Cargill and Novozymes join forces to generate acrylic acid from readily-available sugars

It was announced today that Cargill and Novozymes will jointly develop technology to produce acrylic acid using the fermentation of a renewable resource (glucose or other readily-available carbohydrate sources). The project is supported by $1.5 mio matching funds from the US Department of Energy.

The work involves the fermentation of sugar in the presence of a bio-engineered micro-organism to produce 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HPA). The 3-HPA can then be converted into a range of valuable chemicals including acrylic acid, which is a valuable, high volume chemical used in plastics, fiber, coatings, paints, inks and super-absorbent diapers (disposable nappies). In paper chemicals it finds use in water soluble polymers, flocculants, retention aids, coating binders etc

Currently, most acrylic acid is produced in the petrochemical industry by oxidation of propylene, a C-3 fraction from the refining of crude oil. More than half of the produced acrylic acid is used to make glacial acrylic acid for superabsorbents used in products such as diapers. This new approach from Cargill and Novozymes will not rely on crude oil but will move into the hotly debated area of using what is potentially a food source to generate chemicals (using food materials to generate bio-fuels is where most of the current debate exists as although it is an option to move away from the reliance on non-renewable crude oil, there has been an impact on world food prices).

Novozymes buys Indian Biocon for USD 102 mio

The Danish enzymes maker Novozymes AS has agreed to buy the enzymes business of India’s Biocon Limited for the rupee equivalent of USD 102 million (DKK 551 million).

Biocon is one of India's leading biotechnology companies, specialising in biopharmaceuticals, contract research, clinical research and enzymes. The company also has interests in the application of enzymes in the pulp and paper industry, although this is not the prime business reason for Novozymes making the acquisition.

As stated in the Novozymes press release, "India is an attractive market for Novozymes. There has been strong growth in the Indian enzyme market in the past years driven by macro economic developments. Enzyme use is still in its infancy, but growing awareness of enzyme potential and benefits make for attractive growth perspectives. The expected growth in the Indian enzyme market is more than 15% p.a. over the next 10 years."

Biocon and Novozymes´ current Indian business units are based in Bangalore, India and it is expected that 150 employees are expected to join Novozymes from Biocon. The transaction is expected to be completed by October 2007.

Novozymes reach agreement with Kenya to exploit biodiversity

There is an ongoing search for novel biochemicals and a report by ABC Money indicates that Novozymes has reached agreement with the government of Kenya to exploit their microbial diversity in developing new enzymes for application in industries which include pulp and paper.

The agreement covers an R&D programme and the rights for Novozymes to exploit the microbial diversity in Kenya's protected areas. This has been a controvertial topic, as Kenya is currently seeking compensation from Danisco's Genencor for supposedly profiting from enzymes originating from two Rift Valley lakes without official permission.