Sustainability

SDG 9

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

Challenge

Economic growth, social development and adaptation to climate change are largely dependent on infrastructure investments, sustainable industry and technological progress.

Innovations play a crucial role in Evonik's consistent focus on sustainability and profitable growth. At the same time, we support our customers in achieving their own goals in terms of climate protection, circularity or biodiversity.

Examples of our contribution

Research and development (R&D) activities are managed by our Research Development & Innovation (RD&I) function. This includes the R&D teams of the growth divisions, innovation management, Creavis as a business incubator and strategic research unit, and Evonik Venture Capital. It comprises more than 40 locations worldwide with around 2,650 R&D employees. In 2023, R&D expenses amounted to €443 million.

R&D-Teams

The three growth divisions (Nutrition & Care, Smart Materials and Specialty Additives) focus on six innovation growth areas:

  • Sustainable Nutrition: Establishment of new products and services for sustainable nutrition for humans and animal husbandry.
  • Healthcare Solutions: Development of new materials for implants and as components of cell culture media as well as tailor-made, innovative drug formulations.
  • Advanced Food Ingredients: Building a portfolio of health-promoting substances and dietary supplements to contribute to healthy eating.
  • Membranes: Extension of SEPURAN® technology for efficient gas separation for further applications.
  • Cosmetic Solutions: Development of new nature-based products for cosmetic applications as well as sensory-optimized formulations for skin care products.
  • Additive manufacturing: Development and expansion of products and technologies in the field of additive manufacturing.

Creavis

Creavis serves the Group as an innovation pioneer for resource-saving solutions with a view beyond 2025. In this role, she develops transformative innovations beyond the product and market focus of our operations. Creavis bundles its activities into three incubation clusters:

  • The Defossilation Cluster supports industries in becoming less dependent on fossil raw materials. Here, high-growth solutions are developed that help pave the way to a circular and climate-neutral economy.
  • The focus of the Life Sciences Cluster is on novel concepts for the resource-saving and sustainable production of food for a growing world population. The prevention and cure of diseases, especially in view of the increasing age of many people, is another focus.
  • Solutions Beyond Chemistry promotes traceable, secure and circular value chains based on domain knowledge and data-driven solutions. This increases the transparency, effectiveness and sustainability of industrial systems.

Our Goals

  • More than €1 billion in additional revenue 1 in the six innovation growth areas by 2025.

 

  • More than €350 million in additional revenue from solutions for the plastics cycle from 2030.

 

  • Solutions for approximately 400,000 tons of recyclable plastics by 2025.

 

  • At least €1 billion in additional revenue from circular products and technologies by 2030.

 

  • Recording and evaluation of substances/products in relation to the Chemicals Management System (CMS/CMSPLUS) from acquisitions by the end of 2026.