Evonik upgrades Antwerp methionine plant to strengthen global feed supply

BELGIUM – Evonik has completed a significant upgrade of its methionine production facilities in Antwerp, Belgium, modernizing logistics and expanding storage capacity to strengthen the global supply of its flagship MetAMINO® (DL-methionine). 

The move, finalized during a planned shutdown in September and October 2025, enhances operational safety, flexibility, and customer service in one of the company’s three world-scale production hubs.

With production sites in Antwerp, Mobile (Alabama, USA), and Singapore, Evonik’s annual global capacity for MetAMINO® now exceeds 700,000 metric tons. 

The amino acid is a key ingredient in animal nutrition, essential for optimizing feed efficiency and supporting sustainable livestock production.

The modernization of the Antwerp plant includes the installation of a new automated filling system for large 1,000-kilogram bags and the expansion of the facility’s storage area. 

These enhancements enable Evonik to better serve feed manufacturers seeking customized, larger packaging solutions, while improving workplace safety and streamlining logistics.

“We see an increasing demand for larger packaging units in the methionine market,” said Dirk Hoehler, head of Evonik’s amino acid business. “With the new, state-of-the-art filling facility, we are well equipped to meet current and future customer requirements.”

By strengthening its Antwerp logistics infrastructure, Evonik aims to reinforce the overall security of methionine supply across its global customer base. 

The company emphasized that these upgrades not only improve efficiency but also help ensure stable delivery amid evolving market conditions and growing demand in the animal nutrition sector.

Sustainable packaging for a greener future

The Antwerp site also became the launch point for Evonik’s new, more sustainable MetAMINO® packaging, introduced in June 2025. 

The 25-kilogram bags are now made entirely of recyclable paper, eliminating the plastic film layer used previously. 

This switch aligns with the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and supports Evonik’s broader sustainability goals.

The new packaging structure, consisting of two layers of paper, reduces the CO₂ footprint of each bag by 20 percent and will prevent around 32 metric tons of polyethylene waste annually at the Antwerp site alone.

In U.S. terms, this represents a reduction of approximately US$1.5 million worth of plastic waste (based on market value of PE waste recovery).

“Product packaging plays an important role in our company’s efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions and achieve a resource-conserving circular economy,” Hoehler said. 

“Packaging must protect the product effectively, but it should do so in the most environmentally friendly way possible.”

Evonik confirmed that the packaging redesign followed extensive testing to ensure that product quality and the 36-month shelf life of MetAMINO® remain unchanged. 

The company said customers will continue to experience the same product performance, stability, and convenience, while benefiting from simpler disposal and improved recyclability.

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