Linzbach informed the Heidelberg supervisory board on 22 July that he would not be seeking the extension of his contract and aims to pursue new professional challenges. 

He stepped down temporarily from his role due to ill health in June 2015, being replaced by chief financial officer Dirk Kaliebe, but returned to full-time work in January 2016. 

A spokesman for Heidelberg said: “Dr Linzbach has decided along with the supervisory board that now, after a successful turnaround of the company and a successful repositioning of Heidelberg with more and more focus on digital, it is a perfect time to work on handing over this responsibility.

“In the vitae of Dr Linzbach, he always said that he usually works for three or four years on a turnaround in a company and if it is achieved then usually his job is done.

“Linzbach is looking for new opportunities as he did in the past, is strongly recovering from his sickness and is getting better day-by-day.” 

The spokesman also said it is normal in Germany that a decision be made on contract renewal for a chairman a year before it is up, in order to give time to seek alternatives. 

In September 2012, then 56-year-old Linzbach replaced former Heidelberg chief Bernhard Schreier, after 13 years at the helm. He was unanimously appointed by the Heidelberg board, having previously been chief executive of D&S Europe since 2009.

Linzbach’s replacement should inherit a business in good financial shape. In June, it posted strong financial results, with sales up 7.6% to €2.5bn (£1.95bn), an operating profit of €116m and net result (after taxes) of €28m.

When he took over in 2012, operating profit was at €3m and net result (after taxes) was -€230m.

Linzbach holds a PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Dortmund.