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German company Evonik’s new production plant for specialty chemicals alkoxides – its first in Asia – opened on Jurong Island on Aug 27 | PHOTO: EVONIK

The Evonik Jurong Island alkoxide facility is a world-scale specialty chemicals plant located on Jurong Island, Singapore, The facility was officially opened on August 27, 2025 following a US$60 million investment and represents the first world-scale alkoxide production plant in Asia and the largest in Southeast Asia.

The plant operates with a nameplate capacity of 100,000 metric tons per year producing sodium methylate solution in methanol, primarily serving the Asia-Pacific biodiesel, pharmaceutical, and chemical recycling markets. The facility is designated as a SMART Plant (Sodium Methylate Advanced Recompression Technology) and pioneered Evonik's first all-electric alkoxide production configuration, eliminating steam requirements, and delivering 40-60 percent energy reduction versus conventional alkoxide processes.

The facility occupies approximately 600 square meters within Evonik's existing Jurong Island industrial complex, which also houses major methionine production plants, and employs 13 operational staff working three shifts from a centralized control room. Construction was completed on schedule and on budget between June 2023 and August 2025, with full production capacity targeted for 2026.

The plant completes Evonik's global alkoxide production network spanning four continents and strategically positions the company to serve growing ASEAN biodiesel demand while reducing regional reliance on alkoxide imports from China and Saudi Arabia.