This provides thyssenkrupp with the basis for establishing an independent, publicly listed materials distributor and supply chain service provider. Through its materials as a service strategy, tk accelis combines materials supply, processing, logistics and digital supply chain solutions and will focus on developing beyond a traditional warehousing business.
As part of the transaction, 49% of the shares in the future tk accelis Group AG & Co. KGaA will be transferred directly to thyssenkrupp AG shareholders. thyssenkrupp AG remains the majority shareholder with 51%, thus continuing to serve as a strong strategic anchor for the business. Shareholders will receive one tk accelis Group AG & Co. KGaA share for every twenty thyssenkrupp shares. The allocation will be proportional. The listing of tk accelis Group AG & Co. KGaA in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange is planned for the current calendar year.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Siegfried Russwurm, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of thyssenkrupp AG: “The spin-off will provide tk accelis with an equal measure of freedom and responsibility to develop independently. This is in line with thyssenkrupp’s corporate strategy and represents a timely response to market and customer needs. Today, industrial customers expect more than just reliable materials supply. They need partners that understand global procurement markets, manage supply chains, contribute processing expertise and ensure digital transparency. It is precisely this combination that harbors the potential for tk accelis. Systematically growing this potential is a primary interest for our shareholders and the key to ensuring the sound development of the company for all its stakeholders.”
One key element of the new structure is ensuring that tk accelis has direct access to the capital market, thereby creating the basis for the company’s greater financial flexibility.
Miguel López, CEO of thyssenkrupp AG: “tk accelis is ready for the capital market. The company has a strong market position, a proven business model and a clear strategic focus. It will transition from a traditional warehousing business to a provider of materials as a service, focusing on customer benefit, digitalization and efficiency. Independence will enable tk accelis to continue growing high-margin businesses, leverage market opportunities more systematically and make targeted investments. For thyssenkrupp AG, this step is also another milestone on our path to becoming a financial holding company with strong, independent companies.
Substantial operating base and clear strategic focus
The spin-off will provide new prospects for the some 15,500 employees of tk accelis, an independent company with a clear identity and attractive development opportunities. The basis for this is the company’s international presence, broad customer base and strong operational anchorage in industrial value chains.
tk accelis is in a good economic position and has a strong foundation for its independent development. With around 400 locations in more than 30 countries, some 250,000 customers and approximately 11,000 suppliers (all suppliers with a minimum annual procurement volume of at least €10,000), tk accelis is one of the leading manufacturer-independent materials distributors and supply chain service providers. Based on sales, tk accelis is the market leader in Germany and Europe and the third-largest supplier to the North American market.[1]
In recent years, tk accelis has consistently evolved its business model: from a traditional materials distributor to a supply chain service provider with a clear focus on “materials as a service”. There is a growing focus on material-related services – from precise manufacturing and processing through supply chain management to data-driven and AI-supported solutions. This is intended to increase the margins delivered by the business model, making it less dependent on material price volatility.
tk accelis is also well positioned in operational terms. In fiscal year 2024/2025, the company generated sales of €11.4 billion and adjusted EBIT of €132 million – based on the figures in the segment reporting for thyssenkrupp AG. In the second quarter of the current fiscal year 2025/2026 (January to March 2026), tk accelis achieved sales of €3.2 billion (an increase of 5% compared with the prior-year quarter) and an operating result (adjusted EBIT) of €81 million (an increase of 179% compared with the prior-year quarter) – again according to the segment reporting for thyssenkrupp AG. tk accelis has a resilient business model and reliably generates returns and cash flows across business cycles.
tk accelis is benefiting from structural trends. Geopolitical uncertainty and new trade barriers are increasing the demand for resilient and reliable supply chains that are more regional in nature. At the same time, demand is growing for digital solutions and specialized services across the industrial value chain. Additional growth opportunities are derived from future-oriented industries such as aerospace and defense, data centers and industrial electrification and from infrastructure investment in Europe.
The spin-off of tk accelis marks a further key milestone in the strategic realignment of thyssenkrupp AG. With ACES 2030, the Group is pursuing its objective of evolving from an integrated industrial group into a financial holding company. The goal is to manage strong, independent companies with separate entrepreneurial responsibility under the umbrella of thyssenkrupp AG, enabling them to leverage their individual market opportunities.
In connection with the spin-off of tk accelis, the extraordinary general meeting also approved the appointment of the auditor for the closing balance sheet required by the German Transformation Act. Furthermore, an amendment to the Articles of Association of thyssenkrupp AG was put to a vote. This amendment to the Articles of Association takes into account the greater autonomy of listed companies and thus reflects thyssenkrupp AG’s evolving role as a financial holding company. The extraordinary general meeting also approved this agenda item.
Next Step: thyssenkrupp Steel Europe announces Capital Markets Day 2026
The Group is already planning the next step in its transformation process: thyssenkrupp Steel Europe will organize a Capital Markets Day (CMD) for late September.
“With the Capital Markets Day, we will provide our investors and analysts with a clear and transparent picture of thyssenkrupp Steel Europe’s business performance and the success of its realignment to date,” explains CEO Miguel López.
The Capital Markets Day builds on the steel division’s recent structural progress.
Further details on the planned CMD will be announced in due course.
[1] Market position in Germany based on company analysis. Market position in Europe and North America based on a McKinsey analysis using estimated revenues of the top five companies in the market and company analysis.
