Jobs in Singapore: “How I came to run the world’s largest methionine facility on Singapore’s Jurong Island”

Evonik Industries AG is a German specialty chemicals company that develops and manufactures a wide range of products used for nutrition, healthcare, and smart materials. The company entered Singapore in 1969 and has continued expanding, becoming one of the largest players in Singapore’s energy and chemicals industry, which makes up 3% of our GDP. Evonik now has over 700 employees in Singapore.

1. Tell us what methionine is in a nutshell, and what it's used for.

It might not be commonly known, but methionine is an essential amino acid used in animal feed. It improves the efficiency of feed and reduces the environmental impact of animal waste. MetAMINO, the product that Evonik makes on Jurong Island, is sold to industry customers in Asia and further afield.

2. What do you do at Evonik?

I’m the site manager and managing director of the Southeast Asian arm of Evonik. This means I oversee both the manufacturing and business operations of our methionine production complex in Singapore. On the manufacturing side, my focus is on ensuring that our two plants run safely, efficiently, and sustainably, producing high-quality methionine that meets the needs of our customers across Asia. On the business side, I’m responsible for managing the company’s finances, leading our local teams, and aligning our operations with Evonik’s global animal nutrition strategy, which emphasises efficient feed solutions, sustainable production and global supply reliability.

This dual role enables me to connect strategic priorities with day-to-day operations, ensuring that decisions are both forward-looking and grounded in practical execution. By integrating site leadership with commercial oversight, I can respond effectively to regional dynamics and strengthen Evonik’s footprint in Southeast Asia. This combination of operational excellence and strategic planning contributes directly to our long-term success in the animal nutrition sector.

Beyond daily operations, I also look at how we can grow the business — whether that’s through expanding capacity, improving efficiency, or developing new partnerships in the region. A big part of my job is building a strong, safety-first culture and empowering my teams to take ownership of their projects and collaborate openly.

3. You’ve been at Evonik for more than 12 years now. Why did you first choose to join Evonik, and what led you to stay on with the company for so long?

In 2013, after two decades of experience in various roles within the chemical manufacturing sector, I joined Evonik. My role as Assistant Plant Manager was to commission and start up one of Evonik's intermediate plants in the country. Intermediate plants produce raw materials or chemicals that will be further processed in a separate plant to form the final consumer product.

At the start, it was both challenging and rewarding to unite employees from diverse backgrounds around shared goals. I contributed to staff training, created standard operating procedures, established site rules, and ensured compliance across our operations. Evonik then selected me for the company’s talent management programme, and as part of it, I completed my MBA at the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS), in partnership with the University of Bradford, UK, where I graduated as the Gold Medalist in my cohort.

In 2021, I relocated to Mobile, Alabama in the U.S. to manage Evonik’s animal nutrition facility there. My move as Manufacturing Director of the facility was delayed by COVID-19, but I’m glad that it happened – the four years I spent in the U.S. have given me a broader strategic perspective and deepened my commitment to the company. I returned to Singapore in June 2025.

4. What was life like in Mobile, Alabama and how did your family adjust to this change? Was it challenging to readjust back to life in Singapore later on?

This move came during the mid-to-late stage of my career and brought with it significant personal challenges. My wife had to pause her professional career, my son had to adjust to a new education system midway through secondary school, and my daughter had to remain in Singapore to complete her university studies. Navigating these transitions required patience, resilience, and the unwavering support of my family, colleagues, and the company.

Life in Mobile, Alabama was a unique experience for our family. We had to adapt to many aspects of daily life that are uncommon in Singapore — such as hurricane preparedness, tornado alerts, lawn maintenance, and weekly rubbish disposal, most of which we handled ourselves due to the high cost of handyman services. My son earned his driving license at 16 and drove himself to school, which was a new milestone for us. My wife completed her MBA at the University of South Alabama, including an internship at Airbus in Mobile.

Adjusting to the strong Southern accent was another challenge; until I moved back, I often struggled to place orders at fast food restaurants. Despite these hurdles, we came to appreciate Mobile’s rich history, vibrant downtown, and proximity to natural beauty. In contrast, adjusting back to Singapore was easy, though the one thing I struggled with was to regain my skills in parallel parking. The parking lots in Mobile are very big!

5. What are some career and life lessons you’d share with young professionals who are seeking career growth?

Learn continuously and stay relevant. Be open to feedback, seek mentorship, and put a premium on collaboration and open communication to create a cohesive but high-performing work team.

Also, focus on identifying your core strengths and passions, and take time to understand the full scope of your field. Learn what skills are needed for the roles you aspire to explore, and actively work to close any gaps. Seek internships in order to gain real world experience while studying. Upskilling not only strengthens your capabilities, but also signals your commitment to growth.

In Singapore, we’re fortunate to have access to many opportunities for skills development, so make full use of these resources. Finally, reflect regularly on what energises you in your work, what you’ve learnt, and how those experiences can shape your next steps. This clarity will help you build a career that aligns with your values and aspirations.

6. How has the chemical manufacturing industry changed over the years? What makes it an exciting field to be in right now, and why should Singaporeans consider it?

Energy powers our everyday lives, and chemicals are the building blocks of many of our daily necessities, like in food or medicines. Enhancing the way they're produced unlocks new potential for both technological advancement and environmental stewardship.

Automation and digital technologies have transformed the chemical manufacturing industry, improving safety, efficiency, and process reliability. Tools such as digital control systems, advanced process optimisation software, real-time monitoring, and data analytics help increase yield, reduce waste, and enhance transparency across operations. At Evonik, we are actively leveraging these technologies through our digitalisation initiatives to optimise processes and drive efficiency and transparency in production.

At the same time, the large scale of commodity chemical production means it consumes significant energy and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainability has therefore become a central focus, with companies adopting green chemistry principles, renewable feedstocks, and circular economy practices. Upgrading and transforming the industry with innovative technologies will help us achieve our sustainability targets. Evonik is advancing this shift by developing bio-based products and sustainable solutions across our portfolio, while aligning our operations with global climate goals.

Singapore is a vibrant energy and chemicals hub. Here, innovations in advanced manufacturing intersect with global supply chain networks. Combined with the government’s strong commitment to sustainability, this creates a dynamic environment for shaping the future of the industry.