Novozymes

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Novozymes A/S
Type Public (OMXNZYM B)
Founded 1923
Headquarters Bagsværd, Denmark
Key people Henrik Gürtler, Chairman
Steen Riisgaard, President & CEO
Industry Biotechnology
Products Enzymes
Microorganisms
Revenue DKK 7,438 million (2007)
Operating income DKK 1,481 million (2007)
Net income DKK 1,042 million (2007)
Employees Approx. 5,000 (2007)
Website http://www.novozymes.com

Novozymes (OMXNZYM B) is a biotech-based company and the world’s largest producer of industrial enzymes and microorganisms, with a market share of approximately 47% for enzymes and 30-40% for microorganisms (2007)[1]. The company’s products are used in more than 40 different industries to improve industrial processes and quality and save on water, energy, raw materials and waste. Novozymes markets approximately 700 different products worldwide.

Novozymes is headquartered in Denmark and employs approximately 5,000 people in 30 countries. Novozymes A/S’ B shares are listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange.

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[edit] Business areas

Novozymes’ business is divided into three main areas: Enzymes for industrial use, Microorganisms and Biopharmaceutical ingredients accounting for respectively 93%, 4% and 3% of sales (2007). Novozymes invested 13% of sales in research and development in 2007.

[edit] Enzymes

Enzymes are divided into the following categories:

  • Detergent enzymes. For use in laundry detergents and automatic dish washing machines.
  • Technical enzymes. The most important products in this business area are enzymes for the starch, textile and bioethanol industries, as well as enzymes for the leather and forest products industries and various other smaller industries.
  • Food enzymes. Food enzymes include products for the baking, brewing, beverage alcohol, fruit juice and wine industries, and other food industries such as the dairy industry and the oils & fats industry.
  • Feed enzymes. Includes enzymes for the animal feed industries.

[edit] Microorganisms

The Microorganisms business area includes microorganisms for institutional and household cleaning, wastewater treatment, aquaculture, plant care etc.

[edit] Biopharmaceutical ingredients

Biopharmaceutical ingredients comprise protein based solutions for the biopharmaceutical industry. Specific activities relates to the Novozymes subsidiaries Novozymes Delta, Novozymes GroPep, Novozymes Biopharma and a research project within recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA).

[edit] Ownership

The Novozymes A share capital is held by Novo A/S, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. In addition, Novo A/S holds 5,826,280 B shares, which overall gives Novo A/S 25.5% of the total share capital and 70.1% of the votes.

Novozymes A/S' B shares are listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange (CSE) and are traded under the abbreviated name NZYM B and the ID code/ISIN DK0010272129. The B shares are issued in units of DKK 10.

Each A share carries the right to cast one hundred votes at the company's shareholders' meeting, each B share the right to cast ten votes.

[edit] Timeline

  • 1923 Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium (later Nordisk Gentofte) founded.
  • 1925 Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium (later Novo Industri) founded.
  • 1941 Novo launches its first enzyme, trypsin, extracted from the pancreas of animals and used to soften leather.
  • 1963 Alcalase – Novo’s first detergent enzyme produced by fermentation.
  • 1984 Launch of Maltogenase for the starch industry. The world’s first enzyme for industrial use produced by genetically modified organisms.
  • 1989 Novo Industri A/S and Nordisk Gentofte A/S merge to become the world’s leading producer of insulin.
  • 2000 Novo Nordisk is split into three separate companies operating under the umbrella of the Novo Group: Novo A/S, Novo Nordisk A/S, and Novozymes A/S. Initial offering of Novozymes shares: DKK 150. Revenue (turnover) in year 2000: DKK 5,033 million.
  • 2001 Novozymes launch a new business strategy, expanded to include initiatives outside the core enzyme business.
  • 2003 Novozymes buys five smaller companies to form microorganisms business.
  • 2007 Novozymes forms new Biopharmaceutical Ingredients business unit based on the acquisitions of three smaller companies.
  • 2007 Novozymes share price at year-end: DKK 582.

[edit] References and footnotes

[edit] External links

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