Evonik Industries

Evonik Industries AG is a publicly listed German chemicals company headquartered in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia. It was established on 12 September 2007 during the restructuring of RAG AG, a group whose historical activities combined German coal mining with industrial businesses. The new company brought together RAG's chemicals, energy, and real-estate activities, while mining remained within the RAG structure. Over time, Evonik sold or separated most of the non-chemical operations and developed a focused identity as a global specialty-chemicals company. The group's principal heritage lies in Degussa and related chemical businesses. RAG acquired Degussa AG in 2006, and the company was subsequently renamed Evonik-Degussa GmbH before becoming part of the Evonik structure. This history gives Evonik a broad portfolio spanning chemical intermediates, additives, inorganic materials, polymers, health ingredients, nutrition products, and formulation technologies. Its products are generally sold business-to-business and are incorporated into goods such as coatings, paints, adhesives, plastics, construction materials, personal-care products, pharmaceuticals, animal feed, and automotive components. Evonik's strategy emphasizes specialty chemicals and applications in which technical performance, formulation expertise, process know-how, or regulatory capability can create differentiation. The company has described a large share of its chemical sales as coming from markets where it holds leading positions. Its main chemical activities have been organized into business units including Advanced Intermediates, Consumer Specialties, Coatings & Additives, Inorganic Materials, Health & Nutrition, and Performance Polymers. The precise organizational structure has changed over time as the group has bundled and reorganized businesses. Important products and technologies associated with Evonik include methionine and other nutrition ingredients, pharmaceutical and cosmetic ingredients, specialty esters and surfactants, coating and paint additives, silica and other inorganic materials, high-performance polymers, and intermediates used in industrial synthesis. The company also operates or has operated production and research facilities in Europe, Asia, North America, and other regions. A major investment in Singapore expanded its DL-methionine capacity and represented one of the largest chemical-sector investments in the group's history at the time. Evonik's corporate transformation included the disposal of its former energy operations and the reduction of its real-estate interests. The energy company STEAG was progressively transferred to a consortium of municipal utilities, while the residential business was reorganized as Vivawest and largely separated from Evonik. This divestment program allowed the group to concentrate more clearly on chemicals rather than maintaining a conglomerate structure inherited from RAG. The company became publicly traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on 25 April 2013 after several delays caused by capital-market conditions. The RAG Foundation remains its predominant shareholder, reflecting the foundation's role in the restructuring of the former RAG group and in supporting the long-term consequences of German coal mining. Evonik operates internationally and has maintained a substantial industrial and research presence in Germany while serving customers in more than 100 countries. Beyond its industrial activities, Evonik has used sponsorships and partnerships to increase public visibility. It was a major shirt sponsor of Borussia Dortmund for many seasons, including international competitions during the 2020/21 through 2024/25 seasons, and later continued its relationship as a Champion Partner. The company has also supported chess, charitable activities connected with the 2011 Japanese earthquake, and deep-sea research. Its current identity is that of a focused, international specialty-chemicals group with an emp…

Evonik's history is rooted in the industrial businesses assembled around RAG AG and, further back, in the German chemical company Degussa. RAG combined coal mining with industrial operations, but the structure became difficult to finance because the mining business operated under a special German framework while the international businesses competed in ordinary markets. In 2005, the idea of separating these activities was advanced. The RAG Foundation was established on 10 July 2007, and Evonik Industries was formally created on 12 September of that year. The new group initially contained chemicals, energy, and real estate. Its chemical heritage was strengthened by RAG's 2006 acquisition of Degussa AG, whose businesses included advanced intermediates, inorganic materials, polymers, nutrition, and other specialty products. Degussa's history also included serious involvement during the Nazi period. Its subsidiary Degesch manufactured and distributed Zyklon B, which was used in Nazi extermination camps, while other company operations involved forced labor and the processing of gold taken from concentration-camp prisoners. The historical connection became publicly prominent in the early 2000s when Degussa's materials were identified in the construction of Berlin's Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Construction was temporarily paused, but the memorial trustees decided in November 2003 to complete the project using the materials after reviewing the matter. Evonik's initial ownership and financing path was prolonged. An intended initial public offering was first targeted for 2008, but was postponed as market conditions deteriorated. In June 2008, CVC Capital Partners purchased a 25.01 percent stake. Further IPO plans were delayed in 2011 and again in 2012. The shares finally began trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on 25 April 2013, after institutional investors had been offered an opportunity to acquire part of the company. The RAG Foundation remained the dominant shareholder, while CVC and public investors held the remaining interests. The company experienced a significant operational disruption in March 2012 when a fire at its Marl facility stopped cyclododecatriene production. CDT is used to make laurolactam, which is in turn required for PA12, a high-performance polyamide used in automotive and industrial applications. Because the Marl plant supplied a substantial portion of global CDT demand, the incident caused concern across downstream industries and encouraged consideration of alternative materials, including bio-based polyamides. During the 2010s, Evonik increasingly focused on specialty chemicals. It expanded production capacity, including a major DL-methionine facility in Singapore, and reorganized its chemical activities. In 2014, the supervisory board approved a plan to consolidate six chemical segments into three limited-liability companies from 2015. The portfolio also became narrower. STEAG, the former energy arm, was sold in stages to a consortium of municipal utilities between 2011 and 2014. The real-estate business was reorganized as Vivawest after the merger of Evonik Immobilien and THS, and most of Evonik's Vivawest interest was sold in 2013. Evonik's later development has been shaped by continued portfolio management and concentration on specialty chemicals. In 2022, Kensing acquired its surfactant and specialty-esters operations. The company continues to supply ingredients, intermediates, polymers, additives, and formulation technologies to customers in more than 100 countries. Its public profile has also been supported by long-running sponsorship and social partnerships, notably with Borussia Dortmund, the World Chess Championship, earthquake-recovery philanthropy in Japan, and deep-sea research. The result is a company that has moved from a diversified RAG successor into a more focused international specialty-chemicals group.

1. 2022Kensing acquired selected operations

   Kensing acquired Evonik's surfactant and specialty-esters operations.

   Source
2. 2014Chemical businesses reorganized

   The supervisory board approved a plan to bundle six chemical segments into three companies from 2015.

   Source
3. 2013Frankfurt listing

   Evonik shares started trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on 25 April 2013.

   Source
4. 2012Marl CDT fire

   A fire interrupted production of cyclododecatriene, affecting the supply chain for laurolactam and PA12.

   Source
5. 2010Tippecanoe Labs site acquired

   Evonik acquired the Tippecanoe Labs plant site in Lafayette, Indiana, from Eli Lilly.

   Source
6. 2008CVC became a strategic investor

   CVC Capital Partners acquired a 25.01 percent stake while Evonik prepared for a future listing.

   Source
7. 2007RAG Foundation established

   The RAG Foundation was established as part of the restructuring intended to separate mining from the internationally competitive industrial businesses.

   Source
8. 2007Evonik Industries founded

   Evonik was created on 12 September 2007, initially bringing together RAG's chemical, energy, and real-estate activities.

   Source
9. 2006RAG acquired Degussa

   RAG acquired Degussa AG, providing the core of the future Evonik chemicals business.

   Source

A global specialty-chemicals company focused on application-driven innovation, technical performance, leading market positions, and sustainability.

• Health and NutritionAnimal nutrition, pharmaceutical, and health ingredients

  Evonik supplies amino acids such as DL-methionine for animal feed, together with ingredients and intermediates used in pharmaceutical and health-related applications. These products support feed efficiency, formulation performance, and the manufacture of medicines and other regulated products. The portfolio is sold mainly to industrial customers and depends on production scale, quality systems, and regulatory expertise.

• Coatings and AdditivesCoatings, paints, inks, and formulation additives

  This business provides additives, resins, and related technologies used to modify the appearance, durability, flow, adhesion, and processing behavior of coatings, paints, inks, and adhesives. Evonik's materials are typically incorporated into formulations by manufacturers rather than sold directly to consumers. Applications span construction, transportation, industrial equipment, packaging, and consumer products.

• Inorganic MaterialsSilica and inorganic specialty materials

  Evonik produces inorganic specialty materials, including silica-based products and related technologies. These materials can provide reinforcement, rheology control, surface modification, matting, polishing, or processing benefits. They are used across tires, elastomers, coatings, cosmetics, food and feed, construction, electronics, and other industrial formulations.

• Performance PolymersHigh-performance polymers and intermediates

  The performance-polymers portfolio includes advanced polymers and the intermediates needed to make them. Products serve demanding applications requiring light weight, chemical resistance, mechanical strength, or high temperature performance. One historically important chain involved cyclododecatriene, laurolactam, and PA12, materials used in automotive, industrial, and engineering applications.

• Advanced IntermediatesIndustrial chemical intermediates

  Advanced intermediates are building blocks used by customers to manufacture plastics, coatings, agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other formulated products. Evonik's offering combines production chemistry with application and process expertise, allowing customers to source consistent materials for complex industrial synthesis and high-specification formulations.

• Consumer SpecialtiesPersonal-care, household, and specialty formulation ingredients

  Consumer-specialty ingredients are used in personal care, household products, and other consumer formulations. The portfolio has included surfactants, specialty esters, emulsification technologies, and materials that influence texture, cleansing, stability, and sensory performance. Evonik's former surfactant and specialty-esters operations were acquired by Kensing in 2022.

• 2011Tohoku earthquake charity football match

  Japan · Germany

  During a charity match between Borussia Dortmund and a Japanese all-star team, Evonik donated one million euros to support a children's home in the earthquake-affected Tohoku region.

  Outcome. The donation linked the sponsorship platform with disaster-relief support.

  Source
• 2011Rebikoff-Niggeler Foundation support

  Azores · International scientific community

  Evonik supported the Rebikoff-Niggeler Foundation, a nonprofit organization conducting deep-sea research in the Azores with a submersible.

  Outcome. The partnership supported marine-science research and strengthened the brand's association with exploration and technology.

  Source
• 2008World Chess Championship sponsorship

  International

  Evonik sponsored the World Chess Championship as part of its broader effort to connect the company with science, strategic thinking, and international events.

  Outcome. The sponsorship expanded brand visibility beyond industrial chemicals.

  Source
• 2007Borussia Dortmund principal sponsorship

  Germany · International football markets

  Evonik became a major shirt sponsor of Borussia Dortmund from the 2007/08 season, associating the corporate brand with one of Germany's most visible football clubs.

  Outcome. The relationship continued for many seasons; Evonik later became an international-competition shirt sponsor and subsequently a Champion Partner.

  Source

• 2022Divest surfactant and specialty-esters operationsM&A

  Evonik continued to manage its portfolio around selected specialty-chemicals activities.

  What changed. Kensing acquired Evonik's surfactant and specialty-esters operations.

  Aftermath. The transaction narrowed Evonik's direct operating portfolio in consumer-specialty ingredients.

  Source
• 2014Bundle chemical segmentsStrategy

  Evonik reviewed the structure of its six chemical segments to simplify management and sharpen the focus of the chemicals business.

  What changed. The supervisory board approved a plan to consolidate the six segments into three limited-liability companies from 2015.

  Aftermath. The restructuring reinforced Evonik's specialty-chemicals identity and altered the legal organization of its operating activities.

  Source
• 2013Complete the public listingStrategy

  The planned IPO had been postponed several times because of unfavorable capital-market conditions.

  What changed. Evonik shares began trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on 25 April 2013.

  Aftermath. The listing gave the RAG Foundation a publicly traded asset and created a free-float market for Evonik shares.

  Institutional share placement. Approximately 14 percent of shares offered to institutional investors for about EUR 2 billion (Before the 25 April 2013 listing)

  Source
• 2011Divest the STEAG energy businessM&A

  Evonik sought to focus on chemicals rather than retain the diversified energy portfolio inherited from RAG.

  What changed. The group agreed to sell a controlling interest in STEAG to a consortium of municipal utilities, followed by transfer of the remaining interest.

  Aftermath. The transaction progressively removed energy from Evonik's core business scope.

  Source
• 2007Separate international industrial businesses from miningStrategy

  RAG's coal-mining activities operated under a different financial and governmental framework from its internationally competing industrial businesses.

  What changed. Evonik was established to hold the chemicals, energy, and real-estate activities while mining remained within the RAG structure.

  Aftermath. The separation created a platform for external investment and eventual public listing, while Evonik later disposed of most non-chemical activities.

  Source

• 2003Degussa legacy and the Berlin Holocaust MemorialControversy

  The discovery that materials supplied by Degussa, whose historical subsidiary Degesch manufactured and distributed Zyklon B during the Nazi period, were being used in Berlin's Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe triggered public controversy and a temporary construction pause. The memorial trustees later decided to complete the project after reviewing the company's historical involvement.

  Source
• 1940Degussa-related Nazi-era involvementControversy

  Degussa's historical businesses included Degesch, the principal manufacturer and distributor of Zyklon B used in Nazi extermination and concentration camps. Other predecessor operations involved forced labor and the processing of gold dental fillings removed from concentration-camp prisoners. These facts form part of the historical record of the predecessor businesses later absorbed into Evonik's corporate lineage.

  Source

• 2025Borussia Dortmund sponsorship relationship changed

  After serving as a principal shirt sponsor, Evonik's role moved to Champion Partner following the 2024/25 season.

  Campaign
  Source
• 2025Evonik reports 2025 sales and adjusted EBITDA

  Evonik's official corporate website states that the group generated sales of €14.1 billion and adjusted EBITDA of €1.9 billion in 2025, with approximately 31,000 employees.

  Other
  Source
• 2022Evonik acquired surfactant and specialty-ester operations

  Kensing acquired Evonik's surfactant and specialty-esters operations as part of Evonik's portfolio management.

  M&A
  Source
• 2013Evonik shares began trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange

  After several postponements, Evonik completed its public-market debut on 25 April 2013.

  Other
  Source
• 2013Evonik reduced its Vivawest real-estate holding

  The former Evonik residential-property business was reorganized as Vivawest, after which Evonik sold most of its interest and retained a minority holding.

  M&A
  Source
• 2012Cyclododecatriene plant fire disrupted polyamide supply

  A fire at the Marl site halted cyclododecatriene production for several months. The interruption raised concerns about global laurolactam and PA12 availability, with potential effects on automotive and other finished-product manufacturers.

  Other
  Source
• 2011Evonik sold its energy business in stages

  Evonik transferred control of its STEAG energy business to a consortium of municipal utilities, completing the separation of the former energy segment over subsequent years.

  M&A
  Source
• 2008CVC Capital Partners acquired a minority stake

  CVC Capital Partners acquired a 25.01 percent interest in Evonik as the company searched for strategic capital before its eventual public listing.

  M&A
  Source
• 2007Evonik established during RAG restructuring

  Evonik Industries was created as the corporate vehicle for RAG's chemicals, energy, and real-estate activities while mining remained in the RAG structure.

  Other
  Source

1. Evonik Industries
2. Evonik corporate website
3. Evonik reports 2025 sales and adjusted EBITDA