Evonik CEO Urges Delay to Germany's Coal Phase-Out

Christian Kullmann, the CEO of chemical giant Evonik, is calling for a postponement of the planned coal phase-out in North Rhine-Westphalia, citing concerns over energy security. "I don't see the coal phase-out by 2030. We don't have enough gas power plants to secure supply," Kullmann stated in an interview with "Rheinische Post." He criticized Germany's grid infrastructure and the lack of affordable hydrogen, asserting that the industry requires coal for at least another decade, likely longer, depending on policy conditions. The German federal parliament passed a law in December 2022 to shut down three lignite blocks by 2030, but a revision clause allows for potential extensions. The government must decide by August 15 whether these plants will be kept in reserve until the end of 2033. Kullmann also suggested delaying Germany's national climate neutrality target from 2045 to 2050, arguing it would prevent further disadvantages for German industry. He pointed out that Germany's contribution to global CO2 emissions is only 1.6 percent, making its neutrality timeline less critical for the world climate but significant for the survival of the German chemical sector.