Dr J. Henrique Teles receives the EuChemS Industry Innovation Award 2025

EuChemS is pleased to announce that Dr J. Henrique Teles, Senior R&D Manager at BASF SE, has been awarded the EuChemS Industry Innovation Award 2025 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to industrial chemistry, chemical process development and fundamental scientific research.

Dr Teles has worked at BASF’s central research facilities in Ludwigshafen for more than three decades. Since 2001, he has led the research group focusing on oxidation and phosgene chemistry. Throughout his career, he has contributed to the development and implementation of several major industrial processes, combining scientific innovation with improved efficiency and sustainability.

Among his most significant achievements is his contribution to the development of the hydrogen peroxide-based propylene oxide process, known as the HPPO process. The technology is currently used in three industrial plants with a combined annual production capacity exceeding one million tonnes. He and his team have also developed new processes for the production of cyclododecanone, cyclopentanone, formic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid and chloroacetyl chloride.

Alongside his industrial work, Dr Teles has made influential contributions to fundamental chemistry, including pioneering research in homogeneous gold catalysis and N-heterocyclic carbene chemistry. His scientific and technological output includes almost 250 patents, numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters and contributions to Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry.

EuChemS warmly congratulates Dr J. Henrique Teles on this distinction and on his remarkable contributions to European industrial and scientific innovation.

Photo credit © BASF