Following approval by the relevant company committees, German chemical company Evonik has begun basic engineering for its planned amino acid DL-methionine in Singapore.

The 150,000 t/y facility, its second on Jurong Island, is expected to start production in 2019. Evonik said the decision to proceed was based on the continuing increase in demand for sustainable animal nutrition and the project was progressing on schedule.

DL-methionine is added to animal feed where Evonik said it contributes toward efficient, healthy and eco-friendly nutrition of agricultural livestock, particularly poultry and pigs.

Population growth and rising living standards are leading to an increase in meat consumption in many regions of the world, resulting in higher demand for the amino acid.