Evonik invests in DL-methionine production capacity expansion in Singapore

SINGAPORE- Evonik, one of the largest manufacturers of specialty chemicals used in animal feed production, is making progress with the expansion of its DL-methionine production plant in Singapore.

Methionine is a limiting amino acid used in livestock production to enhance the nutrition of animals efficiently, and with its science-based approach, the Animal Nutrition business line of Evonik develops products that improve the quality of feed supplied to animal protein producers globally. 

According to Future Market Insights, the global methionine market is expanding rapidly and is expected to reach US$5.57 billion by the year 2032. 

Evonik, therefore, seeks to tap into this growing market by bolstering its production capacity to meet global demand.

According to Evonik, to reach an important milestone in the construction process, production at the Singapore plant on Jurong Island will be reduced for three months in Q4/2023, followed by another three-month tie-in shutdown in the first half of 2024.

This shutdown is part of the implementation of Evonik’s methionine asset strategy to safeguard long-term global supply security. 

The expansion is proceeding as expected and the planned production stops in the fourth quarter of 2023 and first half of 2024, which are necessary for maintenance and safety reasons, will allow modifications to be made that would not be possible during day-to-day operations.

“We fully understand that these shutdowns may pose challenges for our customers and our teams have prepared mitigation plans for MetAMINO supply from our global production network. We are in continuous communication with regional and global customers to carefully plan shipments,” said Noel Kim, regional vice president of Animal Nutrition.

Earlier this year, Evonik announced a high double-digit million-euro investment to boost the production capacity of MetAMINO (DL-methionine) on Jurong Island, Singapore, by 40,000 metric tons per year to around 340,000 metric tons per year. 

The expansion will improve the efficiency of the facility’s processes and reduce the carbon footprint of all of Evonik’s MetAMINO production in Singapore by six percent (Scope 1+2+3).

Similarly, in February this year, Evonik said it had invested EUR25 (US$27.7) million in its plant that produces methyl mercapto-propionaldehyde (MMP), an organic compound that is integral in the production of DL-methionine in Wesseling, Germany.

Additionally, Evonic made significant restructuring changes in its Nutrition & Care Division, under which the Animal Nutrition business is, by separating the operation of its amino acids and specialty nutrition businesses in April this year.

Though the move led to the loss of about 200 jobs, Evonik held that the move would allow for more streamlined operations of these businesses. 

“We are systematically implementing a plan that will develop our animal nutrition business, so it continues to grow and succeed in our markets,” said Johann-Caspar Gammelin, president of Evonik’s Nutrition and Care division during the announcement in April.