Evonik has appointed Dr. Hans-Josef Ritzert as its regional president of greater China, effective Sept. 1. Ritzert currently heads the company's Exclusive Synthesis & Pharma Amino Acids business and was previously head of its Catalysts business. Evonik has about 3500 employees in the greater China region and had a turnover exceeding €1 billion in 2010. Ritzert, who holds a doctorate in chemistry, takes over the position from Dr. Dahai Yu, who was appointed to Evonik's executive board in April.

Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux will head the newly formed Health Care business line. Herbeaux, who has been leading the company's Pharma Polymers business since the beginning of 2009, joined Evonik Industries (then Degussa) in 2000.