German specialty chemicals giant Evonik has launched Asia’s first alkoxide production plant on Jurong Island, a US$60 million (SGD$77.4 million) investment aimed at strengthening supply chains and supporting sustainable chemical manufacturing in the region.
Evonik Targets Asia Expansion with Alkoxide Plant
The new facility, which opened on August 27, is Evonik’s fourth alkoxide plant globally and its first in Asia, complementing existing sites in the US, Germany, and Argentina. Alkoxides, also known as sodium methylate, are key catalysts in biodiesel production and play critical roles in the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors.
The Singapore plant will primarily serve ASEAN markets, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia, which are major biodiesel producers. Unlike Evonik’s other alkoxide plants, the Jurong Island facility operates entirely on electricity, paving the way for future use of green energy and enabling net-zero Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions under the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
Strategic Location and Regional Impact
Evonik regional president Claus Rettig emphasized Singapore’s advantages, “Singapore also has better shipping access to Malaysia and Indonesia. It would be more expensive to ship from Indonesia to the country’s different islands than to ship it from here.”
The plant, covering 600 sq m, is expected to reach full capacity of 100 kilotonnes annually by 2026. It will also reduce Southeast Asia’s reliance on China and Saudi Arabia for alkoxide imports.
Industry Significance and Future Plans
Specialty chemicals like alkoxides account for SGD$5 billion, or one-fifth of Singapore’s energy and chemicals industry, the nation’s second-largest manufacturing sector. Evonik aims to increase Asia’s share of its revenue from 25% to 33% by 2032, with Singapore, China, and India forming the core of its regional strategy.
The company also plans two additional projects in Japan and China by the end of 2025 and recently opened a research hub in Mumbai, India.
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Claus Rettig
Regional President
Evonik
Claus Rettig, President Asia Pacific and Associated Member of the Executive Board at Evonik AG, is based in Singapore and oversees the company’s entire Asian operations. He holds general power of attorney and plays a key role in driving Evonik’s regional growth strategy as the company strengthens its presence in Asia.
Rettig has been with Evonik for nearly two decades, holding leadership roles across Germany, Japan, and South Africa. His career spans positions such as Chairman of the Board of Management at Evonik Resource Efficiency GmbH and President of Consumer Specialties. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Max Planck Institute.