Evonik has consistently strengthened its DL-methionine-business in recent years. Methionine is an amino acid for protein supply in animal nutrition. The last major step for growth was in 2006 with the commissioning of the world’s largest DL-methionine plant in Antwerp. The plant has a capacity of 120,000 and with about € 300 million the largest investment ever in the chemistry business of the group.

At the same time, Evonik announced that the already existing plant in Antwerp after an extensive modernization is back into operation as well. Alfred Oberholz, a member of the Board of Evonik, said: "Changing eating habits and high population growth in many countries around the world have increased the demand for foods of animal origin. With the continuous expansion of our production capacity for DL-methionine, we are capable to match this growing demand for amino acids."

Antwerp is one of the major sites of Evonik and employs approximately 1,000 employees in the chemical business. Except in Antwerp Evonik also produces DL-methionine at Wesseling in Germany and Mobile in the US.