Evonik Industries

Corporate brand

A German specialty chemicals group serving industrial, consumer, health, nutrition, and advanced-materials markets worldwide.

Last updated October 14, 2026

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Overview

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…

History

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.

2022
Kensing acquired selected operations
[1]Evonik Industriesen.wikipedia.org
Kensing acquired Evonik's surfactant and specialty-esters operations.
2014
Chemical businesses reorganized
[1]Evonik Industriesen.wikipedia.org
The supervisory board approved a plan to bundle six chemical segments into three companies from 2015.
2013
Frankfurt listing
[1]Evonik Industriesen.wikipedia.org
Evonik shares started trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on 25 April 2013.
2012
Marl CDT fire
[1]Evonik Industriesen.wikipedia.org
A fire interrupted production of cyclododecatriene, affecting the supply chain for laurolactam and PA12.
2010
Tippecanoe Labs site acquired
[1]Evonik Industriesen.wikipedia.org
Evonik acquired the Tippecanoe Labs plant site in Lafayette, Indiana, from Eli Lilly.
2008
CVC became a strategic investor
[1]Evonik Industriesen.wikipedia.org
CVC Capital Partners acquired a 25.01 percent stake while Evonik prepared for a future listing.
2007
RAG Foundation established
[1]Evonik Industriesen.wikipedia.org
The RAG Foundation was established as part of the restructuring intended to separate mining from the internationally competitive industrial businesses.
2007
Evonik Industries founded
[1]Evonik Industriesen.wikipedia.org
Evonik was created on 12 September 2007, initially bringing together RAG's chemical, energy, and real-estate activities.
2006
RAG acquired Degussa
[1]Evonik Industriesen.wikipedia.org
RAG acquired Degussa AG, providing the core of the future Evonik chemicals business.

Products and positioning

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

Animal nutrition, pharmaceutical, and health ingredients
Health and Nutrition
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, paints, inks, and formulation additives
Coatings and 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.
Silica and inorganic specialty materials
Inorganic 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.
High-performance polymers and intermediates
Performance Polymers
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.
Industrial chemical intermediates
Advanced 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.
Personal-care, household, and specialty formulation ingredients
Consumer Specialties
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.

Controversies

2003
Degussa legacy and the Berlin Holocaust Memorial
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
1940
Degussa-related Nazi-era involvement
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

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

Brand decisions

2022
Divest surfactant and specialty-esters operationsM&A
Background
Evonik continued to manage its portfolio around selected specialty-chemicals activities.
Action taken
Kensing acquired Evonik's surfactant and specialty-esters operations.
Aftermath
The transaction narrowed Evonik's direct operating portfolio in consumer-specialty ingredients.
Source
2014
Bundle chemical segmentsStrategy
Background
Evonik reviewed the structure of its six chemical segments to simplify management and sharpen the focus of the chemicals business.
Action taken
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
2013
Complete the public listingStrategy
Background
The planned IPO had been postponed several times because of unfavorable capital-market conditions.
Action taken
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
2011
Divest the STEAG energy businessM&A
Background
Evonik sought to focus on chemicals rather than retain the diversified energy portfolio inherited from RAG.
Action taken
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
2007
Separate international industrial businesses from miningStrategy
Background
RAG's coal-mining activities operated under a different financial and governmental framework from its internationally competing industrial businesses.
Action taken
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

Recent events

Unconfirmed
Evonik rejects BASF bid[3]Evonik拒绝BASF收购报价news.google.com
Reported: 2026-10-30
Evonik rejected a BASF bid with sweetened terms valued at $12.5 billion.
2026-10-23
BASF raises offer for Evonik[4]巴斯夫提高对赢创的报价news.google.com
Reported: 2026-10-23
BASF raised its offer for Evonik to over €11 billion, according to the headline.
Unconfirmed
BASF approaches Evonik with merger proposal[5]巴斯夫向赢创提出合并提案news.google.com
Reported: 2026-09-25
BASF has approached rival Evonik with a merger proposal, according to a Financial Times report cited by Reuters.
2021-11-12
Evonik and Energiedienst receive the Energy Efficiency Award 2021[6]Evonik与Energiedienst获得2021年能源效率奖businessghana.com
The German Energy Agency presented Evonik and Energiedienst with the Energy Efficiency Award 2021 for their joint waste heat project at Evonik’s Rheinfelden production site.
2021-08
Evonik expands organic dispersions capacity at Darmstadt[7]Evonik 扩大达姆施塔特有机分散体产能chemengonline.com
Reported: 2021-10-21
Evonik expanded production capacity for organic dispersions used in heat-sealing applications. An expanded plant at its Darmstadt site had been supplying additional material since the beginning of August.
2021-03-02
Evonik expands strategic partnership with BioNTech for vaccine lipids[8]赢创扩大与BioNTech的疫苗脂质战略合作news-medical.net
Reported: 2021-03-02
Evonik and BioNTech expanded their strategic partnership to produce specialty lipids for COVID-19 vaccines at Evonik sites in Germany, with commercial quantities planned as early as the second half of 2021.
2020-12-22
Safic-Alcan announces Evonik functional silanes distribution partnership[9]Safic-Alcan宣布分销Evonik功能性硅烷european-coatings.com
Reported: 2020-12-22
Safic-Alcan announced that it would become Evonik’s distribution partner for several functional silanes in the Benelux and Nordic regions as of 1 January 2021.
2020-10-07
Evonik launches Eudratec Fasteric[10]Evonik推出Eudratec Fastericprocess-worldwide.com
Reported: 2020-10-07
Evonik launched Eudratec Fasteric, an oral drug delivery technology designed to provide enteric protection followed by rapid release in the upper small intestine.
2020-08-27
Evonik announces acquisition of Porocel[11]赢创宣布收购 Porocelchemeurope.com
Evonik announced that it was acquiring Porocel Group for US$210 million to accelerate growth in its catalysts business. The transaction was expected to close by the end of 2020, subject to approval by relevant authorities.
2020-03-31
Evonik agrees to acquire innoHealth[12]Evonik达成收购innoHealth的协议premiumbeautynews.com
Reported: 2020-03-31
Evonik concluded a purchase agreement to acquire biotechnology company innovativeHealth Group (innoHealth).

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