Sumitomo Chemical, which has operated an increasing number of feed additive methionine plants at Ehime works since 1966, has announced today that it will seek to further enhance its market competitiveness in feed additive methionine business, by discontinuing the production at the end of this September at one of its plant with less efficiency in productivity and also to renew its production plans in other plants.

Methionine is an essential amino acid that cannot be synthesized in an animal’s body. Because poultry feeds, made mainly from corn, often do not contain sufficient amounts of methionine, it is widely used as a feed additive to increase productivity of chicken meat and eggs, for which demand is increasing due to the growth of the worldwide population and economy. The global methionine market has almost doubled in the past dozen or so years, growing at an annual rate of about 6 percent recently, which means an annual growth in sales volume of about 80,000 tons. The market is expected to show a similar rate of growth in the years to come.

In the methionine business, Sumitomo Chemical’s strength is in its integrated production process starting from raw materials, as well as the proprietary production technology it has cultivated over many years. Based on these strengths, in October 2018, Sumitomo Chemical completed a new production line capable of producing 100,000 tons per year with significantly reduced raw material and utility losses. Taking the advantage of Sumitomo Chemical’s know-how as a diversified chemical company in handling specialized waste liquids and waste gas, this plant has been continuing full and stable productions under advanced environmental and safety measures and a quality-control system. Today, Sumitomo Chemical has decided to further strengthen its competitiveness by discontinuing production at the end of this September at one of its plant that is aged over 50 years and is experiencing less efficiency in production due to increasing maintenance costs, etc. and by renewing its production plans in other plants.

Sumitomo Chemical will work to contribute to ensuring a stable food supply globally by supplying its products to customers in about 90 countries around the world.