Novozymes to expand operations in India

Denmark-based Novozymes will be establishing a new enzyme production facility near Mumbai on India’s west coast.

With an initial investment of approximately DKK 300 million (Rs. 300 crore) the company plans to establish a new enzyme production and supply chain plant that is expected to be ready for operation in 2018 and will employ 150 people in the first phase.

“We see a big opportunity in India and South-East Asia, where knowledge-based innovations in the field of industrial enzymes can effectively replace polluting chemical processes and deliver environmental sustainability,” said Thomas Videbæk, executive VP & COO, Research, Innovation & Supply at Novozymes.

Videbæk added: “Our business in the region has been growing strongly for years, to a point where we have outgrown current facilities and need to expand for the future. We have chosen the new area for its size, proximity to customers, future business opportunities and good accessibility to ports, airports, highways and other industrial infrastructure.”

The new plant will produce enzymes using solid state fermentation and will also formulate enzymes imported from Novozymes’ production sites outside India.

At present, the key business areas for Novozymes in India are the household care, textiles, food & beverages, oil & fats, baking, and beverage alcohol markets.

Two sites in India going forward

Novozymes has been present in India since 1983 and currently occupies three sites in Bangalore in India’s southern State of Karnataka.

The solid state fermentation and supply chain operations for the region will now move to the new production site near Mumbai, while all other functions will remain in Bangalore, including Novozymes’ Indian Head Office, Research & Development center and the service centers which provide support to global operations.

“We will maintain some of our key functions in Bangalore, which has proven to be a great base for pushing sustainable, biological solutions to India and beyond,” said Videbæk.

“From now on, we will have two main sites in the country, and as we discover more Asian opportunities for our solutions, we look forward to developing both our presence in Bangalore and Mumbai.”

The planned expansion has no impact on the company’s financial guidance for 2016.