ESSEN, Germany—Evonik Industries A.G. said that its supervisory board has resolved unanimously to end the term of office of Patrik Wohlhauser as the chief operating officer, effective June 30.
Wohlhauser will be replaced by Ralph Sven Kaufmann beginning July 1.
The firm did not give a reason for the immediate termination of Wohlhauser's tenure, though Evonik Chairman Werner Müller said the departure was on “highly amicable terms.”
Müller said Evonik has much to thank Wohlhauser for and added that he played a key role in shaping the company's chemicals operations over many years.
Wohlhauser joined Evonik's executive board in April 2011 and took on responsibility for the chemical operations as chief operating officer in January 2014
New COO Kaufmann has been a managing partner of Dusseldorf Scopein Management Consultants since 2001.
He trained in banking and studied economics and business administration at the universities of Cologne and New York.