CJ Cheiljedang aims for greater share of US lysine market

South Korean producer, CJ Cheiljedang, is aiming for global dominance of the lysine market with a new 100,000 ton capacity facility for the feed amino acid in the US.

The company has ploughed $320 million into the new lysine plant, which is based in Iowa and was officially opened last week, reports Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

Cargill will provide the plant with starch sweetener, essential for lysine production.

"Starting with an Indonesian factory with a capacity of 100,000 tons in 1991, (CJ's) lysine business has made a leap to become the global leader by completing construction of a 100,000 ton factory here," said CJ Group CEO Sohn Kyung-sik at the unveiling ceremony.

ADM, Ajinomoto, and Evonik currently hold sway in the US lysine market, with 450,000 tons of the feed additive bought up last year.