Novonesis to invest US$704.8M in advanced enzyme production facility in India

INDIA – Novonesis has unveiled plans to invest over ₹6,660 Crores (US$704.8) to expand its existing industrial site in Patalganga, Maharashtra, building one of the world’s most advanced enzyme manufacturing plants.

The major capital expenditure represents a pivotal milestone in the company’s long-term growth strategy, significantly scaling up its global capacity to meet surging worldwide demand for biological solutions while bolstering the flexibility and resilience of its international supply network.

Scheduled to become fully operational by 2030, the next-generation manufacturing hub will produce high-performance enzymes tailored for a wide spectrum of essential industries, including biofuels, household care, animal feed, and food and beverages.

By embedding the facility into Novonesis’ integrated global footprint, the Denmark-headquartered group aims to bring commercial production closer to high-growth emerging markets across South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, where industrial demand for sustainable bio-processing is expanding faster than in developed economies.

Company leadership emphasized that the landmark investment reinforces Novonesis’ commitment to executing its corporate strategy and delivering long-term shareholder value.

Ester Baiget, President and CEO of Novonesis, highlighted that scaling local manufacturing capabilities strengthens customer support while accelerating the global transition toward sustainable biological alternatives.

Operating executives further noted that the Patalganga expansion aligns with India’s BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy, positioning the enterprise to support the nation’s bioeconomy and net-zero carbon transition actively.

In alignment with Novonesis’ global sustainability targets, the new Patalganga facility is engineered with eco-efficient industrial architecture to optimize resource consumption.

The plant will incorporate advanced freshwater recycling loops to minimize water extraction alongside integrated industrial heat pumps to drastically reduce energy demands.

These measures are designed to significantly curb Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions, serving as an operational benchmark for sustainable bio-manufacturing.

The India expansion joins recent capital projects across Thailand, China, Brazil, and the United States, cementing Novonesis’ position as an essential supplier for the global bio-based economy.

The transaction will see Novonesis acquire the remaining 77% stake, building on its initial investment in MicroBioGen in 2013 and a decade-long partnership that produced yeast technologies including the Innova series. 

The investment follows another major expansion of Novonesis’ Asian production footprint earlier this year.

In April, the company agreed to acquire a production facility in Rayong, Thailand, for around US$50 million to strengthen its fermentation capabilities and supply customers in Southeast Asia and global markets.

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