Evonik terminates COO's contract

Crain News Service report

ESSEN, Germany (June 30, 2015) — Silica producer Evonik Industries A.G. said that its supervisory board has resolved unanimously to end the term of office of Patrik Wohlhauser as the firm's chief operating officer, effective June 30.

Mr. Wohlhauser will be replaced by Ralph Sven Kaufmann beginning July 1.

The company did not give a reason for the immediate termination of Mr. Wohlhauser's tenure, though Evonik Chairman Werner Müller said the departure was on “highly amicable terms.”

Mr. Müller said Evonik has much to thank Mr. Wohlhauser for and added that he played a key role in shaping the company's chemicals operations over many years.

Mr. Wohlhauser joined Evonik's executive board in April 2011 and took on responsibility for the chemical operations as chief operating officer in January 2014.

New COO Mr. Kaufmann has been a managing partner of Dusseldorf Scopein Management Consultants since 2001.

He trained in banking and studied economics and business administration at the universities of Cologne and New York.

This report appeared in European Rubber Journal, a UK-based sister publication of Tire Business.