Evonik completes expansion of Singapore methionine plant

SINGAPORE – Evonik has completed the expansion of its DL-methionine production facilities on Jurong Island, Singapore, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to sustainability and global food production. 

The company announced on August 28, 2024, that the production of MetAMINO is now running at full capacity following strategic shutdowns in late 2023 and mid-2024. 

The expansion has increased production capacity by 40,000 metric tons, bringing the total annual output to 340,000 metric tons, well ahead of the original schedule.

This expansion enhances production capacity and significantly advances Evonik’s sustainability goals. The company has optimised its methionine production plants through process intensification, resulting in a surplus of steam that is now utilised for on-site electricity generation. 

A key component of this sustainability drive is the partnership with Linde, which designed and operated a nine-megawatt alkaline electrolyser plant on Jurong Island. 

This facility, the largest of its kind in Singapore, produces green hydrogen essential for MetAMINO production, underscoring Evonik’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

Dr. Harald Schwager, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board at Evonik, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, 

“Our work with Linde on implementing green hydrogen in our Singapore facilities is a testament to our commitment to sustainability. We are dedicated to building a more sustainable future through close partnerships.”

The expanded facility has already reduced MetAMINO’s product carbon footprint at the Jurong Island site by 6%, encompassing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. 

This improvement aligns with Evonik’s broader environmental goals, which include science-based targets approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). The company aims to align with a 1.5°C warming pathway and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, praised the expansion, stating, “Evonik’s latest expansion addresses two urgent global challenges—climate change and food production—in a sustainable way. By increasing product yield with fewer emissions, Evonik’s facility will help feed a growing population while reducing our carbon footprint.”

Evonik’s ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of its production processes are part of a broader strategy to improve sustainability across the food value chain. 

The company’s Singapore methionine plants, operational since 2014 and 2019, are integral to its global production network, including facilities in Mobile, Alabama, and Antwerp, Belgium.

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