Recent developments
Amino acids market
Evonik Q1 2026 results highlighted customer pre-buying and higher methionine prices amid Middle East-related cost and route disruptions, while confirming full-year EBITDA guidance.
Energy and ammonia
BASF's Verbund model delivered longstanding efficiency but showed fragility when 2022 gas spikes made European ammonia uneconomic, triggering curtailments and restructuring at Ludwigshafen. The response includes restructuring in Europe and expansion of the Zhanjiang Verbund to reduce exposure to volatile energy inputs.
Enzymes for nutrition
IFF launched a regional fermentation-based enzyme production hub in Latin America and a Brazil application lab, targeting animal nutrition alongside brewing, biofuels, and home care. Evonik is adding downstream fermentation and processing capabilities at its Fermas site in Slovakia, expanding bioprocess capacity relevant to fermentation-derived ingredients used across pharma, personal care, and animal nutrition.
Acids and preservatives
BASF increases selling prices for formic acid in Europe by €250/MT, affecting feed acidification, silage preservation, and drinking-water hygiene programs.
Fertilizer supply plans
Petrobras approved resuming construction of the UFN III nitrogen fertilizers unit in Três Lagoas, targeting 2,200 t/d ammonia and 3,600 t/d urea by 2029 to serve crop and livestock markets.
Specialty nutrition trends
Symrise reported Q1 2026 organic sales slightly lower overall, with Taste, Nutrition & Health up 1.7% driven by Food & Beverage and Pet Food, while Pet Nutrition declined slightly; full-year growth and margin guidance was reaffirmed.