Evonik plans new methionine plant in Singapore
Evonik Industries intends to build a new production complex for the amino acid DL-methionine for animal feeds in Singapore. This vertically integrated complex will produce DL-methionine and all strategically important intermediates.
The integrated production complex with a annual capacity of 150,000 metric tonnes is expected to come on stream in 2014.
Evonik is already today the global market leader in methionine and the new facility will raise its total annual production capacity for this product to 580,000 tonnes.
The company’s Executive Board has now approved the conceptual and basic engineering for Singapore’s petrochemicals site Jurong Island.
Core business
"Methionine is an Evonik core business. The market is growing steadily and has proven very robust, even in the economic crisis. The planned new facility in Asia, which will be the most important market in the future, is designed to strengthen our market leadership," explained Klaus Engel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik Industries AG.
The final investment sum will be in the 500 millions range and still has to be approved by the Supervisory Board.
The facility in Singapore will add to a global presence in all major regions: Europe, the USA, Latin America and Asia. The company will then be able to supply its customers in the feed industry directly from local production facilities.
Evonik currently produces methionine at four plants in Wesseling (Germany), Mobile (USA) and Antwerp (Belgium).
In response to the robust development of demand, the present facilities are being expanded successively to raise total capacity to 430,000 metric tons per year by 2013.
Essential amino acid
DL-methionine is an essential amino acid for healthy and environmentally-sustainable nutrition of farm animals, especially pigs and poultry.
Demand for methionine has risen continuously in recent years. This is partly because increasing prosperity in populous emerging markets such as China is changing consumption patterns and increasing demand for meat.
Other growth drivers for amino acids are innovations in the field of animal nutrition. New feeding concepts that ensure more balanced animal nutrition while optimizing the use of resources and environmental impact are gaining ground.
Related website: Evonik
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