Denmark dominates food enzyme production

In the global enzymes market Danish firm Novozymes, with an approximate 45 per cent share, is the number one player.

But Danisco now follows behind the category leader, with Genencor bumping up its share of the market from about 2 per cent to 20 per cent, writes Danish financial daily newspaper Børsen​.

The article cites Steen Riisgaard, general manager at Novozymes, as saying Denmark's new dominance in enzymes will give "a really strong power house for development of biotechnology with enzymes up front, and with an unbelievable growth potential."​

In a €419 million deal announced​ this month, Danisco will buy Eastman Chemical's 42 per cent stake in the NASDAQ listed biotech company. Danisco already has a 42 per cent slice of the firm.

Brushing aside criticism of the move, Michael von Bülow, vice president communications and investor relations at Danisco asserts the acquisition fits snugly into the firm's strategy.

"We would like to expand our presence in biotechnology. This acquisition also gives us the opportunity to build on our enzyme knowledge,"​ he explained to FoodNavigator.com.

The market for enzymes, that reached over $2 billion (€1.53bn) in 2004, is currently showing timid growth, with new figures from BCC Communications predicting just 2 to 3 per cent growth to 2009.

Pitched at €10.97 billion in 2004, the global market for fermentation products, that includes enzymes, is expected to rise by 4.8 per cent per year, to reach €13.6 billion in 2009.