March 14, 2014
Evonik builds plant for new methionine source for shrimp
Evonik Industries will build the world's first facility which will produce a new source of methionine for shrimp and other crustaceans in Antwerp, Belgium.
Aquavi® Met-Met is a new development from Evonik researchers to make shrimp aquaculture production more efficient and sustainable.
"We will initially offer Aquavi® Met-Met for use with shrimp and crustaceans. Use with other species will follow," says Dr Reiner Beste, head of Evonik's Health & Nutrition business unit. The new plant is set up in such a way that we will be able to provide our customers with a reliable supply of Aquavi® Met-Met in the future."
The investment volume is in the lower double-digit million-euro range.
Evonik executive board member and chief operating officer, Patrik Wohlhauser, says, "Aquavi® Met-Met is an ideal addition to our product portfolio for aquacultures and opens up new growth perspectives for Evonik. It strengthens our position as the leading supplier of feed additive amino acids for animal nutrition." The product is protected by a number of IP laws worldwide, including an application patent.
Aquavi® Met-Met is a dipeptide made up of two DL-methionine molecules. The dipeptide is far less water soluble than the individual molecules and, for this reason, does not wash out of the feed as quickly. The shrimp take in the methionine source and break it into two individual DL-methionine molecules during the digestive process. In this manner, DL-methionine and the rest of the nutrients in the feed are all available to the organism at the same time.
Tests show that only 0.5 kg of Aquavi® Met-Met is required to achieve the same growth per 1,000kg of shrimp feed as with 0.9 kg of DL-methionine. One Met-Met molecule, therefore, is just as effective as 3.6 molecules of DL-methionine.
The main cost factor in shrimp production is feed costs, which comprise as much as 80% of total costs and has been increasing in past years. Aquavi® Met-Met significantly reduces the consumption of scarce fish meal in shrimp farming. At the same time, it helps water purity by reducing the amount of waste produced by the animals through an optimal supply of methionine. The shrimp stays healthier and there is less strain on the environment.
With Aquavi® Met-Met, Evonik expects dynamic growth into the future. Evonik currently supplies MetAMINO® and DL-Methionine for AquacultureTM, making it a global market leader for feed amino acids for fish feed, especially in the salmonid feed segment (salmon, trout).
According to Evonik estimates, the production of shrimp and crustaceans in aquaculture will rise to seven million tonnes in 2015, creating a turnover of approximately €50 billion (US$69.31 billion). The largest customers for Aquavi® Met-Met are predominantly located in Asia, specifically Thailand and China as well as Mexico and the South and Central American regions. Most of them produce feed for fish and crustaceans and had obtained amino acids from Evonik.
Owing to demographic growth, increasing affluence, and overfishing in the world's oceans, the aquaculture market is growing at 6% per annum and therefore faster than other segments of animal production. It is expected that by 2015, 50% of edible meat from fish, crustaceans and shellfish will come from aquaculture.
