Evonik announced a new phase of its restructuring strategy in Essen on September 22, with the German specialty chemicals group planning to cut 3,200 positions worldwide, including approximately 2,150 in Germany. The reductions will be implemented through measures including leaving vacant positions unfilled, early retirement and voluntary departures with severance payments, while the company reshapes its business portfolio and directs more capital toward growth markets in Asia and the Americas.
The reductions form part of Evonik's Tailor Made efficiency program.
Detailed measures are expected to be completed by the end of 2026, before Tailor Made enters a second implementation phase running from 2027 through 2029.
Evonik currently employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide, meaning the planned reductions represent more than 10% of the group's existing workforce.
Germany will account for the majority of the affected positions.
Of the 3,200 jobs targeted globally, around 2,150 are located in Germany. Evonik also plans to assign clearer strategic roles to each of its six major German production sites, with implementation beginning shortly.
Interim Chief Executive Claus Rettig said after the group's annual strategy meeting that management, the Supervisory Board and employee representatives shared the view that the chemical industry is facing a “structural and economic crisis.”
The program extends beyond workforce reductions.
Evonik is establishing a new business line called Designed Polymer Solutions, bringing together growth businesses serving aerospace, automotive and gas-separation markets, including applications involving biogas and hydrogen.
The company is also continuing to exit businesses it no longer considers part of its long-term portfolio.
Evonik confirmed that the planned divestments of its C4 Chemicals business, Oxeno GmbH, and infrastructure business, Syneqt GmbH, are progressing as planned.
Previously announced closures of smaller production sites are also part of the wider restructuring program.
Oxeno operates within the C4 chemicals chain, while Syneqt provides infrastructure and industrial-site services across parts of Evonik's German manufacturing network.
Investment priorities are also being adjusted.
Evonik said it sees particularly strong growth opportunities in Asia and the Americas and is examining additional investment projects in both regions.
The group also intends to use its existing European manufacturing network to serve expanding demand outside Europe.
Growth projects are already underway in Canada and Slovakia in healthcare and biotechnology, involving investments in the hundreds of millions of euros.
Evonik is also assigning individual businesses clearer roles within the portfolio, separating operations positioned as growth drivers from businesses expected primarily to generate cash.
The company reported EUR 14.1 billion in sales and EUR 1.9 billion in adjusted EBITDA in 2025.
The broader strategic program extends toward 2030, while the second phase of Tailor Made will run from 2027 through 2029.
