Celanese Corporation’s Lori Ryerkerk Named 2025 Petrochemical Heritage Award Honoree

The Science History Institute is pleased to announce that Lori Ryerkerk, retired chairman, chief executive officer, and president of Celanese Corporation, will receive the 2025 Petrochemical Heritage Award. The prestigious award will be presented on March 24, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas, at the International Petrochemical Conference held by American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM).

“We are delighted to honor Lori Ryerkerk,” said Institute president and CEO David Cole. “Her multi-decade career navigating technically complex operations while considering safety and the environment in the manufacturing business makes her the ideal recipient of the Petrochemical Heritage Award.”

Presented annually by the Institute, the Founders Club, and AFPM, the Petrochemical Heritage Award recognizes an individual’s outstanding contributions to the petrochemical community. This premier award encourages emulation, inspires achievement, and promotes public understanding of modern science, industries, and economies.

About Lori Ryerkerk

Lori J. Ryerkerk is the retired chairman, chief executive officer, and president of Celanese Corporation, a Fortune 500 global chemical and specialty materials company based in Dallas, Texas. Celanese is a leader in the development and production of materials used in most major industrial and consumer applications. Ryerkerk was named CEO and a member of the board of directors in May 2019. She was appointed chairman in April 2020 and retired on December 31, 2024.

Ryerkerk’s expertise in the energy industry spans three-plus decades. She combines deep technical and commercial skills with a passion for the manufacturing business. Her unwavering focus on safety, environmental, and social performance is the foundation on which she has overseen some of the most technically complex operations in the industry.

Ryerkerk is a graduate of Iowa State University, where she completed her chemical engineering degree. She currently serves on the board of directors of Eaton Corporation, a leading provider of power management technologies and services, and previously served on the board of Axalta Coating Systems, a leading provider of liquid and powder coatings. She also actively supports a variety of organizations in her hometown of Beaumont, Texas.