Evonik on track with Singapore plant development
In its largest investment to date, Evonik is working on strengthening its core business with essential amino acids for animal nutrition. The Group is investing roughly 500,000 Euros in Singapore to construct a methionine complex with an annual capacity of 150,000 metric tons.
The new plant is scheduled to begin operations in the second half of 2014 and will employ several hundred persons. The main engineering and raw material contracts have already been awarded and preliminary work has already commenced.
In the completely backward-integrated complex on Jurong Island, Evonik will not only produce the amino acid methionine, which is in high demand for animal feed, but also all the strategically important raw materials required for the production process.
Production increase
The new construction and the expansion of its four existing methionine production plants will raise the company’s total annual capacity for this amino acid to 580,000 metric tons beginning in 2014—an increase of more than 60% in just five years (2010: 360,000 mt).
"Methionine is one of our core businesses, which we’re now strengthening considerably in the Asian growth market by making this major investment. This also should bring us closer to our customers in Asia and makes us a solid, reliable, long-term partner," explained Klaus Engel, CEO of Evonik Industries. Evonik is already the market leader for methionine.
"By taking this step in Singapore, we’ll enjoy a presence in all world regions, as is achievable with modern and highly efficient production facilities. We’ve consistently expanded our existing facilities in North America and Europe over the years to meet the increasing demand of our customers and to secure our leading position among the competition," added Reiner Beste, head of the Health & Nutrition Business Unit.
Modern facility
Compared to the integrated production complex that has been operated in Antwerp since 2005, the new Singapore plant will feature numerous technological advances.
"Our comprehensive technical expertise along the entire production chain and our highly experienced international project team are guarantors for the successful and timely implementation of this ambitious project," said Beste.
Evonik markets DL-methionine, which is an indispensable amino acid for healthy and sustainable animal nutrition.
The balanced use of synthetic methionine is playing an increasingly crucial role in advanced nutrition concepts for poultry, pigs, and fish.
Global meat consumption will keep rising in the long run as more and more people live in prosperity, so a more efficient supply of nutrients in animal feed is needed for both ecological and economic reasons.
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