Evonik Industries is doubling its capacities for producing the feed amino acid L-lysine in North America.
A two-phase expansion of a Blair, Neb., plant to an annual capacity of 280,000 metric tons is expected to be completed by August 2012. "This investment further strengthens our market position in the feed additive business," said Klaus Engel, CEO. "We recently announced plans to construct a new plant for expanding our DL-methionine capacity to 580,000 metric tons a year, and doubling our L-lysine capacities will add further growth to our biotechnology-manufactured amino acid L-lysine, as well."
Evonik expects to bring the first additional quantities to the market in November 2011, when the first expansion phase, which includes doubling the evaporation capacities for product concentration, is complete. At the same time, Evonik has started the second expansion phase, for which all permits were granted in June 2011.
