Evonik begins basic engineering for an additional methionine plant in Singapore

• Global increase in demand for DL-methionine in animal nutrition
• Second fully backward-integrated plant planned in Singapore
• Targeted annual capacity of 150,000 metric tons 

Evonik Industries has started basic engineering for the construction of a second world-scale production plant for the amino acid DL-methionine in Singapore. The plant complex, with a projected annual production capacity of 150,000 metric tons, is expected to come on stream in 2019. The Evonik committees have now approved the basic engineering.

The decision is based on the continuing increase in the demand for sustainable animal nutrition. "We have supported the strong market growth of DL-methionine over the years by timely and needs-driven expansion of our production capacities, and we plan to continue doing this," says Klaus Engel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik. The specialty chemicals group markets DL-methionine under the MetAMINO® brand name.

The new complex will be erected next to Evonik’s existing methionine plant on Jurong Island, Singapore, which was commissioned in late 2014. "Like our first methionine plant in Singapore, which went on stream on schedule, this project too is progressing according to plan," explains Reiner Beste, chairman of the Board of the Management of Evonik Nutrition & Care GmbH.

Singapore was once again selected as the site because Evonik can service the Asian growth market particularly well from there. And once again, in the new, fully backward-integrated production complex, Evonik will produce all strategically important precursors itself. "This guarantees high product quality as well as supply security," says Beste.

The specialty chemicals group is already producing DL-methionine at world-scale plants in Antwerp (Belgium), Wesseling/Cologne (Germany), Mobile (Alabama, USA), and Singapore.

DL-methionine is an essential amino acid that must be supplied in feed. As a feed additive it contributes toward efficient, healthy, and ecofriendly nutrition of agricultural livestock, particularly poultry and pigs.

Population growth and rising standards of living are leading in many regions of the world to an increase in meat consumption, which in turn increases demand for methionine. The addition of this and other amino acids to animal feeds allows the raw protein content to be significantly reduced. This reduces the burden on the environment by reducing resource consumption, the greenhouse effect, and the potential for eutrophication and acidification.

Evonik translates over 60 years of experience in manufacturing essential amino acids for animal nutrition into solutions that meet the evolving needs of its customers in over one hundred countries. As Evonik now expands its scope to innovative nutritional feed additive solutions beyond amino acids, customers can count on Evonik to take nutrient effectiveness ever further and keep delivering value along with consistent quality. Around the planet, Evonik products and services are and will continue to be key to producing healthy, affordable food with fewer natural resources and a smaller environmental footprint.