November 4, 2014
New US$626 million methionine complex opens in Singapore
The new methionine complex of Evonik Industries in Singaporeofficially came on stream on November 4, 2014, after two years in construction.
The plant has an annual capac1ty of 150,000 tonnes, bringing Evonik''s methioninecapacity worldwide to 580,000 tonnes.
"With this new facility, the most modern of its kind and the first world- scale methionine plant in Asia, we are continuing to expand our market and technology lead in DL-methionine," said Dr. Klaus Engel, chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik Industries, at the plant''s opening ceremony in Singapore.
Evonik markets DL-methionine under the MetAMINQ® brand name.
The company has spent over EUR500 million (US$626.25 million) on the complex, the most it has ever invested in a single chemical project.
"Methionine is one of our core businesses and Asia is the fastest- growing methionine market in the world. This is why we decided to build here," said Mr. Engel , who also thanked government and business leaders present at the inaugural event for their support.
MetAMINQ® and all strategically important precursors will be produced in the new methionine complex.
"Thanks to our local presence, our complete back- integration in the new plant, and our global production network for MetAMINQ®, we are able to offer our customers in Asia maximum security of supply," Dr. Reiner Beste, head of Evonik''s Health and Nutrition Business Unit, said.
Progress in feed technology, rapid population growth and rising
consumption of meat in the region are fuelling Asia''s high methionine demand, according to him.
The main reasons for choosing Singapore as the site for the new plant in Asia were the excellent local logistics, the business-friendly, stable environment, and the high level of education of its workforce, Mr. Engel said.
The new production complex is expected create around 200 jobs for highly qualified individuals.