China's first methionine plant will be put into operation soon, ending the country's dependence on imports of the important supplement used in animal feed additive.

The plant in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, is a joint venture by China National BlueStar Co Ltd and its fully owned French subsidiary Adisseo Group.

The factory, owned by Bluestar Adisseo Nanjing Co Ltd, or Adistar, will have an annual production capacity of 70,000 metric tons in the initial stage.