Major investment in Singapore: Evonik to build a new methionine production complex for roughly €500 million

Evonik to expand annual worldwide capacity to 580,000 metric tons

20-Dec-2011 - Singapore

With the largest of its chemical investments to date, Evonik plans to strengthen its core business with essential amino acids for animal nutrition. The Group will invest roughly one-half billion Euros in Singapore for the construction of a methionine complex with an annual capacity of 150,000 metric tons. In the completely backward-integrated complex on Jurong Island, Evonik will not only produce the amino acid methionine, which is in high demand for animal feed, but also all the strategically important raw materials required for the production process. The new plant is scheduled to begin operating in the second half of 2014 and will employ several hundred persons. The main engineering and raw material contracts have already been awarded and preliminary work has already commenced.

The new construction and the expansion of the four existing methionine production plants will raise Evonik's total annual capacity for this amino acid to 580,000 metric tons beginning in 2014—an increase of more than 60 percent in just five years (2010: 360,000 mt).

"Methionine is one of our core businesses, which we're now strengthening considerably in the Asian growth market by making this major investment. This also should bring us closer to our customers in Asia and makes us a solid, reliable, long-term partner," explained Klaus Engel, CEO of Evonik Industries.

"By taking this step in Singapore, we'll enjoy a presence in all world regions, as is achievable with modern and highly efficient production facilities. We've consistently expanded our existing facilities in North America and Europe over the years to meet the increasing demand of our customers and to secure our leading position among the competition," added Reiner Beste, head of the Health & Nutrition Business Unit. Compared to the integrated production complex that has been operated in Antwerp since 2005, the new Singapore plant will feature numerous technological advances. "Our comprehensive technical expertise along the entire production chain and our highly experienced international project team are guarantors for the successful and timely implementation of this ambitious project," said Beste.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/135708/major-investment-in-singapore-evonik-to-build-a-new-methionine-production-complex-for-roughly-500-million.html