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14 clusters · 54 sources · 52 days · First seen about 2 months ago · Last updated 6 days ago

Evonik corporate investment and BASF takeover interest

Overview

German chemical company Evonik has undertaken significant operational and strategic developments. In mid-September 2026, the company announced an 80 million euro investment in its Slovenská Ľupča plant in Slovakia to expand biotechnological capacities, expected to be completed in early 2028. Following reports of a potential takeover, Evonik confirmed on September 25, 2026, that BASF has made a non-binding approach to acquire the company through a voluntary public takeover bid. While initial reports suggested no concrete discussions were taking place, by September 28, both companies confirmed that exploratory talks are underway. On September 28, Evonik rejected an initial non-binding offer of approximately €22.15 per share, which would value the company at roughly €14.2 billion including debt. Management stated the bid did not “fully reflect the strategic value of their high-margin specialty chemical business.” The potential acquisition has triggered significant political backlash in North Rhine-Westphalia. Jochen Ott, chairman of the SPD parliamentary group, criticized the move as an “attack on the lifeblood of the Ruhr area” and warned against the “sell-off” of the region’s industrial base. By October 7, 2026, the SPD proposed that the state government consider becoming a shareholder in Evonik, potentially partnering with the RAG-Stiftung to establish a controlling interest of more than 50 percent. By late October 2026, reports indicated BASF increased its bid to €24 per share, valuing the potential deal at approximately €11 billion. In early November 2026, Evonik officially rejected the takeover attempt. Interim CEO Claus Rettig reaffirmed the decision, stating that industry trends favor focus over sheer size and that internal projections suggest the company can deliver value exceeding the current offer. Evonik leadership also criticized the timing of the offer, which followed the announcement that CEO Christian Kullmann would be temporarily unavailable due to illness, describing the timing as “really strange.”

Entities

Evonik · BASF · RAG-Stiftung · Markus Kamieth · Claus Rettig

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 8 SOURCES] BASF has made a non-binding approach to Evonik regarding a potential voluntary public takeover bid for all shares.
[● 8 SOURCES] Evonik confirmed that no concrete discussions are currently taking place.
[● 19 SOURCES] BASF raised its 2026 adjusted EBITDA forecast to EUR 7.4-7.8 billion.
[● 14 SOURCES] Third quarter revenue grew 14.2 percent to EUR 16.36 billion.
[● 11 SOURCES] BASF's third quarter operating profit was EUR 1.64 billion.
[● 10 SOURCES] The Iran conflict has shifted customer demand toward European companies.
[● 6 SOURCES] Evonik rejected a takeover offer from BASF, stating the price was insufficient to initiate formal negotiations.
[● 6 SOURCES] The total value of the BASF offer for Evonik is approximately 10.3 billion euros.
[● 6 SOURCES] BASF increased its bid for Evonik to EUR 24 per share.
[● 6 SOURCES] The potential Evonik acquisition is valued at approximately EUR 11 billion.
[● 5 SOURCES] BASF has been exploring a deal with advisors for several months.
[● 5 SOURCES] BASF proposed a takeover price of approximately 22.15 euros per share.

Timeline

6 days ago

[BUSINESS] 3 sources
Evonik rejects takeover offer from BASF
Evonik interim CEO Claus Rettig has rejected a 24 euro per share takeover offer from BASF, maintaining that the company will pursue independence and focus on strategic growth.
9 days ago

[BUSINESS] 9 sources
Evonik rejects BASF takeover bid and criticizes timing
Evonik has rejected a takeover bid from BASF, criticizing the timing of the offer following the medical leave of its CEO. Evonik remains committed to its independence despite the approach.
12 days ago

[BUSINESS] 7 sources
Evonik rejects takeover bid from BASF
Evonik has rejected a takeover attempt by BASF, opting to remain an independent company despite a reported offer of 24 euros per share.
14 days ago

[BUSINESS] 22 sources
BASF raises profit forecast following strong third quarter
BASF raised its 2026 EBITDA forecast to EUR 7.4-7.8 billion after a strong third quarter driven by higher prices and shifting demand due to the Iran conflict. The company is also pursuing an Evonik acquisition.
14 days ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Evonik considers potential BASF takeover and Ashland acquisition
Evonik is reportedly weighing a potential takeover offer from BASF and a possible multi-billion dollar acquisition of Ashland in the US, while also launching new dental PEEK materials.
16 days ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
BASF reportedly increases takeover bid for Evonik to 24 euros per share
BASF has reportedly raised its takeover bid for Evonik to 24 euros per share, a move that could result in the largest merger in the German chemical sector.
28 days ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
BASF considers higher takeover bid for Evonik pending audit
BASF is reportedly willing to raise its takeover bid for Evonik, contingent on a formal audit of the specialty chemicals firm's books.
30 days ago

[BUSINESS] 4 sources
BASF offers job guarantees to advance Evonik takeover bid
BASF is offering to honor Evonik’s job and site guarantees to facilitate a takeover, though major shareholder RAG-Stiftung remains neutral as Evonik seeks a higher offer.
about 1 month ago

[BUSINESS] 5 sources
BASF takeover bid for Evonik rejected by major shareholder
BASF’s 10.3 billion euro takeover bid for Evonik has been rejected by Evonik management and the RAG-Stiftung, drawing political concern in North Rhine-Westphalia over industrial independence.
about 1 month ago

[BUSINESS] 6 sources
BASF and Evonik face potential merger amid calls for state intervention
BASF is exploring a potential takeover of Evonik to bolster competitiveness, prompting the SPD to propose state ownership in Evonik to protect regional jobs and industrial stability.
about 1 month ago

[BUSINESS] 4 sources
BASF takeover bid for Evonik sparks political backlash in Germany
BASF's potential takeover of Evonik has sparked political backlash in Germany, with officials warning it threatens the industrial stability of the Ruhr region.
about 1 month ago

[BUSINESS] 20 sources
Evonik rejects BASF takeover bid of 10.3 billion euros
BASF's non-binding takeover bid for Evonik, valued at approximately 10.3 billion euros, has been rejected by Evonik management as insufficient to begin formal negotiations.
about 2 months ago

[BUSINESS] 16 sources
BASF explores potential takeover of Evonik
BASF has made a non-binding approach to acquire Evonik through a public takeover bid. While contact has been confirmed, no formal negotiations are currently underway, and the RAG-Stiftung's support remains key.
about 2 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Evonik invests 80 million euros in Slovakian biotechnology plant
German chemical giant Evonik is investing 80 million euros in its Slovenská Ľupča plant in Slovakia to expand biotechnological capacities for pharmaceutical ingredients.

Sources

4investors.de · ad-hoc-news.de · aktiencheck.de · ariva.de · bilanzmedia.ch · boersennews.de · cash.ch · cashcow.nl · correiodamanhacanada.com · derwesten.de · diario4v.com · dk-online.de · drweb.de · european-coatings.com · fakti.bg · farbeundlack.de · faz.net · fehmarn24.de · finanzen.at · finanzen.ch · finanzen.net · finanzen100.de · finanznachrichten.de · globalriskcommunity.com · hellwegeranzeiger.de · hora1rondonia.com.br · ikz-online.de · interempresas.net · it-boltwise.de · jungewelt.de · kapitalmarktexperten.de · kunststoffweb.de · kurierverlag.de · lokalo.de · m.aktiencheck.de · maschinenmarkt.vogel.de · merca2.es · n-tv.de · newsfeed.zeit.de · nius.de · noz.de · process.vogel.de · pulse2.com · saarbruecker-zeitung.de · sbctv.gr · sharedeals.de · startitup.sk · stocknews.com

This summary has been updated 18 times: see revision history