12/13/2010 --- Danisco, one of the world’s top food ingredient and enzyme companies, will obtain European Investment Bank (EIB) funding of EUR 120 m for research, development and innovation investments.

Under the terms of the loan agreement, signed at Danisco’s head office in Copenhagen, the EIB will lend up to EUR 120 m to part-finance investments at corporate research and innovation centres predominantly in Denmark, Finland, the United Kingdom and France. The company is one of the world’s top three in food ingredients and the second largest producer of industrial enzymes. Regarded as one of the sector’s most innovative firms ranked by the proportion of new products as a share of total sales, Danisco’s research is in line with the objectives of the European Union’s “food for life” platform under the 7th framework programme. These objectives include developing an environmentally friendly production and distribution chain.

The loan will part-finance Danisco research and innovation from 2010 to 2014.

“The EIB is delighted to support this important research, development and innovation (RDI) programme with Danisco, one of Europe’s most successful companies in the knowledge economy, which is key to Europe's competitiveness and long-term economic growth,. The operation we are signing will improve the quality and safety of food. It aims to contribute to the company’s more efficient use of raw materials in food production and limit losses in food production,” says Plutarchos Sakellaris, EIB Vice-President with responsibility for Denmark.

“As a world leader in food ingredients, enzymes and bio-based solutions Danisco very much appreciates the EIB support reflected by this loan. Danisco is more dedicated than ever to addressing global challenges through research and development. The dramatic increase in the world's population is far reaching in terms of food reliability, access to reliable energy supplies and climate change complexities. We need to adopt a more sustainable way of life and this loan supports Danisco's efforts to bring new products and solutions to the market," says Tom Knutzen, CEO, Danisco A/S.

The mission of the EIB, the European Union’s bank, is to contribute to the integration, balanced development and economic and social cohesion of the EU Member States by financing sound investments. The European Investment Bank is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, whose shareholders are the 27 Member States. This loan is one of many supporting the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and its four priorities: sustainable environment; regional prosperity; increased accessibility and attractiveness; safety and security.