Overview
- BASF made a voluntary public approach to buy Evonik, a move the target company called an "unverbindliche Ansprache" and said it rejected.
- Evonik says no talks are taking place and BASF says the exploratory process remains open while its CEO has signalled continued interest in acquisitions.
- The SPD parliamentary group in North Rhine‑Westphalia filed a motion asking the state to examine taking an equity stake so RAG‑Stiftung and the state together would hold a blocking majority.
- RAG‑Stiftung is currently Evonik’s largest shareholder with about 43 percent and NRW’s minister‑president sits on the foundation’s supervisory body, giving the state a direct channel into shareholder discussions.
- The SPD’s motion demands binding protections for employment, investment and site continuity if a sale or takeover proceeds and the debate could shape how regional industrial policy responds to consolidation in the chemicals sector.