Building Skills: Yueping's path to success leads via Evonik 

When you actively chose to work at the Zhenjiang manufacture site, what were you thinking? 

From Nanping (China) to the Wesseling site in Germany, and then to Zhenjiang site, I have always been in pursuit of challenges and seizing opportunities. Evonik's Innovation Silica (Zhenjiang) Co., Ltd. (EWZ) is Evonik's first fumed silica production base in China, brimming with endless learning opportunities. Therefore, as I was about to complete my studies in Germany, I proactively sought to return to China and join the Zhenjiang factory, embarking on my career journey. 

Upon joining, I witnessed the factory rise from the ground up, with systems and processes evolving from simplicity to sophistication. This experience not only allowed me to accumulate professional knowledge but also honed my problem-solving skills. Between 2024 and 2025, I once again took the initiative to apply for cross-departmental learning, delving into the production technology processes and integrating quality control requirements, which deepened my understanding of the entire production chain. 
Fearless of challenges and enjoying the process is my motto. 

“As a woman working on the front lines of production, I want to show that girls can do anything, and often even better!” 

I've always felt that gender shouldn't define what someone can do. When I first got to the factory, a guy I worked with said, 'This is too heavy; let me handle it,' and I just smiled and replied, 'No worries!' then I turned around and lifted it myself. 

In the highly automated Evonik factory, what matters is not how much weight we can lift, but the ability to identify, solve, and prevent problems in the details. It’s about being sensitive to data and paying attention to details during audits. Different genders may bring various perspectives and viewpoints to the same issue, which can spark new ideas and lead to unexpected outcomes. 

Are you the type who dreads boredom? Do you think your current role keeps things interesting?

What I studied in Germany focused on processes and testing in production, so when I started working in the lab, it felt like opening the door to a completely new world. However, the repetitive testing tasks can sometimes feel dull and lacking in challenge, so I began to delve deeper into the entire quality system. I discovered that what seemed like a monotonous job could be continuously optimized. From this, I identified production fluctuations, issues, and relevant solutions, which gave me a great sense of accomplishment. 

In a brand-new laboratory, SOPs, record forms, reagent lists, and equipment lists—every detail is the fruit of hard-earned success, and going to work gives me a strong sense of belonging. 

What’s it like living alone in Zhenjiang? 

Building my own social circle and finding like-minded friends has always been one of my favorite challenges. After five years in Zhenjiang and three moves, I now have my own little apartment and a pet. At first, I did feel quite lonely, but as I got to know and adapt to this city, I gradually made many new friends. My life has been improving, thanks to the support from Evonik. They regularly organize trips and team-building activities, and my colleagues and supervisors have also been very helpful in my daily life. 

Due to certain reasons, I gained nearly 40 pounds in a year, but I decided to start exercising again, inspired by Evonik's walking activities. This led me to new friends—friends from sports, travel, and fitness. I couldn't be happier with my life now.