Novozymes moves forward in micro-organisms

Danish enzyme company Novozymes has increased its market share for industrial micro-organisms with the purchase of US company InterBio. On 1 July 2002, Novozymes took over the majority of the activities of InterBio, based in Texas.

The acquisition follows hot on the heels of previous purchases Sybron Biochemicals in July 2001 and George A. Jeffreys in June 2002. The combination of all three companies has furnished Novozymes with a generous slice, more than 50 per cent, of the growing market for industrial micro-organisms.

"InterBio's activities are well matched to those of Novozymes Biologicals and we are now large enough to be able to invest in major research. At the same time, we are expanding our customer base not just in the USA, but also in Europe, where the use of micro-organisms is now beginning to enjoy serious growth. InterBio's production activities can be integrated directly into Novozymes Biologicals and, as a result of the acquisition of George A. Jeffreys last month, we now have sufficiently large production capacity which we can utilise to the maximum,"​ said Ted Melnik, president of Novozymes Biologicals​.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. In 2001 ,InterBio had a turnover of DKr60 million (€8.07m). Ambitions in the Novozymes' camp are for turnover in the new business to grow organically by at least 10 per cent per annum. Novozymes claim that this will be achieved by developing new markets and new applications.