German chemical producer Evonik has signed a toll manufacturing agreement with China’s Fufeng Group that will see Fufeng produce Evonik’s L-threonine amino acid in China, using the German group’s technology.

The Chinese bio-fermentation specialist will use Evonik’s proprietary technology to make the animal nutrition product, which is sold under the ThreAMINO brand name. With the strategic partnership, the German group said it will be able to provide its full portfolio of amino acids to all customers while maintaining a lean asset portfolio.

"Our strategy reflects the recent dynamics of the feed amino acids market and helps Evonik to further optimize its bio amino acid business,” said Emmanuel Auer, head of the Animal Nutrition Business Line. Through the toll-manufacturing deal in China, he said the group is supporting its position in Western and Asian markets. For all customers, supply security, product quality and personal contacts remain the same.

Based in Juna, the Fufeng Group operates several large-scale production facilities in Northern China and counts as the world’s largest producer of starch-based food and feed ingredients, of fermentative feed additives in particular. The collaboration with Evonik will enable the Chinese player to assume an important role as an amino acid supplier.

L-Threonine is an essential amino acid the body cannot produce itself, so that it must be  taken up by the  animal with the feed. An optimal L-threonine level improves feed intake, weight gain and nutritional value of the feed, Evonik said. The Essen-based group has been producing 60 essential amino acids for more than 60 years.

New PMMA compounding line

Separately, Evonik said it plans to start up a new production line for specialty PMMA molding compounds in the first quarter of 2019. It said the unquantified new capacity will nearly double output capability and strengthen its fully integrated methacrylates portfolio.  Construction is due to begin shortly.

The group claims to be the only manufacturer that has fully integrated MMA/PMMA production networks with downstream compounding in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.