S36: Large Scale Fermentation Processes in the Context of Globally Distributed Production

Novozymes is a biotechnology company with a strong focus on enzyme production.  Microorganisms are effective producers of enzymes, and Novozymes exploits their productivity through submerged fed-batch fermentation of naturally occurring and recombinant enzymes in microbial hosts such as Bacillus licheniformis and Aspergillus oryzae.  As Novozymes’ business has grown substantially over the last decade, global production has become a key to competing in a global market.  Novozymes production is spread throughout the world, with production in Europe, Asia, North America, and South America.  Production of fermentation products in a global context presents many challenges, some obvious and some surprising.  Sourcing raw materials locally for global production often presents challenges in terms of providing consistent quality and comparable productivity from different locations.  As fermentation equipment has been obtained at different times over the last 5 decades and through different means (i.e. purchased for a green field plant, acquired through a merger), physical differences in the equipment leads to challenges for global production.  Regulatory requirements for different markets lead to challenges as well.  Climate differences in each location can lead to differences in processing conditions.  Cultural and communication issues are not the least of the challenges that are encountered.  Through each of these challenges, however, there are opportunities to learn about our products and processes, and through working together globally we gain more thorough understanding.