Evonik plans to build additional world-scale methionine plant in Singapore

• Strong demand for sustainable animal nutrition
• 150,000 metric tons annual capacity
• Fully backward-integrated plant in Singapore

Essen. Evonik Industries has started the planning stage for the construction of an additional world-scale plant complex in Singapore. The facility, which will produce the amino acid DL-methionine for animal nutrition, will have an annual production capacity of 150,000 metric tons and is expected to start operations in 2019. It still requires authorization from the Evonik committees.

With this decision Evonik follows the global megatrends of health and nutrition, which are driving the growth of the DL-methionine business. With the timely and demand driven expansion of capacities over the past few years Evonik has continuously accompanied this strong market growth. "We are convinced that the market for DL-methionine will continue to show dynamic growth, and we want to contribute to meeting the global demand for this product, which is indispensable for efficient and sustainable animal nutrition worldwide," says Klaus Engel, the Chairman of the Evonik Executive Board. Evonik sells DL-methionine under the brand name MetAMINO®.

Evonik’s most recent methionine plant took up its operations in Singapore in the fourth quarter of 2014 after a two-year construction period—precisely as planned—and operations are utilized according to plan. "The new complex will allow us to accompany market growth and further strengthen customer relations. As a reliable partner to our customers, we are of the strong conviction to realize this project in the given time frame as well," said Dr. Reiner Beste, the Chairman of the Board of Management at Evonik Nutrition & Care GmbH. In its new, backward-integrated production complex, Evonik will also produce all associated strategically relevant precursors.

The construction of the plant complex is planned next to the existing Evonik methionine plant on Jurong Island in Singapore. The location in Singapore allows Evonik to serve especially Asian growth markets well. The specialty chemicals company produces DL-methionine at world-scale plants in Antwerp (Belgium), Wesseling/Cologne (Germany), Mobile (Alabama, USA), and Singapore.

DL-methionine is an essential amino acid, and must therefore be supplied in the diet. As a feed additive, it contributes to the efficient, healthy and environmentally friendly nutrition of livestock, particularly poultry and swine.

Population growth and rising affluence are resulting in increased meat consumption in many parts of the world, driving up the demand for methionine. The addition of methionine and other amino acids can significantly lower the crude protein content of animal feed. This in turn benefits the environment by alleviating resource consumption, greenhouse effect, eutrophication, and acidification potential.

Evonik produces and markets four essential amino acids for modern animal nutrition: MetAMINO® (DL-methionine), Biolys® (L-lysine), ThreAMINO® (L-threonine) and TrypAMINO® (L-tryptophan). The company provides innovative services and products in over 100 countries, making a valuable contribution to the profitability of its customers and to healthy, environmentally friendly and sustainable animal nutrition.