Need to Know

• Claus Rettig will join Evonik’s Executive Board and become deputy chairman effective Sept. 1.
• Rettig will assume CEO Christian Kullmann’s responsibilities until further notice.
• Kullmann is expected to return following his recovery and rehabilitation.

Evonik said Kullmann’s surgery was successful and that the company expects him to resume his duties following recovery and rehabilitation. The appointment is therefore an interim leadership arrangement rather than a permanent CEO succession.

Rettig has worked for Evonik and its predecessor companies for more than 30 years. He joined the Executive Board of Goldschmidt AG in 2003 before the company became part of Evonik. He later led Evonik’s Resource Efficiency segment and has been a member of the extended Executive Board since 2020.

In 2022, Rettig was named chief representative responsible for the Asia-Pacific region. He also temporarily oversaw Evonik’s finance function beginning in summer 2025, before Michael Rauch became chief financial officer in May 2026.

Supervisory Board Chairman Bernd Tönjes said the appointment is intended to provide continuity during a difficult period for the chemical industry. Rettig said Evonik will continue the transformation program already underway at the company.

Evonik supplies specialty additives, silica, crosslinkers and other materials used in coatings, paints, printing inks, adhesives and related markets.

The interim appointment is relevant to coatings manufacturers following major suppliers of paint and coatings additives during a period of restructuring and weak global chemical demand.