Evonik expands Tailor Made efficiency program; 3,200 jobs to go
- Evonik will eliminate 3,200 jobs globally between 2027 and the end of 2029.
- 2,150 of the affected positions will be in Germany.
- The global polyester business will be discontinued in 2027, affecting sites in Witten, Marl and Shanghai.
- Evonik had already planned to cut around 2,800 positions from October 2023 to the end of 2026 under existing programs.
Scope of measures
Evonik will implement further structural and cost-cutting measures as part of its group-wide "Tailor Made" program and operating-business efficiency initiatives. The measures cover all business and administrative units worldwide and aim to increase efficiency through digitalization, outsourcing and potential offshoring.
Job reductions and timetable
A total of 3,200 positions will be eliminated from 2027 until the end of 2029, with 2,150 of those in Germany. Management says the reductions will be carried out in a socially acceptable manner and details will be finalized with social partners in the coming weeks. Separately, around 2,800 positions are being cut between October 2023 and the end of 2026 under ongoing programs.
Polyester business closure
Evonik will discontinue its global polyester business in 2027. The unit generates roughly €150 million in annual revenue but has been unprofitable for years. Site impacts include the closure of the Witten plant (266 employees) in 2027, and job cuts of 45 in Marl and 35 at the Shanghai production plant.
Rationale
Company leadership cited weak economic growth, rising international competition and structural disadvantages in Europe as drivers for the measures, saying alternatives examined were not economically viable in the long term.
Source: Evonik
