Evonik: Job Cuts and Exit from the Polyester Business Announced

Evonik is continuing its transformation with additional structural and efficiency measures through 2029. The Executive Board and employee representatives have agreed on a group-wide program covering all business and administrative areas. By the end of 2029, around 3,200 jobs are to be eliminated worldwide, including approximately 2,150 in Germany.

The workforce reduction is to be achieved through efficiency improvements, digitalization, outsourcing, and the evaluation of offshoring opportunities. As part of the “Evonik Tailor Made” program launched in October 2023, as well as additional measures within the business units, around 2,800 positions will already be eliminated by the end of 2026.

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According to the company, the job cuts will continue to be implemented in a socially responsible manner. The specific details will be coordinated with employee representatives in the coming weeks.

In addition, Evonik will discontinue its global polyester business within the Custom Solutions segment in 2027. The affected sites are Witten and Marl in Germany, as well as a production facility in Shanghai. The business generates annual sales of around €150 million but has been unprofitable for several years.

As part of the closure of the Witten site, 266 jobs will be eliminated. Another 45 positions will be cut in Marl and 35 more in Shanghai. Evonik cited ongoing global competitive pressure, structural disadvantages of European production sites, and weakening market dynamics as reasons for the decision. According to the company, the alternatives that were evaluated did not prove to be economically viable in the long term.

CEO Christian Kullmann pointed to the challenging economic environment, characterized by weak growth and increasing international competitive pressure. The aim of the measures is to strengthen the group’s competitiveness over the long term.

More information: www.evonik.de

Evonik Industries AG, Essen