Novozymes and Chr. Hansen have merged, creating a new global biosolutions company – Novonesis.
The combined group will operate a global network of R&D and application centres as well as manufacturing sites. The newly formed business has 10,000 employees around the world, working in more than 30 different industries.
Half of the portfolio will focus on enabling healthier lives and producing better foods. The other half will address reducing chemical use and targeting climate neutral practices.
Novonesis CEO and president, Ester Baiget says, “Novonesis combines our joint strengths and the wonders of biology, and we are set to lead a new era of biosolutions.
“We will innovate and develop transformative biosolutions that improve the way we all produce, consume and live.
“We have gathered the brightest minds and together we will unlock the limitless potential of biosolutions.”
Novonesis country manager, Kylie Evans, says that combined, the companies will be leveraging over a century of combined enzymatic and microbial expertise.
“The combination of these two market-leading companies aspires to unlock biology’s full potential. Importantly, our commitment to the Australian food and beverage industry remains unchanged. We will continue to support our customers wherever they are.
“Our transformative biosolutions toolkit, encompassing cultures and enzymes, combined with our technical expertise and support network, enable our customers to create products with great taste, texture and health benefits, while unlocking yield improvements and process optimisation. All without artificial ingredients,” Evans says.
The combined group will have an annual revenue of around 3.7 billion euro (AU$6 billion).
Novonesis chair Cees de Jong says, “Together, we will serve as a growth partner to our customers; a value creator to our shareholders; and a company that has a significant, positive impact on society and the planet.
“Novonesis builds on a shared heritage of sustainability leadership and will keep leading the way.”
Evans said, “For the local dairy market, our broad range will help create a signature flavour and texture naturally, optimise health and shelf life, improve whey quality, and get more from less milk in a cost-efficient way.
“A wide range of food cultures are available to create salami and BioProtective cultures for meat and prepared foods. Texture, flavour and consistency may be improved in plant-based foods and dairy alternatives.
“We can support customers develop baked goods that taste and look great, and stay fresh throughout shelf-life. While in beverage we can help craft and protect flavour and aroma in beer and wine, and improve yield, clarity, stability, and colour in juice.”
Process and yield optimisation across grain and starch and oils and fat processing can be achieved, all without artificial ingredients.
What’s in a name
The name Novonesis has origin in science’s classical roots, the company said.
‘Genesis’ is Greek for ‘origin’ or ‘beginning’. By choosing a word with a root in Greek the name honours how ancient Greek thinkers (from Pythagoras to Aristotle) played a key role in the development of science as we know it today.
‘Novo’ means new. The Novo name is globally associated with strong science capabilities, a purpose driven mindset, a Nordic heritage as well as a great societal contributor. These are all assets and values that are shared by the future combined company.
At a glance
A global network of more than 23 manufacturing sites and close to 40 R&D and application centres that employs around 10,000 people.
Committed to carbon neutrality by 2050, a 75 per cent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its own operations by 2030, and a 35 per cent reduction in scope 3 emissions from its full supply chain by 2030.
Target of a 45-45 per cent gender balance across all professional and senior management roles by 2030.
This article first appeared in the April/May 2024 edition of Food & Drink Business Magazine.
