Covestro has decided on personnel changes at the executive board and supervisory board level that are intended to further consolidate the company's strategic course. The adjustments follow the successful conclusion of the partnership with the XRG industrial consortium and mark a transition to the next phase of development.
Covestro CFO Baier announces departure
Christian Baier, currently Chief Financial Officer of Covestro, will not renew his contract and will leave the company in September 2026 at his own request. Baier has headed the finance divisions, including accounting, controlling, and treasury, since joining the Executive Board in October 2023. He informed the Chairman of the Supervisory Board at an early stage to enable an orderly succession process and ensure continuity in management.
During his tenure, Baier contributed significantly to the implementation of the strategic partnership with XRG and accompanied important transformation steps within the company. Members of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board thanked him for his commitment and emphasized that Baier would continue to support the ongoing transformation process until his departure.
Change at the top of the Supervisory Board
Parallel to the upcoming changes on the Executive Board, there will also be a change in leadership on the Supervisory Board. Dr. Rainer Seele was elected as the new Chairman on December 20, 2025. He succeeds Dr. Richard Pott, who has chaired the board since Covestro was founded in 2015 and guided the company through significant transformation phases, including the spin-off from Bayer and the IPO.
Richard Pott bid farewell by highlighting the successful strategic partnership with XRG and expressing his confidence in his successor. His many years of service were honored by both the Executive Board and industry representatives.
Rainer Seele brings international experience
Dr. Rainer Seele has extensive experience in the international energy and chemical industry. He has been President of XRG's global chemical business since 2025 and was previously CEO of OMV. His appointment as Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Covestro is intended to further strengthen the company's international strategic orientation.
In his inaugural address, Seele emphasized Covestro's role as an innovative company with a high level of technological expertise. Together with the Executive Board, he intends to continue driving forward the transformation, promoting sustainable value creation, and fully exploiting the organization's potential.
Continuity and strategic perspective for Covestro
The personnel changes at Covestro come at a time when the company is increasingly focusing on its collaboration with its partner XRG while also concentrating on future topics such as sustainability, the circular economy, and innovation. Both on the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board, the new roles are intended to consistently continue and further develop the Group's strategic orientation.
