Evonik launches Next Markets Program to drive growth in recycling, packaging, and aerospace innovation

Evonik launches Next Markets Program to drive growth in recycling, packaging, and aerospace innovation

(IN BRIEF) Evonik has launched the Next Markets Program, a cross-company initiative designed to capture growth opportunities in adjacent sectors, beginning with circular packaging, plastics recycling, and defense and aerospace. Led by Patrick Gloeckner, the program builds on Evonik’s broad expertise and combines technologies across its business lines to deliver rapid, holistic solutions. Early projects include technologies to improve pyrolysis of mixed plastics, a BMWK-backed consortium with BMW to recycle painted automotive components, and applications of advanced materials in aerospace and defense. Board member Lauren Kjeldsen described the initiative as a “speedboat” for navigating new market opportunities, reinforcing Evonik’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. The program will be showcased at K 2025 in Düsseldorf.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESSEN, 2-Sep-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Evonik has introduced its Next Markets Program, a company-wide initiative designed to accelerate growth by moving into emerging markets closely tied to its existing core businesses. By harnessing expertise across its global operations, Evonik aims to respond rapidly to shifting customer needs and develop holistic solutions that cut across value chains.

The program’s first focus areas include circular packaging, plastics recycling, and defense and aerospace, all of which are undergoing rapid transformation and demand innovative, sustainable technologies.

Lauren Kjeldsen, Member of the Executive Board and Head of the Custom Solutions segment, emphasized the program’s strategic role: “We are experiencing massive geopolitical and societal changes, which bring new customer needs and market shifts. The Next Markets Program is Evonik’s speedboat — agile, interdisciplinary, and designed to seize opportunities across complex value chains.”

The initiative is led by Patrick Gloeckner, who previously headed Evonik’s Global Circular Economy Program. Building on that foundation, the new effort is intended to package innovations from across the company into scalable solutions. “The Next Markets Program leverages Evonik’s breadth of technologies and customer relationships. By connecting experts across business lines, we can deliver solutions faster and open up entirely new growth paths,” said Gloeckner.

Pilot projects already illustrate the program’s potential. In circular economy applications, Evonik is tackling one of the toughest recycling challenges: turning mixed plastic waste into valuable chemicals via pyrolysis. Innovations from Evonik’s portfolio address common industry barriers, such as impurities and poor storage stability of pyrolysis oils, enabling more efficient and reliable recovery.

Another project, developed with BMW and industry partners under a BMWK-funded consortium, focuses on recycling painted automotive plastics. Evonik has created a technology that quickly removes paint layers, producing recyclates of such quality that they can be reused in manufacturing new car components. The Next Markets Program team is now working to scale this breakthrough and explore further uses.

In defense, aerospace, and aviation, the initiative brings together Evonik’s wide-ranging materials expertise. Applications include lightweight, high-performance plastics, foams, and additives that enhance durability, improve heat resistance, and optimize rocket propellants.

Evonik will present the Next Markets Program and its pilot projects at K 2025, the world’s leading plastics and rubber industry trade fair, taking place from October 8–15, 2025 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Evonik: Leading beyond chemistry

Evonik goes beyond the boundaries of chemistry with its combination of innovative strength and leading technological expertise. The global chemical company, headquartered in Essen, Germany, is active in more than 100 countries and generated sales of €15.2 billion and earnings (adjusted EBITDA) of €2.1 billion in 2024. The common motivation of the approximately 32,000 employees: to provide customers with a decisive competitive advantage with tailor-made products and solutions as a superforce for industry, thereby improving people’s lives. In all markets. Every day.

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.

Media Contacts:

Nadine Albach
External Communications: Social Responsibility
Tel +49 201 177-3915
nadine.albach@evonik.com

Leticia Jimenez-Buil
Head of Market Communications Comfort & Insulation
Tel +49 201 173 3656
leticia.jimenez-buil@evonik.com

SOURCE: Evonik