China's Ziguang Natural Gas establishes methionine plant in Chongqing, Sichuan

China's Chongqing Ziguang Natural Gas Chemical (Methionine) Co Ltd, a joint-venture between Chongqing Ziguang Natural Gas Chemical Co Ltd and Tianjin Chemical Plant, has begun construction on its methionine plant on June 20 in Zhenjiang of Chongqing City, Sichuan.

With a total investment of RMB2 billion, the plant is designed to produce 60,000 tonnes of methionine annually. Once in production, it aims to achieve RMB3 billion in annual sales revenues and pre-tax profits of more than RMB500 million.

The first phase of production is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of next year while the overall construction of the plant is expected to be completed by 2011.

Chongqing Ziguang Natural Gas Chemical Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Chongqing Ziguang Chemical Co Ltd, was established in October 26, 2006. The company is known for its production of iminodiacetonitrile, which is widely used in farm chemicals, dye materials, pharmaceutical, synthetic resin and water treatment industries. It is also a producer of hydrocyanic acid, a main material for manufacturing methionine.