Evonik optimizes methanol supply for its methionine production network in Europe

Essen, Germany. As part of strengthening its long-term raw material strategy, Evonik has developed a new solution to secure the methanol supply needed for producing a methionine precursor at its Wesseling site. The concept was implemented together with Lülsdorf Functional Solutions GmbH, Röhm GmbH, and the experts for infrastructure from SYNEQT Pipelines. Building on existing infrastructure, the partners complemented it with a new long-distance pipeline between Lülsdorf and Wesseling, which went into operation in June 2026.

“This joint solution helps us in three ways: It secures the long-term methanol supply for our Wesseling site, it reduces Scope 3 emissions, and it opens the opportunity to buy green methanol in the future,” says Norbert Steier, head of Production and Technology for Evonik's Animal Nutrition business line. Evonik invested a high single-digit-million-euro amount in the project.

To make the new setup possible, Evonik and its partners are using shared regional storage and logistics infrastructure. Methanol is imported via Lülsdorf and transported directly to Wesseling through the new pipeline, ensuring a competitive and reliable supply for both Evonik and Röhm.

In the future, Evonik will use methanol based on natural gas. Its CO₂ footprint will be about 70 percent lower than that of the crude-oil-based methanol previously used by the company.

Evonik needs methanol for the production of methylmercaptopropionaldehyde (MMP). MMP from Wesseling is one of the starting materials for the production of MetAMINO® (DL‑methionine) at Evonik's Antwerp site in Belgium. The new methanol infrastructure strengthens the Animal Nutrition business line’s strategy to ensure long-term supply security for its customers through its three global methionine production hubs.

MetAMINO® is used in livestock production to feed animals healthily, efficiently, and sustainably. With its science-based approach, the Animal Nutrition business line develops products, services, and system solutions that help supply a growing world population with healthy, high-quality, and affordable animal protein.