The total value of its R&D pipeline is now estimated to be in the lower single-digit billion-euro range – a figure that is expected to continue growing over the next few years. Already established as world leader in the biotechnological production of amino acids for the animal feed industry, Evonik has ambitious goals – to be the best in innovation.

"Our innovation campaign is bearing fruit,” said Klaus Engel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik Industries at a press conference in Essen. “The constant flow of new products, applications, and business models is a major driver of profitable growth at Evonik. Innovations are to make an even larger contribution to sales and profit going forward." In the medium term, Evonik aims for products and applications developed in the last five-year to account for over 16 percent of sales. Currently, they make up around 10 percent of sales.

Growth areas in sight

Evonik plans to focus on concepts from biotechnology and bioeconomy. According to Evonik Chief Innovation Officer Ulrich Küsthardt, growth areas such as sustainable nutrition, healthcare solutions as well as cosmetic solutions should net the company more than €1 billion euros in additional sales. ´The projects processed in these areas have very different focuses. The project centre “Medical Devices” is working on biodegradable composite materials, which in the future could replace metal implants for bone fractures. They consist of polymers that the body will degrade naturally and substances, which occur naturally in the bone. While implants made of metal usually remain in the body or have to be removed in additional surgical procedures, Evonik’s new composite materials are absorbed by the body gradually once the bone healing process has taken place.

World market leaders in innovation

The Essen-based chemical industrial group has made a name for itself with the biotechnological production of amino acids for the animal feed industry and has become a world leader in the field. In 2015, more than half of the fish, crustaceans and shellfish consumed globally are farmed in aquacultures. They are fed fishmeal as a protein sources which is a significant cost to farmers. Scientists are now supplementing the feed with amino acids to reduce the proportion of fishmeal in feeds. Because crustaceans and shellfish have different metabolisms to fish, Evonik has developed a product especially for them. The new fishmeal-free feed can be better metabolised by the organisms than the pellet alternatives they previously received.

Crustaceans and shellfish go veggie

Evonik’s new dipeptide of Methioninmolekülen is insoluble in water and is therefore not as quickly leached from the lining. This increases the efficiency and sustainability of shrimp farming. The product has already been registered as a feed additive in many countries, with more to follow says Evonik.

"With this new product we're extending our range of feed amino acids for animal nutrition to include another speciality with high value for our customers,” says Dr Reiner Beste, chairman of the board of management of Evonik Nutrition & Care GmbH.

The first production plant for the new product has already been built in Antwerp and now the company is starting the production phase.“We want to be the most innovative company in the world,” Küsthardt said emphasising the company’s ambitions.