CJ Bio’s Shenyang plant to switch from valine to isoleucine in Q2

CJ Bio’s Shenyang plant is to switch from valine to the production of other specialty amino acids, mainly isoleucine, the company told Feedinfo at VIV Asia in Bangkok. Production at CJ Bio’s amino acid plant in Shenyang, Liaoning province, resumed in late January.

“We will be manufacturing isoleucine instead as there are fewer producers in the market supplying this amino acid. We expect to be able to produce isoleucine in Shenyang from Q2 onwards,” said Paul Chun, Manager BIO ANH — Global Marketing at CJ Bio.

Commenting on valine, he said the supply shortage is ongoing but the market is strong. He argued that the worst is over for the valine market as there are other suppliers, and weather conditions in general are improving, which should result in stronger overall demand.

Discussing CJ’s other ongoing amino acid factory expansions, Chun said the 10,000 tonne/year tryptophan capacity increase in Piracicaba, Brazil, will come online in April. Once completed, the new line will bring CJ Bio’s global tryptophan capacity to 50,000 tonnes/year.

At the Brazil site, CJ Bio is also completing a 27,000 tonne/year Thr Pro threonine expansion. This is expected to be online in May or June, Chun said. Thr Pro is an 80% active granular source of L-threonine, with residual biomass.

Chun said that, as of now, no other amino acid expansions are in the pipeline for 2024-2025. The company will be mainly focused on production flexibility and developing customised solutions.

Commenting on the effects of China’s reopening on the lysine market, Chun said the real impact will likely be felt in Q2 and Q3. “High demand in China can be expected for the coming quarters,” he said.

By Simon Duke, editor-in-chief