Dr. Avelino Corma is a distinguished physical chemist and globally recognized authority in catalysis science who has shaped the field for over four decades. Currently serving as Research Professor at the Instituto de Tecnología Química (ITQ), a joint center of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and Universitat Politècnica de Valencia, he has established Spain as a major hub for catalytic research and innovation. Born in Moncófar, Castellón in 1951, he earned his Chemistry degree from the University of Valencia (1967-1973) and completed his doctorate at the Complutense University of Madrid in 1976 under Professor Antonio Cortés Arroyo. Following two years of postdoctoral research at Queen's University in Canada, he joined the CSIC in 1979, rapidly advancing to Scientific Researcher in 1986 and Research Professor in 1987, positions that reflected his exceptional contributions to chemical science.
Dr. Corma's pioneering work in zeolite catalysis has fundamentally transformed industrial chemical processes worldwide, with his first commercial catalyst HYSOPAR developed with CEPSA and Süd-Chemie AG now implemented in over twenty refineries globally. His research on the molecular design of catalysts has yielded over 100 patents, with approximately a dozen applied industrially in cracking, desulfurization, isomerization, epoxidation, and chemoselective reactions of alcohols. Author of more than 900 articles in prestigious international journals and three influential books, his work on acid-base and redox catalysis mechanisms has provided critical insights into active centers and reaction pathways that guide modern catalyst development. The commercial success of his inventions generated sufficient patent royalties to co-found the Instituto de Tecnología Química in 1990, creating a sustainable research ecosystem focused on energy, sustainability, health, and water applications.
Beyond his technical contributions, Dr. Corma has profoundly influenced the global catalysis community through leadership roles including President of both the European Association of Catalysis Societies (2009-2013) and the International Association of Catalysis Societies (2012), where he championed international collaboration and scientific excellence. His election to prestigious academies including the US National Academy of Engineering (2007), the Royal Society (2012), and the French Academy of Sciences (2016) underscores his international standing as one of Spain's most distinguished scientists. Having received more than fifteen honorary doctorates from universities worldwide and the European Inventor Award in 2023, he continues to advance sustainable catalytic processes for hydrocarbon refining and biomass derivatives while mentoring the next generation of chemical researchers. His ongoing work focuses on developing increasingly selective and environmentally friendly catalytic systems that address pressing global challenges in energy transition and chemical manufacturing sustainability.
