The plant, which is expected to be ready for business in 2018, will accommodate expansion at a time when business has seen strong sales growth in Asia. It will also improve Novozymes’ regional supply chain, its regional chief operating officer said.
“We see a big opportunity in India and Southeast Asia, where knowledge-based innovations in the field of industrial enzymes can effectively replace polluting chemical processes and deliver environmental sustainability,” says Thomas Videbæk.
“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.”
He added that the Patalganga site was chosen for its size, proximity to customers, future business opportunities and accessibility to ports, airports, highways and other industrial infrastructure.
The plant will produce enzymes using solid-state fermentation, and will also formulate enzymes imported from Novozymes’ production sites outside India.
The company first arrived in India in 1983 and currently occupies three sites in Bangalore. Its regional focus is on pectinase enzymes, which are used in the wine and juice industries to squeeze more juice from fruit and improve production processes. It also formulates other enzyme types in India to cater to local market needs.
Novozymes India’s solid-state fermentation and supply chain operations will now move to the new production site, while all other functions will remain in Karnataka, including the company’s Indian head office, research and development labs and service centres that 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.