Pradip Khaladkar, DuPont, Named MTI Fellow

Pradip Khaladkar, PE at the DuPont Company, received MTI's Fellow award and designation at MTI's AmeriTAC 114 meeting in Denver, Colorado on June 18, 2014. During the Technical Advisory Council session, MTI Chair Paul Whitcraft and Executive Director John Aller presented Khaladkar with the organization's top honor for distinguished service.

“My hearty congratulations to Pradip for this well-deserved recognition,” shared Whitcraft. “He has demonstrated his leadership ability time and again. His expertise in non-metallic materials was greatly needed and appreciated. We thank DuPont for allowing Pradip to share his time and energy. It is individuals such as Pradip and organizations like DuPont that have made MTI the preferred source of materials technology expertise in the Chemical Process Industry.”

Over its 38-year history, MTI's Board of Directors has occasionally recognized exceptional individual contributors, such as Khaladkar, who have been instrumental in the technical association's development and progression. On that basis, the BOD created the Fellow Award for member, staff, and outside employees/contractors who have advanced MTI's mission in a significant way.

Khaladkar is MTI's 13th Fellow. His nomination citation read: “As a long-time MTI member, Pradip has been a pioneer, innovator and driver in the development of numerous polymer projects. He is well known and recognized as a valuable resource for member companies when non-metallic questions are posed. He has served diligently over-the-years as the DuPont designated representative, resource advisory group leader, the champion of many projects, relentless project team member and on the MTI Board of Directors.

“Some of his most recent project involvement includes work on the ‘Permeation Through Polymers for Process Industries’ handbook, the ‘Accelerated Testing of FRP’ handbook, and a unique, first time study ‘Understanding the Morphological Changes of Plastic Welds on Polymers that have been Exposed to Chemical Service’. A thoughtful and considerate gentleman, a professional individual, a respected colleague and a friend to many at MTI.”

Khaladkar has displayed all of those characteristics since winning the award, sharing credit with his friends, colleagues, and company. “I wish to thank the entire Board for the prestigious honor bestowed on me,” he said recently. “My contribution would not have been possible without the active assistance and encouragement of others. I do owe a debt of gratitude to many in MTI, my colleagues and management in DuPont.” Watch for a feature story on MTI’s newest Fellow in the Fall edition of MTI Communications.