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.

"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," said Klaus Engel, 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 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, 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. Evonik produces DL-methionine at world-scale plants in Antwerp, Belgium; Wesseling/Cologne, Germany; Mobile, Ala., and Singapore.