Professor Graham Hutchings, Regius Professor of Physical Chemistry at Cardiff University and Director of the Cardiff Catalysis Institute, presented with CBE for chemistry and innovation.

In a ceremony today, Prof Hutchings was presented with his CBE by HRH the Prince of Wales.  This award highlights Prof Hutchings place as one of the world’s pre-eminent figures in the field of catalysis, and the substantial contribution his research has made to society which have had a genuine impact on our everyday lives.

Professor Hutchings’ most notable discovery is that gold is a remarkable catalyst for certain reactions, most specifically for the production of vinyl chloride, the main ingredient of the world’s most commonly used plastic, PVC. As a direct result of his research, a gold catalyst is now being manufactured by UK chemicals company Johnson Matthey at a purpose-built facility in China - the first time in over 50 years that a complete overhaul in catalyst formulation has been implemented to produce a commodity chemical.

Testament to the impact of Professor Hutchings’ research, he has been given several high-profile awards and honours throughout his career. In 2009 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society – the highest honour for a UK scientist – and received the Royal Society’s prestigious Davy Medal in 2013.