Evonik’s Singapore methionine plant completes upgrade milestone

SINGAPORE – Evonik’s methionine production facility in Singapore has achieved a significant milestone with the completion of the initial phase of its upgrade, reinforcing the company’s commitment to a sustainable and secure global supply chain. 

The enhancement of the DL-methionine production facility on Jurong Island is proceeding as planned, following a brief three-month shutdown in the fourth quarter of 2023.

The MetAMINO production at the Singapore site has now resumed operations at full capacity, marking a crucial step in Evonik’s ongoing efforts to elevate the efficiency and sustainability of its methionine production. 

However, the company anticipates the need for a precautionary shutdown of the second MetAMINO production plant at the complex in the second quarter of 2024. This measure is deemed necessary for certain modifications that cannot be efficiently implemented during regular day-to-day operations.

The upgrade is a pivotal component of Evonik’s methionine asset strategy, aimed at ensuring a sustainable and secure global supply chain for the long term. 

The modifications implemented are designed to enhance the efficiency of the facility’s processes while concurrently reducing the carbon footprint of MetAMINO by 6%. 

To achieve this sustainability goal, Evonik is implementing various initiatives, including the use of green hydrogen, energy integration, and circularity improvement actions.

Dr. Dirk Hoehler, Head of the Amino Acids Business at Evonik’s animal nutrition unit, emphasized the company’s dedication to continually improving the sustainability of its production plants. 

The upgrade aligns with Evonik’s science-based targets to reduce emissions, aiming for a pathway consistent with limiting global warming to well below 2°C, with the ultimate goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Evonik highlighted that customers and partners throughout the food value chain will benefit from the upgrade, aligning with their sustainability goals and contributing to the broader industry’s efforts to reduce environmental impact.

Evonik’s two methionine plants in Singapore, operational since 2014 and 2019, respectively, play a crucial role in its global production network. The company also manages two additional methionine production hubs in Mobile, Alabama, USA, and Antwerp, Belgium.

In parallel industry news, Adisseo, another major methionine producer, recently announced the strategic consolidation of its French DL-methionine production at the Roches-Roussillon industrial platform in the Isère region. 

This decision comes in response to challenging economic conditions, leading to the discontinuation of methionine production at its Commentry site since October 2022.

Evonik’s milestone in the upgrade of its Singapore methionine plant represents a positive step forward in the industry’s collective efforts toward sustainable and secure amino acid production.

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