Degussa strengthens activities in China

Degussa Fine Chemicals, a business unit of Degussa AG, of Germany, has begun construction of a new plant, in Wuming, southern China, for the production of 350 tonnes/year of the amino acid L-methionine. Production is due to start in the first quarter of 2004. Nanning Only Time Rexim Pharmaceuticals – the pharmaceutical intermediates joint venture established between Degussa Fine Chemicals and Nanning Only Time Pharmaceuticals in April 2001 – will operate the plant, which will create about 30 jobs.

Degussa, through its subsidiary Rexim, owns 95% of the joint venture. 'ln the new plant we will produce L-methionine using enzymatic resolution in a very attractive market environment,' said Dr Peter Nagler, president of the Fine Chemicals business unit. 'This plant will strengthen our position in L-methionine as well as our presence in the growing Asian region.'

The L-methionine plant is Degussa's second plant under construction in China in two years. Nanning Only Time Rexim Pharmaceuticals is also building a cGMP purification plant that can process 500t/y of amino acids for parenteral solutions. This plant will start up in mid-2003.