Evonik Industries has begun construction of a new plant in Mobile, Ala., to produce its Mepron methionine product for use in dairy cow nutrition. A special coating protects the amino acid from undesired degradation in the rumen. The new plant is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2015. The investment is in the low double-digit-million-euro range.

"The investment strengthens our position as the world's leading supplier of amino acids. We continue our strategy of offering amino acids also for special applications in addition to MetAMINO, which is used mainly in poultry and pig feed. This opens up new growth opportunities for our amino acid business," said Evonik executive board member and chief operating officer Patrik Wohlhauser.

"The new plant for Mepron will give us a direct presence in the important U.S. dairy cow market," added Dr. Reiner Beste, head of Evonik's Health & Nutrition Business Unit.

The U.S. is the most important sales region for Mepron, the company said. A similar potential exists in the European Union.