Celebrating 25 years of partnership: Evonik and UNITECH International
Evonik and UNITECH celebrate 25 years of partnership - driven by shared values and a commitment to shaping future STEM leaders. Learn how the collaboration has empowered talent and transformed careers.
This year marks a special milestone: the 25th anniversary of UNITECH International Society - and with it, 25 years of collaboration between Evonik and UNITECH.
Since the beginning, our partnership has been driven by shared values, a passion for innovation, and a strong commitment to developing the next generation of STEM leaders. Together, we’ve built a unique ecosystem that connects top students, leading universities, and global companies.
Axel Kobus, Senior Vice President Custom Solutions at Evonik, supports the UNITECH collaboration since he was a young engineer. Now, he has some experiences to share.
It was most rewarding for me to participate ‘early stage’ 25 years ago in the UNITECH journey as young engineer and to grow myself with the UNITECH network along my entire career path. As seasoned executive leader today and member of the UNITECH Board for several years I can testify that the UNITECH program and community has been a unique alliance for permanent rejuvenation, enriching innovation and encouraging collaboration spirit. For Evonik, UNITECH is a strategic investment for the future, shaping responsible STEM leaders properly equipped to drive industry transformation. The trust, credibility and mutual commitment in this long-standing relationship make it an invaluable asset to our organization and to me personally.
The heart of UNITECH are the students and alumni of the network. For the occasion of the anniversary, David and Maninadh, both UNITECH Alumni working at Evonik, give an insight into their experiences and learnings with UNITECH and Evonik.
Looking back, how did your experience with UNITECH shape your career path and lead you to Evonik?
Maninadh: “The UNITECH program was a turning point in my professional development. It gave me exposure to a blend of academic and industry worlds, which helped me understand how one individual can create a real-world impact. Through the network and the soft skills I developed, I gained the confidence to pursue opportunities beyond my comfort zone. This mindset ultimately led me to Evonik, where I found a culture that values innovation, collaboration and freedom —principles deeply rooted in the UNITECH experience.“
What skills or perspectives from the UNITECH program do you still apply in your day-to-day work at Evonik?
David: “One of the most valuable perspectives from the Unitech program is the emphasis on sustainability and digitalisation. The program instilled not only the importance of these themes but also a passion for driving them forward. Both are at the core of my daily work: I support businesses in accelerating their sustainability transformation by providing the right metrics and knowledge, and much of this is enabled through digital tools and solutions. This combination of strategic vision and practical implementation, which UNITECH helped cultivate, continues to shape how I approach challenges and create impact.”
Maninadh: “One of the most valuable takeaways from UNITECH was the ability to work effectively in diverse, interdisciplinary teams and the importance of sustainability. At Evonik, I regularly collaborate across departments and cultures, and the communication and leadership skills I honed during the program are essential. The systems-thinking approach I developed also help me navigate complex challenges in process engineering with a broader perspective.“
Can you share a moment at Evonik where you felt your UNITECH experience really made a difference?
Maninadh: “During a recent cross-functional project involving optimization of one of our BL's processes, I was tasked with aligning multiple stakeholders, budget acquisition and driving the initiative forward. The leadership training and stakeholder management experience from UNITECH helped me facilitate productive discussions and build consensus across teams. It was a moment where I truly saw the value of the program come to life—not just in technical execution, but in leading with purpose and clarity.”
This anniversary is not only a celebration of our shared achievements—it’s also a moment to look ahead. As we continue to shape the future of industry and sustainability, we remain committed to empowering visionary talent and fostering meaningful collaboration.