Prof. Dr. Ben Feringa

The Royal Netherlands Chemical Society is pleased to appoint Nobel Prize winner

Prof. Dr. B. Feringa

as an honorary member of the KNCV for his services to the KNCV, the Dutch chemical industry, the European chemical industry and the chemical sciences. The appointment took place during the Evening of Chemistry at the Leiden Theatre.

KNCV chairman Floris Rutjes presented Feringa with a certificate and a book containing congratulations received by the KNCV after it was announced on 5 October that Feringa had won the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The Groningen professor of organic chemistry received a standing ovation from the 300 chemists in attendance.

Rutjes addressed the Nobel laureate with the following words: "What a surprise that you have won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry! Your enormous passion for chemistry and your commitment to Dutch scientific chemical research could not have received a more fitting reward. It is a special honour for the KNCV to welcome a Nobel Prize winner among its members. This prize will give the chemical sector in the Netherlands an extra boost and hopefully convince many people that organic chemistry is an incredibly beautiful and versatile field."

Since the KNCV was founded in 1903, 89 members have been appointed honorary members for their important contribution to the development and significance of chemistry. Nine of them have also been awarded a Nobel Prize.