DuPont named co-winner of IRI innovation culture award

Key Takeaways

• DuPont and Qnity Electronics are co-winners of the 2026 Innovation Excellence Award for Outstanding Innovative Culture
• The award recognizes companies that empower employees and sustain innovation through leadership behaviors and talent development
• DuPont's Minimal Liquid Discharge (MLD) portfolio is a finalist for the IRI Excellence Award for Innovation in Sustainability
• The MLD portfolio addresses the challenge of making high-salinity wastewater reuse more practical and energy-efficient

Introduction to the IRI Innovation Excellence Awards

The Innovation Research Interchange (IRI) has announced the winners of its annual Innovation Excellence Awards, with DuPont and Qnity Electronics sharing the top honor for Outstanding Innovative Culture. This award recognizes companies that foster a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and psychological safety, and that support employee empowerment and talent development.

DuPont's Innovative Culture Journey

DuPont's submission, "From 'Know it All' to 'Learn it All': DuPont and Qnity's Lean Innovation Culture Journey," was recognized for its efforts to embed innovation across various fields, including science, sustainability, digital capabilities, and manufacturing. This journey is supported by enterprise-scale collaboration and has led to significant advancements in these areas.

Innovation in Sustainability: DuPont's MLD Portfolio

DuPont's Minimal Liquid Discharge (MLD) portfolio, powered by FilmTec Fortilife reverse osmosis elements, has been named a finalist for the IRI Excellence Award for Innovation in Sustainability. The MLD portfolio addresses the complex challenge of making high-salinity wastewater reuse more practical, energy-efficient, and cost-effective. By combining advanced membrane technology with thermal processes, DuPont's MLD approach reduces wastewater volume, enables higher water recovery, and lowers energy consumption.

Comparison of Innovation Excellence Award Winners

About the IRI and Its Awards

The IRI Innovation Excellence Awards are presented annually by the Innovation Research Interchange, a division of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). The program recognizes companies and teams that advance industry, science, and society through impactful research, development, and innovation practices. Founded in 1938, IRI is an inclusive membership organization of nearly 100 global private-sector companies and federally funded laboratories focused on advancing innovation management.

Bottom Line

DuPont's recognition as a co-winner of the IRI Innovation Excellence Award for Outstanding Innovative Culture and as a finalist for the award in Innovation in Sustainability demonstrates the company's commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability. With its Minimal Liquid Discharge (MLD) portfolio and other initiatives, DuPont is making significant strides in addressing complex environmental challenges and promoting a more sustainable future.