Evonik Appoints Guido Skudlarek as New Head of Health Care Business Line, Marking a Strategic Move in Global Health and Life Sciences Innovation
Evonik Industries AG, a global leader in specialty chemicals, has announced the appointment of Dr. Guido Skudlarek as the new head of its Health Care business line. This leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment for Evonik, as it continues to accelerate its contributions to the pharmaceutical, medical, and nutritional sectors. With his robust background in strategy, operations, and international management, Skudlarek is expected to further strengthen the company’s position as a trusted partner in the global health and life sciences ecosystem.
A Proven Leader with Strategic Vision
Guido Skudlarek brings to his new role over two decades of experience in business transformation, operational excellence, and global leadership. He studied industrial engineering at the University of Kaiserslautern and in London, reflecting an early interest in the intersection of technology, process optimization, and international business. His academic journey culminated in a doctorate from the University of Bayreuth, where he deepened his expertise in engineering and systems thinking — a foundation that would serve him well in his future roles across multiple industries and geographies.
Skudlarek began his professional career in 2001 at the prestigious consultancy McKinsey & Company, based in Cologne. There, he worked closely with leading industrial and chemical companies, advising on matters of operational strategy, digital transformation, and supply chain optimization. His time at McKinsey honed his ability to lead complex initiatives and provided him with a deep understanding of the global industrial landscape.
A Decade of Strategic Impact at Evonik
In 2013, Skudlarek joined Evonik as Head of the Administration Excellence Program Office. This role involved overseeing initiatives to improve administrative efficiency across the company, aligning closely with Evonik’s broader goal of lean and sustainable operations. His performance in this role quickly earned him recognition, paving the way for successive leadership appointments.
Over the next several years, Skudlarek played a critical role in shaping Evonik’s portfolio and operational effectiveness. He served as Vice President of the Special Oxides product line, and later as Vice President of the Specialty Silica business. During his tenure in Specialty Silica, he was instrumental in orchestrating the acquisition of Huber Silica — a strategic move that significantly expanded Evonik’s global footprint in performance materials and reinforced its presence in key markets, including pharmaceuticals, food, and personal care.
In 2020, Skudlarek took on the role of Head of Operational Excellence, where he led transformative programs to optimize manufacturing, logistics, and digital systems across Evonik’s business units. These efforts were aimed at enhancing the company’s agility, reducing carbon footprint, and improving customer responsiveness — all critical components of Evonik’s long-term growth strategy.
Most recently, in 2024, he was appointed Regional President for the Americas. In this role, he oversaw operations, strategic partnerships, and commercial performance across North and South America. Under his leadership, the region recorded robust growth and deepened collaborations with healthcare and biotechnology partners.
Guiding the Future of Evonik Health Care
Now, as the new head of Evonik’s Health Care business line, Skudlarek is poised to bring his wide-ranging experience to one of the company’s most dynamic and impactful sectors. The Health Care division collaborates with the world’s foremost pharmaceutical, medical, and nutritional companies to deliver solutions that turn scientific complexity into tangible value.
From pharmaceutical excipients and advanced drug delivery systems to bioavailability enhancement and contract development and manufacturing services (CDMO), Evonik Health Care offers a versatile and integrated portfolio. The division supports the entire product lifecycle, from early-stage development to commercial production, empowering customers to bring their innovations to market faster and more effectively.
Skudlarek’s appointment signals Evonik’s commitment to not only maintaining its leadership in this space but also expanding its capabilities through digitalization, sustainability, and tailored customer partnerships. With global health challenges growing more complex, his leadership will be crucial in ensuring that Evonik Health Care remains a driving force behind innovations that improve quality of life across the globe.
Leading Beyond Chemistry
Evonik’s mission — “Leading Beyond Chemistry” — is more than a slogan. It reflects a corporate philosophy rooted in innovation, sustainability, and societal impact. The company, headquartered in Essen, Germany, employs around 32,000 people and operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. In 2024, Evonik reported €15.2 billion in sales and an adjusted EBITDA of €2.1 billion, underlining its resilience and strong financial performance despite challenging macroeconomic conditions.
Central to Evonik’s strategy is the belief that specialty chemicals can be a superforce for positive change in the world. From sustainable agriculture to advanced mobility and from climate-friendly manufacturing to next-generation healthcare solutions, the company leverages its technological expertise to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.
The Health Care business line plays a critical role in this vision. By providing high-quality pharmaceutical ingredients, delivery technologies such as EUDRAGIT® polymers, and services like parenteral drug formulation and sterile fill-finish, the division enables groundbreaking therapies to reach the market with speed and reliability.
A Market Poised for Growth
The global healthcare and life sciences industry is undergoing rapid transformation. Demand for personalized medicine, mRNA therapeutics, biologics, and nutraceuticals is accelerating, creating new opportunities — and new challenges — for companies across the value chain. Regulatory scrutiny, supply chain disruptions, and the imperative for sustainability are shaping the competitive landscape.
Under Skudlarek’s leadership, Evonik Health Care is expected to not only navigate these shifts but actively shape them. His proven track record in managing high-performance teams, executing strategic acquisitions, and driving operational excellence equips him with the tools necessary to guide the division into its next phase of growth.
One of Skudlarek’s key priorities will likely be the continued investment in cutting-edge technologies, such as lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for RNA delivery, biodegradable polymers for implantable devices, and fermentation-based ingredients for nutritional health. Additionally, his background in efficiency programs suggests a continued focus on lean manufacturing, digital quality systems, and customer-centric service delivery.
A New Chapter Begins
Guido Skudlarek’s appointment as Head of Evonik’s Health Care business line marks the beginning of a new chapter in the company’s evolution as a global innovation partner in health and life sciences. His combination of technical expertise, strategic vision, and international leadership makes him uniquely suited to guide this high-impact business line at a time of profound change and opportunity.
In welcoming Skudlarek to his new role, Evonik underscores its commitment to fostering talent, driving sustainable innovation, and improving lives through chemistry — and beyond.
As Skudlarek takes the helm, the industry will be watching closely to see how he shapes the future of Evonik Health Care, building on its strong foundation and accelerating its contributions to global health and well-being.
