Fourth and fifth Ernest Solvay Prize winners to receive the world’s highest scientific honour.
Syensqo has congratulated Professors Susumu Kitagawa and Omar Yaghi, who have been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, together with Richard Robson, for their groundbreaking work on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs).
This revolutionary class of materials has vast potential for addressing global challenges such as carbon capture, hydrogen storage, water harvesting, and gas purification.
Susumu Kitagawa and Omar Yaghi have been previously recognised by the Ernest Solvay Prize, organised every two years by Syensqo.
Their Nobel recognition underscores the Prize’s mission to honour major scientific discoveries that have the potential to shape the chemistry of tomorrow and promote human progress.
Prof. Susumu Kitagawa received the Ernest Solvay Prize in 2017, and Prof. Omar Yaghi in 2024.
Dr. Ilham Kadri, CEO of Syensqo, said: “We are thrilled to congratulate Professors Susumu Kitagawa and Omar Yaghi on this well-deserved recognition.
“Their pioneering work in reticular chemistry is transforming materials science and driving solutions for sustainability and the energy transition.
“Their achievement perfectly reflects Syensqo’s purpose: to push the limits of science for the benefit of humanity.”
With this year’s Nobel recognition, Professors Susumu Kitagawa and Omar Yaghi become the fourth and fifth recipients of the Ernest Solvay Prize to then be honoured with a Nobel Prize.
Previous laureates who achieved this distinction include Prof. Ben Feringa, Prof. Carolyn Bertozzi, and Dr. Katalin Karikó.
Dr. Kadri recently hosted Professor Yaghi on her podcast “AND is the Future” in the episode “Chemistry AND Curiosity,” where they discussed how innovation, curiosity, and chemistry intersect to drive a more sustainable future.
Syensqo is hosting the next edition of the Science for the Future Ernest Solvay Prize on March 10, 2026, in Brussels.
