Evonik’s Antwerp site in Belgium has been a pivotal player in the company’s global methionine business for five decades. Alongside the Wesseling facility in Germany, Antwerp constitutes the European cornerstone of Evonik’s production network for MetAMINO® (DL-methionine), a vital amino acid used in animal feed. The anniversary served as both a celebration and a platform for Evonik to engage with EU policymakers.
“The global success story of MetAMINO® began in Antwerp. This site established key production standards that underpin our global asset hubs. Today, methionine is crucial for modern animal husbandry, contributing to sustainable animal protein production for poultry, eggs, and milk, thereby helping to feed the global population,” stated Thomas Wessel, Chief Human Resources Officer and Labor Director at Evonik.
To secure a promising future for European production sites like Antwerp, Evonik management is actively collaborating with industrial policymakers. “Industry forms the backbone of our prosperity in Europe. To ensure the survival of European production facilities amid global competition, policymakers must create competitive conditions,” emphasized Johann-Caspar Gammelin, President of Evonik’s Nutrition & Care division. This commitment is reflected in Evonik’s February signing of the Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal, in partnership with over 70 industry leaders.
Evonik supplies growing global feed markets from three world-scale production hubs located in Antwerp, Mobile (Alabama, USA), and Singapore, with an annual global production capacity for MetAMINO® exceeding 700,000 metric tons.
“Only Evonik boasts a global production network for methionine for animal feeds, ensuring maximum supply security, even during uncertain times,” remarked Dr. Gaetano Blanda, head of Evonik’s Animal Nutrition business line.
The company consistently invests in its methionine production network to support customer growth and minimize the ecological footprint of manufacturing, both in Antwerp and globally. Recent expansions include enhanced DL-methionine production in Singapore, while backward integration at the Mobile plant is also in progress. These initiatives aim to reduce the product-specific CO2 footprint of MetAMINO®, which is currently about 35% below the industry average.
“Situated within the second-largest chemical cluster globally, Evonik Antwerp offers numerous opportunities for ecologically efficient operations,” stated Ivan Pelgrims, General Manager of Evonik Antwerpen NV. For example, the site leverages a by-product of methionine production to create value for another Evonik product, effectively conserving resources. Additionally, investments are being made in green energy sourcing and minimizing freshwater usage.
Antwerp, with its bustling seaport, is Europe’s premier chemical site. Evonik’s predecessor, Degussa, initiated operations there in the late 1960s, with the first MetAMINO® production plant commencing in 1974. A second methionine plant with an annual capacity of 120,000 metric tons was added in 2006. Today, Evonik Antwerp stands as one of the company’s largest multifunctional sites, housing ten production plants across four divisions: Smart Materials, Nutrition & Care, Specialty Additives, and Technology & Infrastructure.
MetAMINO® plays a crucial role in livestock production, enabling healthy, efficient, and sustainable animal feed. Evonik’s Animal Nutrition business line employs a science-based approach to develop products, services, and system solutions that contribute to supplying a growing global population with high-quality, affordable animal protein. This segment is integral to the profitable growth of Evonik’s Nutrition & Care division, thanks to its strong self-financing capabilities.
About Evonik:
Evonik is a global leader in specialty chemicals, operating in over 100 countries and generating sales of €15.3 billion with an adjusted EBITDA of €1.66 billion in 2023. The company strives to go beyond chemistry, creating innovative, profitable, and sustainable solutions for its customers. With approximately 32,000 employees, Evonik is committed to enhancing life today and tomorrow.
