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Claus Rettig takes interim leadership at Evonik
Evonik has appointed Dr Claus Rettig to Evonik’s Executive Board effective 1 September, 2026, and appointed him Deputy Chairman. He will lead the company while Christian Kullmann recovers from surgery.
Evonik’s Supervisory Board has appointed Dr Claus Rettig to the Executive Board, effective 1 September 2026, and named him Deputy Chairman. The 66-year-old chemist will temporarily take over the responsibilities of Christian Kullmann, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation following an unexpected surgery. Rettig, who has been with Evonik for more than three decades, will also continue to oversee the company’s operations in Asia.
“We are all happy and relieved that Christian Kullmann’s surgery went well, and we wish him a speedy recovery,” said Bernd Tönjes, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. He emphasised that Rettig’s extensive experience and long-standing contributions to Evonik ensure continuity.
Experience and leadership in transformation
Rettig brings significant expertise to the role, particularly from his tenure as head of the Resource Efficiency segment and his current position as General Manager for Asia-Pacific. Earlier in the summer of 2026, he had already stepped in temporarily to lead the finance division, demonstrating his leadership skills during a challenging period.
After studying chemistry, Rettig dedicated his entire career to the chemical industry. In 2003, he was appointed to the board of Goldschmidt AG, which later became part of Evonik. Since 2022, he has served as General Manager, overseeing the entire Asia-Pacific region.
