Evonik divests its Bekasi betaines business to Aekyung Chemical, advancing its transition toward sustainable specialty chemicals and portfolio realignment in Asia.
Evonik Industries AG has taken another decisive step in its transformation toward becoming a sustainable specialty chemicals provider by divesting its betaines business in Bekasi, Indonesia. The transaction, officially completed on October 31, 2025, marks the transfer of Evonik’s 100% ownership in PT Evonik Sumi Asih to Aekyung Chemical Co., Ltd., one of South Korea’s leading chemical manufacturers. The sale includes the joint venture’s full management, operational facilities, assets, and approximately 60 employees.
“The Bekasi site has been instrumental in expanding our life sciences operations across the Asia-Pacific region,” said Ute Schick, Head of Evonik’s Care Solutions business line. “As we focus more on sustainable specialty products—such as biosurfactants—this divestment is fully aligned with our long-term strategic objectives.”
Evonik has been a prominent global player in the betaines market for several decades. However, the company has steadily been reshaping its portfolio to emphasize sustainability, performance, and innovation. Over the past 15 years, Evonik has pursued a strategy aimed at delivering high-performance, eco-friendly ingredients tailored for the personal care and household cleaning sectors. The decision to exit the betaines business in Indonesia reflects Evonik’s broader plan to channel resources into sustainable specialties, particularly high-growth areas like cosmetic active ingredients and biotechnology-driven surfactants.
This move follows a consistent global pattern. In August 2022, Evonik divested its betaines business in Hopewell, Virginia, USA. Similarly, the company sold its Milton Keynes, UK, operation in August 2020 and consolidated its European betaine operations in Essen, Germany. The Bekasi divestment, therefore, represents the latest milestone in Evonik’s strategic withdrawal from non-core global betaine assets. Despite this, Evonik will continue producing and marketing betaines in Europe and Latin America to maintain its service to established markets.
Betaines are amphoteric surfactants that play a crucial role in the formulation of shampoos, conditioners, skincare, and other personal care products. They are also used across various consumer and industrial applications due to their mildness and versatility.
Located roughly 20 kilometers east of Jakarta, Evonik’s Bekasi site has been a strategically positioned facility, manufacturing both betaines and esters for regional and international markets. Its proximity to key Southeast Asian markets made it a vital production hub within Evonik’s global network. With Aekyung Chemical now taking ownership, the site is expected to continue serving customers across the region while enabling Evonik to focus more sharply on advancing sustainable, specialty-driven innovation.
