Evonik Industries AG

Evonik Industries AG has rejected a €10.3 billion takeover proposal from larger German peer BASF SE, according to reporting by the Financial Times. Ludwigshafen-based BASF made an initial proposal of approximately €22.15 per share, but Evonik rebuffed the offer on the grounds that the valuation was insufficient to merit formal negotiations or grant due diligence access. The proposed price represented a nearly 29% premium to Evonik's stock prior to public speculation regarding takeover interest, assigning the target an enterprise value of approximately €14.2 billion. The refusal is expected to place heightened scrutiny on Evonik management and its primary shareholder, the RAG-Stiftung foundation, which holds a 44% stake in Evonik to fund former coal mining obligations. BASF reiterated its strategic rationale in a statement on Monday, saying an acquisition would strengthen its core portfolio, while its own investors drove the company's shares down nearly 4% late last week amid concerns over execution risks and the financial burden of integrating a complex peer.

A wave of deal activity spanned multiple sectors this week, led by Qualcomm's acquisition of robotics software firm PickNik to boost its presence in physical AI and robotics. Smurfit Westrock agreed to acquire Empresas CMPC's Chilean containerboard and corrugated business for $420M, including a paper machine in Santiago that produces roughly 250K tons per year. Madison Dearborn Partners agreed to acquire holding firm The Marygold Companies in an all-cash transaction valuing it at $2.00 per share, a 100% premium over its September 24, 2026 closing price. Brookfield is in exclusive talks to buy fraud detection business Actimize from Nice for $2 billion, while Goldman Sachs emerged as the lead bidder for Palmer Square Capital Management, a credit manager overseeing more than $37 billion. Elsewhere, Capri Holdings soared 10% on a report it has connected with potential acquirers, Evonik rose 7.2% in German trading after a report that BASF approached it about a takeover, RPM International agreed to acquire Italy-based Volteco S.p.A. for its Tremco Construction Products Group, and Superstar Platforms agreed to acquire fintech company TitlePal in an all-stock transaction.

The global pentaerythritol triacrylate reactive diluent market is projected to grow from $1.23 billion in 2025 to $1.70 billion by 2030, according to a new 250-page report from ResearchAndMarkets.com. The market is expected to reach $1.31 billion in 2026, representing a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%, and then expand at a CAGR of 6.8% through 2030. Growth is driven by rising demand for UV-curable coatings, inks, adhesives, and electronics applications, with Asia-Pacific leading demand and North America offering the fastest expansion potential. The report profiles 20 major companies including BASF SE, Wanhua Chemical Group, and Evonik Industries, and highlights trends such as bio-based formulations and strategic distribution partnerships like the one between IGM Resins and IDCC Global Chem in India.

The global hexamethylenediamine market is projected to grow from USD 9.55 billion in 2025 to USD 18.59 billion by 2035, at a compound annual growth rate of 6.58 percent, according to SNS Insider. Nylon synthesis held the largest application share at 42 percent in 2025, driven by demand for nylon 6,6 in automotive, electronics, and textiles. The automotive end-use industry accounted for 32 percent of the market, supported by lightweighting trends and electric vehicle component manufacturing. Asia Pacific was the largest regional market with a 38 percent share, led by China and India, while North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region. Key players include INVISTA, Ascend Performance Materials, BASF SE, and Evonik Industries.

The global wax market is projected to grow from USD 11.26 billion in 2025 to USD 16.65 billion by 2035, at a compound annual growth rate of 3.99%. Asia Pacific held the largest share in 2025 at 35.67%, with China contributing about 37.8% of that region's revenue. The U.S. market is expected to rise from USD 2.44 billion in 2025 to USD 3.85 billion by 2035, while Europe is forecast to increase from USD 3.04 billion to USD 4.82 billion over the same period. Mineral wax dominated the product segment with a 68.23% revenue share in 2025, and candles accounted for around 35% of application revenue. Natural wax and cosmetics and toiletries are expected to register the fastest growth rates through 2035.

The global fumed silica market is projected to grow from USD 1.80 billion in 2025 to USD 2.14 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate of 3.46 percent. Hydrophobic fumed silica is anticipated to be the fastest-growing type due to its superior water resistance, dispersibility, and thickening properties, making it ideal for adhesives, sealants, and coatings. Among applications, UPR and composites are set for rapid growth, while the pharmaceutical industry is poised to be the fastest-growing end-use sector. The Middle East and Africa region is projected to lead regional growth, driven by infrastructure development and industrial investments. Key players include Evonik Industries AG, Wacker Chemie AG, and Cabot Corporation.

The global polymeric biomaterials market is projected to grow from USD 69.55 billion in 2024 to USD 267.25 billion by 2034, at a compound annual growth rate of 15.86%, according to a new report from Zion Market Research. The polylactic acid product segment held a dominant 28% revenue share in 2024, driven by its biodegradability and versatility in applications such as drug delivery and tissue engineering. By application, orthopedics led with a 29% share, fueled by rising demand for joint replacements and bone scaffolds. Asia-Pacific is expected to maintain its leading regional position, supported by healthcare expansion and investments in regenerative medicine in countries like China, Japan, and India. Key companies profiled include BASF, DuPont, Evonik Industries, and Corbion.