Evonik establishes new Health Care Business Line
Consistent alignment of pharmaceutical business with target markets
Evonik Industries AG will combine its business in custom manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (exclusive synthesis), pharmaceutical amino acids (Rexim®) and pharmaceutical polymers in the new Health Care Business Line effective September 1, 2011. The newly formed business line will be part of the Health & Nutrition Business Unit, headed by Dr. Reiner Beste.
"The merger strengthens our distribution, research, technical service, and production network. This means that our products and services will be equally represented in key pharmaceutical markets in Europe, America, and Asia and that we can respond more comprehensively to customer requirements", Beste explains. Success factors for specialty chemical companies in the pharmaceutical market include global market access, a broad innovation platform, and production in accordance with the cGMP pharmaceutical standard (current Good Manufacturing Practices). "By concentrating our pharmaceutical activities in the Health Care Business Line, we enhance our performance in all three areas," notes Beste. "This creates the framework for further strategic developments and the targeted advancement of partnerships with key customers."
Dr. Hans-Josef Ritzert, who has headed the Exclusive Synthesis & Pharma Amino Acids Business Line since 2009 and was previously head of the Catalysts Business Line, takes up the position Regional President Greater China of Evonik Industries as of September 1, 2011. In his new function, Ritzert will be responsible for the Evonik business in the strategically important Greater China Region. Evonik has about 3500 employees in the Region and a turnover exceeding €1.0 billion in 2010. Ritzert, who holds a doctorate in chemistry, takes over the position from Dr. Dahai Yu, who was appointed to the Executive Board of Evonik Industries in April 2011.
Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux will head the newly formed Health Care Business Line. Herbeaux, who has been heading the Pharma Polymers Business Line of Evonik since the beginning of 2009, joined Evonik Industries (then Degussa) in 2000. A native of France, Herbeaux studied in France and the USA and spent 8 years of his life in Asia, teaching and doing business.
The Health Care Business Line will be divided into three product lines: Pharma Polymers with the brands EUDRAGIT® and RESOMER® under the management of Dr. Thomas Riermeier, Exclusive Synthesis under the management of Dr. Klaus Stingl, and Rexim® under the management of Dr. Thomas Hermann.
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