Enzyme Business

Enzyme Business sales were DKK 9,109 million, up by 17% compared to 2009. Sales in LCY were up by 12%, with divestments of noncore activities in India in 2009 having a small negative impact on sales growth. Detergent, technical, and food enzymes were the strongest growth contributors in the period.

The global enzyme market grew in 2010 to a total market value of approximately DKK 19 billion, up from DKK 16 billion in 2009. All segments of the market grew in 2010, but the detergent and biofuel enzyme segments were the main drivers behind the market growth. The industry did not see any major new entrants to the market in 2010, and there was no change in the overall competitive position between the existing players. Novozymes’ global market share of 47% was unchanged. 

Detergent enzymes

Detergent enzyme sales increased by 18% in DKK and by 15% in LCY compared to 2009. The strong growth was driven by increased enzyme penetration across detergent tiers to enhance wash performance, enable low-temperature washing, and replace traditional chemicals in detergent formulations.

Technical enzymes

Technical enzyme sales increased by 18% in DKK and by 12% in LCY compared to 2009. Most industries in the technical enzyme group contributed to the growth, with many of the smaller industries showing growth. Enzyme sales to the textile industry bounced back after a challenging 2009, while the strong growth in enzyme sales to the starch industry was driven by greater demand from emerging markets.

Enzyme sales to the ethanol industry, representing 19% of Novozymes’ total sales, were up by 25% in DKK and by 19% in LCY compared to 2009. Favorable blending economics and exports kept US ethanol demand and production at a high level during most of 2010. In the European market, ethanol enzyme sales continued to show good growth, although the market is small compared to North America.

Food enzymes

Food enzyme sales increased by 18% in DKK and by 13% in LCY compared to 2009. The divestment of noncore ingredient activities in India in 2009 reduced food enzyme sales growth by around 1 %-point. Higher demand, particularly for baking and brewing enzymes for enhanced quality, performance, and yields, was the main driver behind the growth. For the brewing industry in particular, it should be remembered that 2009 was a relatively easy comparison. Newly introduced products in the food industry continued to contribute positively to growth.

Feed enzymes

Feed enzyme sales were up by 6% in DKK and flat in LCY compared to 2009. Although phytase enzyme sales stabilized in the latter part of 2010, a competitive European phytase enzyme market put pressure on sales during the year. RONOZYME^® ProAct, a feed enzyme increasing protein uptake in poultry, performed very well during its first year on the European market and continued to deliver strong growth in emerging markets.