Chemicals giant Evonik opens expanded plant on Jurong Island

Business Correspondent German chemicals giant Evonik opened its expanded facility on Jurong Island on Aug 28.

- Sue-Ann Tan

The expansion will increase annual output by 40,000 tonnes, making the complex the largest methionine production facility in the world, with a market share of over 40 per cent. The chemical is used to feed farm animals.

The plant is now running at full capacity, after shutdowns in late 2023 and early 2024 for the expansion.

Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu said at the opening of the expanded plant: "Since its first sales office was set up here in 1969, Evonik has grown to be one of the largest players in Singapore's energy and chemicals industry." She noted that the company has invested around $1.5 billion in Singapore over the years and now employs 700 or so staff.

Singapore is also home to the firm's Asia-Pacific regional headquarters, its Asia research hub and five manufacturing plants that produce chemicals such as oil additives, catalysts and methionine.

The newly extended facility expands the plant's total capacity by more than 13 per cent, Ms Fu added, noting that it also signals the start of the next bound of growth for Singapore's energy and chemicals industry.