Essen, Germany. At today's meeting, the Executive Board discussed Evonik's dividend policy based on the preliminary results for 2025 and the forecast for 2026. As announced in an ad hoc announcement, Evonik intends to distribute between 40 and 60 per cent of adjusted net profit to shareholders annually from the 2026 financial year onwards. This measure is intended to increase financial flexibility. For the 2025 financial year, the intention is to pay out 1.00 euro per share as a transitional measure to the new dividend policy. This corresponds to a current dividend yield of around 7 per cent. Until now, the annual dividend has been 1.17 euro per share.
“We need to strike the right balance between paying our shareholders an appropriate dividend and being able to invest in the best future projects at the right time and further reduce our debt,” says Christian Kullmann, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Our new dividend policy improves that balance.”
Evonik has achieved its profit forecast for 2025. According to preliminary, unaudited calculations, adjusted EBITDA amounted to € 1.874 billion, which is in line with the forecast of approximately € 1.9 billion.
At € 14.1 billion, turnover in 2025 was approximately 7 per cent lower than last year. The cash conversion ratio of 37 per cent was at the upper end of the target range of 30 to 40 per cent, based on a strong free cash flow of € 695 million.
“The high cash flow is remarkable and sets Evonik apart,” says Claus Rettig, who is temporarily responsible for the financial side of the business. “We are more than covering the planned distribution to shareholders and are in an excellent competitive position.”
The position of Chief Financial Officer, which became vacant in September 2025, will be filled before the 2026 Annual General Meeting. Evonik reported a net profit of € 265 million for 2025 (2024: € 222 million).
By 2025, the Evonik Tailor Made efficiency programme will have contributed to reducing hierarchical levels and accelerating decision-making. In 2026, ETM will continue to contribute to the planned cost savings, including through the elimination of 2,000 jobs. SYNEQT, the operator of the German chemical parks in Marl and Wesseling, became an independent entity at the beginning of this year.
The economic climate will remain challenging in 2026. Evonik therefore expects adjusted EBITDA for the current financial year to be between € 1.7 billion and € 2.0 billion. In the medium term, Evonik is fully focused on its target of achieving a return on capital employed (ROCE) of 11 per cent.
Evonik will publish its full results for 2025 on 4 March 2026, as previously planned.
Evonik: Leading beyond chemistry
Evonik goes beyond the boundaries of chemistry thanks to a combination of innovative strength and leading technological expertise. The chemical company, which operates in more than 100 countries and has its headquarters in Essen, achieved sales of 15.2 billion euros and an operating result (adjusted EBITDA) of 2.1 billion euros in 2024. The common motivation of its approximately 32,000 employees: to offer customers a decisive competitive advantage with tailor-made products and solutions
as a superpower for industry – and thus improve people's lives. In all markets. Every day.
Disclaimer
To the extent that we express forecasts or expectations in this press release or make forward-looking statements, these forecasts or expectations may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may differ depending on changes in the market. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies are obliged to update the forecasts, expectations or statements in this release.
