en.Wedoany.com Report on Mar 26th, The global specialty chemicals company Evonik has recently announced a major restructuring of its innovation system, launching a new unit called the "Innovation Factory," aimed at accelerating the translation of cutting-edge research into industrial applications. This Innovation Factory will replace the former Creavis department, focusing on increasing R&D speed, enhancing commercial relevance, and sharpening market focus to drive rapid technology deployment.

Christian Oelbracht, Evonik's Chief Innovation Officer, stated, "We are adjusting our innovation system to significantly shorten the time from development to market launch. The Innovation Factory is our commitment to translating excellent research into tangible industrial progress – for ourselves and for our customers." The unit has set a strict timeframe, requiring each innovation project to be ready for transfer to a business line on average within five years, achieving production and operational readiness, to eliminate delays between discovery and deployment.

Axel Kobus, Head of Evonik's Innovation Factory, added, "The Innovation Factory follows a clear principle: 'Build what is needed for the future.' To achieve this, Evonik will integrate internal expertise more closely with external dynamics, including academia, start-ups, and industry partners, to develop technologically and commercially more resilient solutions that provide immediate industrial value and meet market needs."

The company is increasing its investment in high-impact areas, such as the environmentally friendly biosurfactant rhamnolipids and next-generation biopolymers, technologies designed to replace fossil-based materials. Concurrently, Evonik is advancing anion exchange membrane (AEM) technology, which is expected to play a key role in the expansion of the green hydrogen economy.

The Innovation Factory will strengthen Evonik's global R&D footprint, connecting innovation hubs in key markets, including the life sciences facility in Boston, biotechnology operations in Singapore, and membrane research in Shanghai, to get closer to emerging technologies, talent pools, and strategic partners.