Evonik Industries has started construction work on a second world-scale production plant for the amino acid DL-methionine in Singapore. The 150,000 metric ton plant is expected to come on stream in 2019.

\"We have supported strong market growth in DL-methionine over the years by timely and needs-driven expansion of our production capacities, and we plan to continue doing this,\" said Klaus Engel, chairman of Evonik.

DL-methionine is an essential amino acid that must be supplied in feed. The specialty chemicals group markets DL-methionine under the MetAMINO® brand name.

The new complex will be erected next to Evonik’s existing methionine plant on Jurong Island, Singapore, enabling it to service the Asian growth market particularly well.

The complex will be a fully backward-integrated production complex, with all strategically important precursors made on site. \"This guarantees high product quality as well as supply security,\" explained Engel.

The specialty chemicals group is already producing DL-methionine at world-scale plants in Antwerp (Belgium), Wesseling/Cologne (Germany), Mobile (Alabama, USA), and Singapore.