Danisco CEO to Environment Leaders: Act Now to Push Industry on Climate Change

Tom Knutzen says, whether or not a clear agreement is forged in Copenhagen, industry is prepared to significantly reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact.

7 Dec 2009 --- CEO of Danisco A/S, Tom Knutzen, says the urgency of climate change requires the world’s environmental leaders to work toward setting ambitious sustainability targets at the United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen (COP15).

“The climate crisis also brings great opportunity – now is the time to act. Technologies to mitigate industrial climate impacts are available, with advanced breakthroughs on the horizon. Yet, to fully tap this vast potential, industry needs clear political objectives and legislative mandates to adapt their business strategies and further drive clean technologies, develop environmentally beneficial products and increase their operational efficiencies,” says Tom Knutzen.

Tom Knutzen says, whether or not a clear agreement is forged in Copenhagen, industry is prepared to significantly reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact. Industrial biotech already significantly reduces industrial carbon emissions, and has the potential to reduce carbon by up to 2.5 billion tonnes per year, in addition to the low-carbon potential of biofuels, according to a recent World Wide Fund report.

Danisco is on the forefront of biobased technologies for industry, fuel and food, several of which it will showcase throughout COP15.

This week Danisco and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company launched the world’s first tire made from BioIsoprene, which applies renewable resources instead of a petrochemical to synthetic rubber.

Danisco’s 50/50 joint venture, DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol LLC (DDCE) creates integrated technology packages for converting agricultural waste and bioenergy crops into fuel ethanol. Danisco also supplies enzymes to leading players in advanced biofuels, including the Dong/Inbicon plant in Kalundborg, Denmark.

Danisco has established a collaboration with Huntsman Textile Effects to dramatically lower energy consumption in textile bleaching.

On December 17, Danisco will participate in a biotechnology industry event that brings together government and industry leaders to discuss how industrial biotech can contribute to the global climate change solution. Knutzen will be a keynote speaker at the event.

Last Friday Danisco launched a website for climate-friendly foods (www.danisco.com/climate). Danisco has more than 70 ways to help the food and beverage industry combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions and consumption of natural resources. All are now gathered on the new Danisco Climate Friendly website, aimed at giving manufacturers a fast route to a greener image.
 
As consumers express growing concern about the climate, the first products with carbon labels are appearing on supermarket shelves. Danisco’s website is designed to help manufacturers find solutions that boost sustainable production within their food sector.
 
 ‘Sustainability is becoming a competitive parameter. We can show manufacturers how to make direct savings in resource consumption using our ingredients,’ says Jesper Kampp, Group Manager at Danisco.
 
The website guides food manufacturers to relevant opportunities within five climate-friendly categories — those that reduce energy, water or raw material consumption and those that enable material substitution and waste reduction.
 
See all Danisco’s climate-friendly solutions at:
 
Among the solutions for the dairy industry, the website highlights FoodPro Cleanline, a unique enzyme that reduces the number of cleaning cycles required in UHT milk processing. This eliminates the need for harsh cleaning chemicals, reduces water consumption and, to cap it all, boosts processing capacity by up to 15%.
 
CREMODAN IcePro is another example, as its special functionality cancels out the need for an energy-swallowing hardening tunnel in ice cream production. Others include GRINDSTED Carrageenan, for lower-temperature caramel production, and GRINDSTED Meatline, which creates the desired texture in a meat batter without nitrogen or carbon dioxide cooling.
 
 ‘At Danisco, we continue to work on the development of climate-friendly ingredients. From our dialogue with customers, it is clear that climate change has gained a higher ranking on their list of priorities,’ Kampp says.
 
The climate focus is not restricted to ingredient functionality. To reduce packaging waste, for instance, Danisco has long delivered its coagulant enzymes for cheese production in refillable pallet tanks.
 
‘Packaging is a major source of food industry waste, which we can help reduce by ensuring that the packaging we use is recyclable,’ adds Kampp.