Evonik has appointed long-time Evonik executive Elias Lacerda President of the Americas region, effective February 1, 2026. Lacerda will succeed Guido Skudlarek, who recently became global Head of Evonik’s U.S.-based Health Care business line. 

“The Americas region is crucial for Evonik’s success,” says Lauren Kjeldsen, Evonik’s Chief Operating Officer Custom Solutions and Management Board member responsible for the Americas. “I want to sincerely thank Guido for his successful work in growing the Americas business, and I look forward to Elias leading the next phase of our growth trajectory in North and South America. We see great potential there and have ambitious goals.”

A native Brazilian with degrees in chemical engineering and business administration (MBA), Lacerda has nearly three decades of experience with Evonik and its predecessors. He spent half of that time in Central and South America (CSA) managing businesses in the coatings sector and holding global leadership positions in Evonik’s Silica and Animal Nutrition business lines. Most recently, he served as head of the strategically important Coating Additives business line at the company’s headquarters in Essen, Germany. From 2018 to 2022, he led the CSA region as president. The CSA and North America regions were recently merged.

“Elias is the perfect choice for the Americas region. Fluent in four languages and with an extensive global network, he combines scientific and business expertise in an ideal way,” says Kjeldsen. 

Evonik generates 30 percent of its annual revenue in the Americas and operates more than 30 production sites in the region, along with distribution centers and commercial offices. “My focus is on people, performance, and prosperity,” says Lacerda. “I look forward to working with our excellent team to expand Evonik’s business in the Americas, drive key strategic projects, and strengthen the region.”