SCI Perkin Medal
The SCI Perkin Medal is recognized as one of the highest honors given for outstanding work in applied chemistry in the United States.
It commemorates the discovery of the first synthetic dye (Perkin mauve) by Sir William Henry Perkin in 1856. This discovery was a significant step forward in organic chemistry that led to the birth of a major segment of the chemical industry.
The Perkin Medal was first awarded to Sir William at a banquet in New York in 1906. The room was festooned with banners dyed a brilliant Perkin mauve, a piece of which is on display in our museum. Today the award is presented as part of Innovation Day, a daylong collaborative research conference cohosted by the Society of Chemical Industry and the Science History Institute.
2025 Medalist: Bruce DeBruin
Bruce has dedicated his entire career to Eastman Kodak and Eastman Chemical Company. Beginning with projects focused on the kinetics, crystallization, and solid-liquid separation of couplers and dyes for photographic film and paper, Bruce quickly developed a reputation for efficient problem-solving and adapting new technologies to production environments. He was an early adopter of computerized analytical instruments, integrating them into manufacturing processes to improve reaction control.
Bruce moved on to a polyester chemical recycling facility, where he led process improvements that increased capacity by 50%. He then rotated from plant to plant with a mission to reduce environmental emissions and waste, address safety issues, and increase capacity. As he progressed into management, Bruce inspired departments to develop long-term visions and spearheaded the development of an improved, safer polyester recycling reactor (methanolysis), scaling it from lab to full-scale production.
His subsequent innovations included developing recycling technologies for copolyesters, designing and launching a copolyester polymer line in Malaysia using lower-energy raw materials, and modifying continuous polyester processes to achieve zero waste during product transitions. Bruce headed the creation of the IntegRex PET process for consumer bottles, which delivered industry-leading energy efficiency, reduced emissions and waste, and became the cornerstone of Eastman’s sale of its North American PET business to DAK Americas.
In the following years, Bruce has tackled numerous challenges: eliminating defects in LCD screen films, developing a continuous process for polyvinyl butyral used in windshields, identifying the environmental cause of insulating window film corrosion, and redesigning processes for tire additives and adhesive resins to improve quality, safety, and capacity. Currently, he is leading efforts on Eastman’s world-scale methanolysis recycling process, transforming contaminated PET feedstock into high-purity polyester products with lower energy consumption.
Bruce was born in rural southeastern Ohio into a large family of modest means. He discovered a passion for math, chemistry, and process engineering at a young age. He studied chemical engineering at The Ohio State University and supported his education by working in a welding fabrication shop, building equipment he would later use in his career.
Winners of the SCI Perkin Medal
The SCI Perkin Medal has been presented since 1906, when the very first award went to Sir William Henry Perkin. For a full list of winners visit SCI’s website.
About the Society of Chemical Industry
SCI is a unique multidisciplinary forum where science meets business on independent, impartial ground. SCI provides the opportunity for sharing information among sectors as diverse as food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental science, and safety.
Established in 1881 as the Society of Chemical Industry, SCI is today a registered charity with individual members in over 70 countries. Its headquarters are in London.
Ever since its foundation SCI’s principal objective has been to further the application of chemistry and related sciences for the public benefit, through our events and publication.
