Evonik announces deep restructuring and reduction of thousands of jobs

On Tuesday, the Evonik management board announced the details of the new stage of restructuring. The company intends to reduce 3.2 thousand jobs, including 2.15 thousand in Germany. The reductions are to be implemented mainly through not filling vacancies, early retirement and voluntary departures with severance pay. This is a continuation of the actions announced already in June, under which 2.8 thousand jobs will disappear by the end of 2026.

In total, from 2024, Evonik's restructuring programs will cover approximately 6,000 positions. At the end of 2025, the company employed just over 31,000 people around the world.

Difficult situation in the chemical industry

The reason for such radical actions is the deep crisis facing the entire chemical industry. As Evonik's interim president, Claus Rettig, emphasizes, the management board, supervisory board and employee representatives agree: the situation requires decisive action. German chemical companies have been struggling for months with low demand, weak economic growth, high energy prices and new tariffs imposed by the United States.

New strategy and investments in the future

However, Evonik does not intend to limit itself only to cuts. The company announces that it will focus on the most promising market segments and invest in the development of its operations in America and Asia. Biotechnology and health care projects worth hundreds of millions of euros have already been launched in Canada and Slovakia.

The company also intends to withdraw from activities that have no prospects for the future. In Germany, each of the six main production plants will receive a clear development profile, and the implementation of new solutions will begin in the coming days.