October 4, 2006

Adisseo considers Hainan for new methionine plant

China's Hainan Provincial Development and Reform Department announced that French company Adisseo, the world's second largest methionine producer, is considering the province among possible sites for a methionine plant project.

Hainan, an island in the South China Sea, is China's southern-most province. Adisseo, which earlier this year was bought over by ChemChina's subsidiary the China BlueStar Group, is reportedly looking to invest RMB3.3 billion in the new methionine facility. The new plant is projected to produce 140,000 tonnes methionine a year worth RMB 6.6 billion.

Worldwide methionine consumption is currently at 500,000 tonnes. China relies mainly on imports to meet its methionine demand.

Other sites up for consideration include Tianjin, Nanjing, Anqin among five others. The decision on the location will be finalised by year end, with construction slated to begin end-2007.