Evonik Chairman Klaus Engel is to step down early, according to a statement released by the company this week. He will be replaced by current Chief Strategic Officer and Deputy Chairman Christian Kullmann in May.

Evonik told Reuters that Engel’s departure was amicable and would be effective from May 23, after the specialty chemicals supplier’s annual shareholders meeting. No reason was given for his premature departure.

 “We thank Mr. Engel for his service to the company and for his outstanding achievements,” said Werner Müller, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. “Mr. Engel has transformed Evonik from a conglomerate to a company focused on chemicals, successfully listed it on the stock market, and developed it into a leading specialty chemicals company with outstanding prospects.” 

Kullmann will be replaced as Deputy Chairman by Harald Schwager, effective September 1. Schwager is currently a member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF, which he will be leaving in May.

Evonik also announced that COO Ralph Sven Kaufmann would be departing on June 30, 2017 and would not be replaced. The company’s supervisory board approved the changes yesterday.