Evonik has named long-time company executive Elias Lacerda as its new President Americas, effective February 1, 2026.

Elias Lacerda

Evonik confirmed that Lacerda will take over the role from Guido Skudlarek, who recently assumed global leadership of the Health Care business line in the United States. The company’s management highlighted the region’s strategic weight, noting that the Americas account for nearly a third of Evonik’s global revenue and host more than 30 production sites. COO Lauren Kjeldsen described the region as “crucial for Evonik’s success” and credited Skudlarek for his contributions while expressing confidence in Lacerda’s ability to lead the next growth phase across North and South America.

Lacerda brings close to 30 years of experience at Evonik and its predecessor companies. His background includes senior roles in coatings, silica, and animal nutrition, alongside a previous tenure as President of the Central and South America region between 2018 and 2022. The recent merger of the CSA and North America regions places his leadership at a pivotal moment for integration and expansion. Fluent in four languages, he has held global responsibilities, most recently heading the Coating Additives business line in Essen.

Evonik emphasized that Lacerda intends to focus on “people, performance, and prosperity” while driving strategic initiatives across the Americas. Founded in Germany and active in over 100 countries, Evonik reported €15.2 billion in sales in 2024.