyond the lab, his dedication to mentoring underrepresented talent and transforming DuPont’s GOLD recruiting program highlights his commitment to inclusive innovation and lasting cultural change.

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PPG: SIGMAGLIDE® 2390 Coating

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding PPG

PPG’s SIGMAGLIDE® 2390 Coating receives the IRI Excellence Award for Innovation in Sustainability for its groundbreaking contribution to sustainable marine technology. This biocide-free, ultra-smooth coating significantly reduces drag, fuel consumption, and vessel emissions, resulting in a 35% reduction in CO₂ output. Leveraging PPG’s HydroReset Technology™, SIGMAGLIDE® 2390 sets a new standard in eco-friendly antifouling solutions. With low VOCs, reduced overspray, and a 10+ year lifespan, the innovation demonstrates how high performance and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand, raising the bar across the maritime industry.

PPG Website

James Hardie Building Products

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding James Hardie Building Products

James Hardie Building Products receives the IRI Excellence Award for Outstanding Innovative Culture for successfully transforming its global R&D organization into a dynamic, inclusive, and high-impact innovation engine. Through strategic alignment, grassroots engagement, and programs like Innovation Day, THINK Awards, and HardieSpace, James Hardie has fostered a culture of continuous learning, empowered experimentation, and collaborative problem-solving. The results speak for themselves—rising employee engagement, award-winning product launches, and a revitalized innovation pipeline that exemplifies how cultural transformation drives long-term business success.

James Hardie Building Products Website

Eastman: Fluid Genius 3.0

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding Eastman: Fluid Genius 3.0

Eastman’s Fluid Genius 3.0 earns the IRI Excellence Award for Digital Innovation, recognizing its transformation of heat transfer fluid management through AI-powered insights and predictive analytics. Leveraging decades of data, Fluid Genius helps customers proactively prevent unplanned shutdowns, improve safety, and reduce maintenance costs. With its generative AI features, multilingual interface, and CRM integration, the platform delivers measurable value across industries, boosting efficiency, enhancing customer service, and accelerating revenue growth. This scalable, patent-pending innovation sets a high bar for digital transformation in industrial manufacturing.

Eastman Website

Niron Magnetics

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding Niron Magnetics

Niron Magnetics receives the IRI Excellence Award in Scientific Advancement for pioneering the world’s first high-performance permanent magnets made without rare earth elements. By developing scalable, iron nitride-based magnets from Earth-abundant materials, Niron has achieved a breakthrough not seen in over 40 years, delivering strong, thermally stable, and fully recyclable magnets. This innovation not only addresses global supply chain vulnerabilities and environmental concerns but also positions the U.S. as a leader in next-generation magnet technology across sectors like clean energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing.

Niron Magnetics Website

“Rhetorical or Genuine Slack Time? Temporal Attributes, Barriers, and Outcomes of Slack Time”
By Heidi M. J. Bertels, City University of New York – College of Staten Island

Read the Award-Winning Paper Here

Edward F. Rakiewicz – PPG

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding Edward F. Rakiewicz 

Edward F. Rakiewicz’s receipt of the IRI Innovation Leadership Award from PPG is met with admiration for his significant contributions, accomplishments, and exemplary leadership qualities. His development and implementation of the technical strategy for PPG ZIRCOBOND® pretreatment, utilized in millions of cars, exemplifies his innovative prowess and strategic vision. With a substantial patent portfolio and successful ventures in aerospace and sustainable product expansion, Rakiewicz has left an indelible mark on PPG’s innovation landscape.

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Omkaram Nalamasu – Applied Materials

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding Omkaram Nalamasu 

Omkaram Nalamasu’s recognition with the IRI Innovation Leadership Award from Applied Materials is acknowledged with respect for his extensive contributions and leadership role as President of Applied Ventures, the company’s investment arm. His team’s development of a crucial technology addressing cost barriers in the OLED TV market highlights his innovative prowess and strategic vision. Nalamasu’s long and impactful career, particularly as Chief Technology Officer at Applied Materials, underscores his significant impact on the industry and brings much experience to the innovation field.

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Rebecca Seigelman – Dupont

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding Rebecca Siegelman

Rebecca Siegelman’s receipt of the IRI Promising Young Innovation Professional Award from Dupont reflects her remarkable achievements and contributions. She stands out for her outstanding commercial impacts across diverse fields and a solid commitment to community engagement. In roles such as scientist, project manager, and talent recruiter, Siegelman’s accomplishments, including the prestigious R&D 100 Award, underscore her significant influence on innovation. Her prolific publication record and proactive patent applications demonstrate her dedication and expertise. Overall, Siegelman emerges as a standout candidate, embodying the qualities of a promising and influential innovation professional. (Peiwan Zheng accepting on behalf of Rebecca.)

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Global Paper Products, Sonoco

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding Sonoco

The Sonoco, recipient of the IRI Excellence Award for Innovation in Sustainability, is hailed as a highly impactful and targeted sustainability initiative. Its focused approach and tangible outcomes make it a standout winner, with potential for significant positive impacts. Notably, the project’s emphasis on creating jobs by using by products underscores its practicality and potential for socio-economic advancement. This recognition highlights the project’s effectiveness in addressing sustainability challenges while generating meaningful benefits for communities and industries. (Scott Hartley accepting on behalf of Sonoco)

Sonoco Website

Orsted

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding the Orsted

Orsted’s IRI Excellence Award for Outstanding Innovative Culture win is commendable for their pioneering initiative to “Democratize AI.” Their commitment goes beyond passive monitoring, actively engaging their entire organization in applying AI across various domains. While utilizing AI for efficiency improvement may seem commonplace, Orsted’s approach stands out for its inclusive and proactive stance toward integrating AI throughout its operations. Although still in its nascent stage, the potential for innovation and tangible improvements through democratizing AI within Orsted is promising, marking a significant step towards fostering a culture of innovation within the company.

Orsted Website

Dow Inc.

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding the Dow Inc.

Remarkable platform designed for the B2B realm, lauded for its customer-centric approach that elevates the customer journey. Judges recognized the platform for its innovation and potential to enhance customer experiences; this platform represents a significant milestone for Dow Inc. Its positive impact is evident in its ability to streamline development processes and foster greater efficiency.

Dow Inc. Website

Jim Euchner

This award celebrates an individual’s longstanding professional contributions, dedication, and
commitment to excellence in innovation and R&D.

Jim Euchner was recognized for his 15-year tenure as editor-in-chief of Research-Technology Management and his
decades of contributions to IRI. “It means a lot to me to receive this award. As editor-in-chief I learned something
new almost every day, I worked with insightful authors and leading thinkers in technology and innovation
management and AI—like Clayton Christensen, Vijay Govindarajan, Ethan Mollick, and Karim Lakhani—and I
challenged my own thinking in several areas,” says Euchner. “We increased coverage and were generally
ahead of the curve in some important areas: design, sustainability, business model innovation, and AI.” Euchner
offers this advice: “I encourage professionals in innovation to write, become reflective practitioners, try new things
in your context and find out what works and what doesn’t work and why, and share it. Writing solidifies your thinking
in a way nothing else can. You haven’t really internalized something until you have written about it.”

Michael Obal (one of the authors accepting the award)