Evonik is to cluster its MetAMINO (DL-methionine) production at three international hubs (Americas, Europe, and Asia). The company has decided to do this to maximize economies of scale and utilize robust processes.
Leading position
Evonik is a leading global manufacturer of DL-methionine, an essential amino acid which is used in modern feed formulation. All three of Evonik’s world-scale MetAMINO plants operate along cost leading, best-in-class technology lines, and offer opportunities for further expansion. They are also ready for cost efficient modular debottlenecking in the future.
Closing
Following this strategy, Evonik is to close the smallest of its MetAMINO plants with a capacity of 65,000 tons per year, located in Wesseling, Germany, by the end of the first quarter of 2021. In addition, Evonik will invest about €25 million into upgrading its world-scale plant for methionine intermediates in Wesseling to safeguard long-term supply to the Antwerp site and to strengthen its European MetAMINO-Verbund. “These steps will lead to a better cost position with economies of scale and an enhanced ability to adapt to any market condition,” according to Evonik.
Adapt
Dr. Emmanuel Auer, head of Animal Nutrition business line at Evonik, said: “The methionine business is important for Evonik, now and in the future. We will adapt to market challenges and prepare our asset set-up for efficiency and optimized cost structures. As part of structural asset optimization, the time felt right to close the smallest methionine asset.” Evonik has been producing MetAMINO in Wesseling since 1967.
Largest
In 2014, Evonik opened its methionine production facility in Singapore. In 2019 the company doubled the capacity at the site. Today Singapore is the largest DL-methionine production complex in the world with a nameplate capacity of 300,000 tons per year MetAMINO.
Alongside Singapore, Evonik operates world-scale facilities in Mobile, Alabama, USA and in Antwerp, Belgium.
Also read: Evonik launched methionine white paper
