Evonik has appointed Dr. Claus Rettig to the Executive Board as Deputy Chairman, effective September 1, 2026. Rettig will temporarily assume the responsibilities of CEO Christian Kullmann, who is undergoing rehabilitation following an unexpected surgery.
Rettig, a 66-year-old chemist with over 30 years of experience at Evonik, currently serves as the General Manager for the Asia-Pacific region. He will continue to oversee operations in Asia while managing the group's leadership duties. Bernd Tönjes, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, expressed relief that Kullmann’s surgery was successful and expects him to resume his duties following his recovery.
The appointment aims to ensure continuity for the chemical company as it undergoes a significant corporate transformation. Rettig previously demonstrated leadership capabilities by temporarily heading the finance division in the summer of 2026.