NEWS


Evonik realigns R&D for faster innovation


Evonik says it is addressing changing conditions in industries and markets by realigning its activities to sharpen its focus on market-driven development and faster execution. Central to this effort is the newly established Evonik Innovation Factory. “We have deliberately aligned our innovation organisation for speed and impact,” said Christian Eilbracht, Chief Innovation Officer of Evonik. “By clearly allocating responsibilities, we are accelerating deci- sion-making processes and increasing the likelihood of success for innovations.” A central element of this


approach is the transforma- tion of Evonik’s innovation organisation (Research, Development & Innovation). In future, approximately two-thirds of researchers will work directly within the business lines, where solutions are developed in close collaboration with customers and combined with clear economic accountability. Research


Venator UK sale complete


capabilities that benefit multiple businesses, as well as long-term innovation projects, will continue to be managed centrally. These targets are sup-


ported by two key mecha- nisms; the targeted integra- tion of technologies, capabilities, and internal and external partners along the value chain, and researchers systematically building on existing internal and external knowledge, allowing them to begin at a later stage in the process. The five to seven Innova-


tion Factory programs focus on Evonik’s three main growth areas: bio-based


solutions, the energy transition, and the circular economy. Evonik expects to generate additional revenue of approximately €1.5bn by 2032 from these areas, with the Innovation Factory contributing up to €300m. Evonik has also an- nounced that 3,200 jobs will be eliminated across the group, including 2,150 positions in Germany, in the period from 2027 to the end of 2029. This follows on from a reduction of 2,800 positions from October 2023 to the end of 2026. Evonik said options for offshoring are being examined. �www.evonik.com


The administrators to several entities of Venator Materials, which was placed into administration on 22 October 2025, have successfully completed the sale of the Greatham, UK, site and its associated titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment assets to LB Titanium UK, a wholly- owned subsidiary of LB Group, headquartered in Jiaozou, China. The sale follows significant efforts by all parties to progress the transaction, including safely maintaining the Greatham plant in an idle state, obtaining various regulatory approvals, and completion of customary closing conditions. The newly created company will operate as Tioxide. “We are pleased to


welcome the Tioxide teams to our organisation and look forward to building on Greatham’s strong manufacturing foundation,” said Ran Xu, Chair of LB Group. �www.venatorcorp.com


Birla Carbon plans to reshape its business


Carbon black producer Birla Carbon has announced a series of organisa- tional changes to align with market trends and create more value for customers, including a transition to a structure focused on three business units; Asia, Americas & EMEA, and Specialty Materials. “The rapid pace of change today requires a nimble organization,


4 COMPOUNDING WORLD | July 2026


empowered to make quick decisions and act,” said John Loudermilk, President and CEO, Birla Carbon. “These changes will enable Birla Carbon to further strengthen partner- ships, drive innovation, and create value for our customers.” Amit Kumar, currently Chief Manufac-


turing Officer, Asia, will become President (Asia), John Davidson,


currently Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, will become President (Americas & EMEA), and Shashank Awasthi, currently Head of Sales, Asia and Business Head, China, will become President (Specialty Materials). The company says it is focusing on


expansions in Asia as demand in the Americas and Europe has weakened. �www.birlacarbon.com


www.compoundingworld.com


IMAGE: EVONIK


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38