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This report covers the major amino acids used
in animal feed throughout the world—methionine, lysine, threonine and
tryptophan. Although the report discusses nonfeed uses, the main focus is on
animal feed use. Methionine and lysine are the dominant amino acids used in
animal feed, and recently, threonine and tryptophan (at much lower volumes)
have experienced high growth in animal feed use.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are vitally important components
of all living organisms. Amino acids for protein formation can be obtained
directly (as such) by living organisms from the proteins in their diets; some
can also be synthesized in vivo by some organisms from nitrogenous and other
chemicals in their food supply.
There are over forty known amino acids, about twenty of which are actually
contained in animal tissues. Ten of these are commonly recognized as being “essential” for
monogastric (single-stomached) animals such as humans, poultry and swine; that
is, they must be included in the diets of these species. Of these ten, only
methionine and lysine have historically had commercial markets substantial
enough to justify their synthesis and manufacture in large volume by the chemical
industry—well over 90% of both products is used to supplement feed rations
for poultry and swine. In the last several years, however, increasing attention
has been focused on tryptophan and threonine for feed use, with new production
capacity resulting.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of the major amino acids discussed
in the report (the volume of tryptophan consumed is negligible as a percentage
of the total):
China has become the world’s largest lysine producing region, accounting
for 35% of the world’s lysine producing capacity. During the past few
years, Global Bio-Chem Technology Group Co., Ltd. in China has expanded lysine
production capacity, from 15 thousand metric tons to 100 thousand metric tons
per year (in early 2005), constructed protein lysine (65–70% lysine concentration)
plants with an annual production capacity of 140 thousand metric tons during
the past few years, and has become one of the largest lysine manufacturers
in the world. CJ (Liaocheng) Biotech Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of CJ (Cheil Jedang)
Group in the Republic of Korea, started production at its 100 thousand metric
ton-per-year lysine plant in June 2005.
In terms of consumption, China was the leading consuming country, with 20%
of global lysine demand, followed by the United States, with 17% of the total.
The world lysine market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.0–5.7%
from 2005 to 2010.
Only six major companies produce methionine worldwide. There are more than
a dozen minor methionine producers in China, and a few small producers in the
remainder of Asia. Three companies—Adisseo, Degussa AG and Novus International—account
for 76% of world methionine capacity on a combined basis. Of these three, only
Novus produces in a single country (the United States). Degussa has operations
in the United States, Germany, France and Belgium. Adisseo has plants in the
United States, France (two), and Spain, plus partial ownership of a methionine
plant in Russia. All three companies market and distribute product on a global
basis.
In 2005, the United States, Western Europe, Japan and China accounted for
97% of methionine production and 66% of consumption. The United States and
Western Europe remained the predominant exporters to the world. The world methionine
market is expected to continue to grow at a 4.6–5.3% per year rate during
2005–2010.
The main producers of threonine are Ajinomoto, with 54% of total global production
capacity, and Degussa (through Agroferm and Fermas), with 21% of the total.
Ajinomoto produces threonine at its plants in the United States and France,
while Degussa has production facilities in Hungary and Slovakia.
World production of feed-grade threonine was sharply up in 2005 from the 2001
level. Western Europe continues to be the leader in the threonine market, accounting
for 40% or more of world production and consumption. U.S. production follows
Western Europe, while the United States and Asia are almost equal in the level
of consumption.
The world threonine market is expected to continue to grow at rapid rates
from 2005 to 2010 (some industry sources estimate that the global market size
will reach 180–200 thousand metric tons by 2010).
The main tryptophan producer is Ajinomoto; the company is estimated to account
for about 70–80% of the world tryptophan market. Ajinomoto has production
plants in the United States and France. ADM also produces tryptophan in the
United States and there are twenty minor tryptophan producers in China, mainly
for the food and pharmaceutical markets.
World consumption of tryptophan grew from about one thousand metric tons in
2001 to slightly over 1.5 thousand metric tons in 2005. Western Europe was
the main consuming region, followed by the United States and Asia. The world
tryptophan market is expected to continue to grow at rapid rates from 2005
to 2010 (some industry sources estimate that the global market size will reach
5–6 thousand metric tons by 2010).
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