Evonik Industries Announces Global Workforce Reduction and Divestment of Polyester Segment

Evonik Industries 宣布全球裁員及剝離聚酯業務

Jun 18, 2026, 16:56
ChinaFinance

Introduction

Evonik Industries has declared a comprehensive restructuring plan involving the elimination of 3,200 positions and the cessation of its polyester operations by 2029.

Evonik Industries 已宣布一項全面的重組計劃，涉及在 2029 年前刪減 3,200 個職位並停止其聚酯業務運作。

Main Body

The strategic realignment involves a phased reduction of 3,200 global roles between 2027 and 2029, an extension of the 'Tailor Made' efficiency initiative originally established in 2023. Geographically, the impact is concentrated in Germany, where 2,150 positions will be terminated. The organization intends to achieve fiscal optimization through the integration of digital technologies, enhanced operational efficiency, and the utilization of outsourcing and offshoring mechanisms.

此次策略調整涉及在 2027 年至 2029 年間分階段減少 3,200 個全球職位，這是對 2023 年啟動的「量身定制」(Tailor Made) 效率計畫的延伸。在地理分布上，影響集中在德國，將有 2,150 個職位被取消。該組織意圖透過整合數位技術、提高營運效率以及利用外包與離岸機制來實現財務優化。

Concurrent with these personnel reductions, the corporation will terminate its global polyester business in 2027. Despite an annual revenue of approximately €150 million, the segment has been characterized by a persistent lack of profitability. This divestment necessitates the closure of the Witten facility and staff reductions at sites in Marl, Germany, and Shanghai, China.

與人員削減同步，該公司將於 2027 年終止其全球聚酯業務。儘管該部門年營收約 1.5 億歐元，但一直缺乏獲利能力。此次剝離導致 Witten 廠區關閉，以及德國 Marl 和中國上海廠區的人員削減。

Institutional positioning reflects a response to external volatility. CEO Christian Kullmann attributed these measures to geopolitical instability, stagnant economic growth, and intensified international competition. Regarding labor relations, Chief Human Resources Officer Thomas Wessel asserted that the reductions would be executed in a socially acceptable manner. The IGBCE union acknowledged the severity of the workforce contraction but noted the positive exclusion of compulsory redundancies and salary reductions, while emphasizing the necessity of limiting the migration of domestic roles to foreign jurisdictions.

機構定位反映了對外部波動的應對。執行長 Christian Kullmann 將這些措施歸因於地緣政治不穩定、經濟增長停滯以及國際競爭加劇。關於勞資關係，首席人力資源官 Thomas Wessel 主張裁員將以社會可接受的方式執行。IGBCE 工會承認勞動力縮減程度嚴重，但指出排除強制裁員和減薪是積極進展，同時強調必須限制國內職位向海外轉移。

Conclusion

Evonik is currently implementing a multi-year cost-reduction strategy to mitigate economic headwinds and eliminate non-profitable business units.

Evonik 目前正執行一項多年期成本削減策略，以緩解經濟逆風並消除不獲利的業務部門。

Vocabulary Learning

◈ The Art of Corporate Euphemism & Nominalization

To transition from B2 to C2, one must move beyond simply 'understanding' a text to 'deconstructing the ideological layer' of the language. This text is a masterclass in Corporate Sanitization—the use of high-register, abstract nouns to distance the speaker from the harsh reality of the actions described.

⚡ The Linguistic Pivot: From Verb to Concept

C2 mastery requires an understanding of Nominalization (turning verbs into nouns) to create a sense of objectivity and inevitability. Notice the shift in the text:

  • B2 Level: "The company is cutting jobs because the economy is unstable."
  • C2 Level: "Institutional positioning reflects a response to external volatility."

By replacing "cutting jobs" with "Institutional positioning" and "unstable economy" with "external volatility," the author removes the agent (the person doing the action) and the victim (the person affected). The event becomes a natural phenomenon rather than a management decision.

🔍 Lexical Precision: The 'Sterile' Vocabulary

Observe these high-tier pairings used to mask negative outcomes:

  1. "Fiscal optimization" →\rightarrow Code for: Cutting costs/Spending less.
  2. "Socially acceptable manner" →\rightarrow Code for: Avoiding lawsuits or extreme public outcry.
  3. "Workforce contraction" →\rightarrow Code for: Mass layoffs.
  4. "Mitigate economic headwinds" →\rightarrow Code for: Surviving a recession.

🖋️ Scholarly Application

To write at a C2 level, you should not avoid these terms, but employ them strategically to modulate tone. When you wish to sound detached, authoritative, or diplomatic, shift your focus from the action to the mechanism:

Instead of saying "We are moving the office to China to save money," use: "The utilization of offshoring mechanisms is being leveraged to achieve operational efficiency."

Key C2 Takeaway: The hallmark of the highest proficiency level is the ability to navigate the nuance between transparency and strategic ambiguity.

Vocabulary Learning

divestment (n.)
The process of selling off subsidiary business interests or investments to reduce a company's portfolio.
Example:The corporation's divestment of its underperforming textile wing allowed it to focus on high-growth technology sectors.
cessation (n.)
The fact or process of ending or being brought to an end.
Example:The cessation of hostilities was finally achieved after months of diplomatic negotiations.
realignment (n.)
The process of changing the way something is organized, especially to make it more efficient or suitable for a new purpose.
Example:The strategic realignment of the marketing department ensured that resources were allocated to digital channels.
fiscal optimization (n. phrase)
The process of improving financial performance and efficiency to maximize profits or minimize costs.
Example:The CFO implemented a series of fiscal optimization measures to reduce overhead costs by fifteen percent.
concurrent (adj.)
Existing, happening, or done at the same time.
Example:The company launched the new product line concurrent with a global rebranding campaign.
volatility (n.)
Liability to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse.
Example:Investors are cautious due to the extreme volatility of the cryptocurrency market.
redundancies (n.)
Situations in which some employees are no longer needed and are therefore dismissed from their jobs.
Example:The merger of the two firms led to hundreds of compulsory redundancies in the administrative sector.
mitigate (v.)
To make something bad less severe, serious, or painful.
Example:The government introduced new subsidies to mitigate the impact of rising energy prices on small businesses.
headwinds (n. plural)
Situations or conditions that make it difficult for a person or organization to progress or succeed.
Example:Despite facing significant economic headwinds, the startup managed to secure a second round of funding.
Practice C2 words in a crossword→