Evonik launches Next Markets Program to drive growth in adjacent sectors, focusing on circular packaging, recycling, defense, and aerospace.

Essen, Germany:  Evonik has introduced its Next Markets Program, a strategic initiative aimed at expanding into markets adjacent to its core businesses. The program is designed to leverage the company’s existing expertise and technologies to deliver holistic solutions for emerging customer needs.

By pooling knowledge across its diverse operations, Evonik intends to position itself more effectively in dynamic markets. “We are experiencing massive geopolitical and societal changes. This leads to shifts in the markets and new customer needs,” said Lauren Kjeldsen, Member of the Executive Board and Head of the Custom Solutions segment. “We want to identify these changes even earlier and deliver the right solutions. That’s why we’re launching the Next Markets Program – Evonik’s new speedboat. It navigates through complex value chains and enables us to seize growth opportunities along those”.

The program will be led by Patrick Gloeckner, who previously headed the Global Circular Economy Program, now integrated into this broader initiative. “The Next Markets Program builds on one of Evonik’s core strengths: our presence in a wide range of markets and customer segments,” Gloeckner stated. “By leveraging this network and combining our products and technologies with interdisciplinary collaboration among our experts, we can quickly deliver innovative responses to new customer demands.”

Initial focus areas include circular packaging, plastics recycling, and defense and aerospace, sectors that are witnessing rapid transformation and demand for innovative solutions.

According to TechSci Research, Evonik’s launch of the Next Markets Program is expected to benefit the chemical industry by accelerating innovation and diversification across emerging sectors. By focusing on areas such as circular packaging, plastics recycling, and aerospace, the initiative supports the industry’s transition toward sustainable and high-performance solutions. The program leverages Evonik’s strong technological base and interdisciplinary expertise, enabling faster development of advanced materials and customized offerings that address evolving market needs. This collaborative approach not only strengthens value chain integration but also enhances the industry’s ability to adapt to geopolitical and societal changes. Furthermore, the emphasis on circular economy principles aligns with global regulatory and environmental priorities, driving broader adoption of sustainable practices. Overall, the initiative positions the chemical industry to capture growth opportunities in high-demand segments while reinforcing its role as a critical enabler of innovation across multiple sectors.