Evonik strengthens support for U.S. milk and dairy industry

• Evonik restarts rumen-protected methionine plant in Mobile (Alabama, USA)
• Local production secures supply for the growing dairy industry in the U.S.
• Creation of ten high-skilled local jobs

Essen, Germany. Evonik has resumed operations at its Mepron® plant in Mobile (Alabama, USA) meaning it will once again supply the U.S. milk and dairy markets from a local source. In times of global pandemic and uncertainties in demand, Evonik has adjusted its manufacturing capacities for Mepron® globally, which also affected the plant in Mobile, AL, in recent years. Starting-up production in Mobile again, Evonik will now supply its U.S. customers from the plant in Alabama.

"Wherever possible, we supply our markets from local production", says Dr. Emmanuel Auer, head of Evonik's Animal Nutrition business line. "This strengthens supply security for our regional customers, especially in challenging times like these."

With over nine million high-performance dairy cows, the U.S. is the world's largest single market for Mepron® - a special methionine formulation which prevents degradation in the rumen and fosters balanced nutrient supply of dairy cows.

To support the growth of its U.S. dairy customers, Evonik started local Mepron® production in Mobile in 2015 at one of three world-scale DL-methionine production hubs of the Animal Nutrition business. The production of Mepron® is based on the essential amino acid DL-methionine.

High-performance dairy cows have a particularly high requirement for methionine. The use of Mepron® enables amino acid balancing of dairy rations to realize substantial reductions on CO2 emissions and nitrogen excretion. Farmers benefit from increases of production economics and milk quality, proven by higher specific milk output, and enhanced herd health, immunity, and fertility.

"We are convinced that, especially in times of global supply chain disruptions, our North American customers in the milk and dairy industry need the supply security of a strong, reliable and regional methionine producer. Now is the right time to ramp up the plant in the U.S. again, showing our regional customers that they can rely on Evonik,” says Bonnie Tully, Evonik's President North America region.

In total, Evonik is creating ten high-skilled jobs at Mobile site by resuming Mepron® production. Already in January 2022, Evonik committed to invest more than USD 175 million into a full back-integration of the methionine production complex at the Mobile Site constructing a new methyl-mercaptan plant.

Methionine-based products are used in livestock farming and aquaculture to feed animals healthily, efficiently, and sustainably. Evonik's Nutrition & Care division, which includes the Animal Nutrition business line, has made sustainability its leading business principle.