{
  "id": 14942743,
  "title": "Chemie: „Problematische Finanzierungsthemen“: Gewerkschaftschef verärgert Evonik",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/chemie-problematische-finanzierungsthemen-gewerkschaftschef-verargert",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-16T11:31:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/industrie/chemie-ig-bce-chef-veraergert-evonik-mit-aussage-ueber-finanzprobleme/100262801.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Evonik's IG-BCE chief Michael Vassiliadis has caused turmoil within the Essen-based chemicals conglomerate with his comments on the company's financial state. In an interview with the Rheinische Post, Vassiliadis stated that Evonik was \"equipped with problematic financing issues.\" The Essen corporation expressed \"great surprise and anger\" upon learning of this statement, according to corporate circles. Analysts had contacted Evonik on Friday morning to inquire about potential financing problems following Vassiliadis' assertion. Evonik vehemently denied the claims, citing their recent improvement in credit ratings instead. Vassiliadis' statement could also be legally problematic, as it must be analyzed whether such capital market-relevant statements are legally admissible without insider knowledge, according to corporate circles. Vassiliadis is close to Evonik, sitting on the board there but not on the supervisory board. Credit rating agencies view Evonik as solid, but Vassiliadis made his statement in the context of a potential takeover by BASF, which had made an initial offer of ten billion euros that Evonik's management had rejected. No talks are currently taking place between the two companies. Vassiliadis described Evonik as innovative, but said there was still a \"big step forward\" to be made. More ideas could be implemented if the company had more money, argued Vassiliadis. This was problematic as BASF had not provided the necessary funding. The statement is particularly significant as the latest assessment from major credit rating agencies had taken a different direction. Moody's upgraded Evonik's long-term issuer rating from Baa2 to Baa1 in late August, granting it a stable outlook. This was based on improved debt metrics, higher cash flow, and a conservative financial policy. S&P also rated Evonik at BBB+, indicating a stable outlook in the investment-grade range, which signifies low to moderate default risk. Evonik itself had emphasized the strengthening of its financial position in the second quarter, with adjusted EBITDA reaching 630 million euros. Financial Vice President Michael Rauch also stated that the company wanted to further improve its debt metrics to create additional financial flexibility. Evonik had already raised its 2026 profit forecast. Vassiliadis sits on the board of the RAG Foundation. As the largest shareholder, she holds 44 percent of Evonik's shares and plays a key role in the takeover poker. At the same time, Vassiliadis sits on BASF's supervisory board, where he has declared himself a conflicted interest, according to insider reports. Vassiliadis is understood in the Essen corporation to have supported BASF's offer, according to corporate circles. Evonik's works councils were also surprised by the comments. The remark on Evonik's financing has additional weight: Vassiliadis is not only at the head of IG BCE but also on the board of the RAG Foundation, which owns 44 percent of Evonik. As the largest shareholder, she plays a key role in the takeover poker. BASF's current reluctance stems from the possibility that the RAG Foundation and the North Rhine-Westphalian state government would clearly stand behind the independence of the company. The state government initially remained restrained, primarily referring to jobs, locations, and central functions in North Rhine-Westphalia. Only in a state parliament debate on Wednesday did NRW Minister of Economy Mona Neubauer (Green) make it clear that the government rejects a takeover by BASF under the current conditions.",
  "summary": "Michael Vassiliadis spricht öffentlich von Finanzproblemen bei Evonik. Im Konzern sorgt das für erhebliche Unruhe – es könnte zu rechtlichen Folgen führen.",
  "key_points": [
    "Evonik chief Michael Vassiliadis claims company faces \"problematic financing issues\"",
    "Essen-based chemicals conglomerate surprised and angered by Vassiliadis' statement",
    "Vassiliadis, also on RAG Foundation board, holds 44% stake in Evonik"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}