Novozymes Creates Hub For Biotech Research
04 Jun 2015 --- Novozymes plans a new research center in Lyngby, close to Copenhagen, Denmark, with space for 800 employees. The ambition is to create a global hub for biotech research and business development.
Approximately 14% of Novozymes’ revenue is reinvested into research annually, leading to the development of over 100 new products since the company went public 15 years ago. These products are used globally and enable energy-efficient production, replacement of fossil fuels, more sustainable food production and other benefits.
“With the location in Lyngby, in close proximity to Denmark’s Technical University our ambition is to create a global hub for biotech research. Our new campus will be important in creating the ultimate conditions for product development while simultaneously offering our employees a great workplace,” says Per Falholt. “We are delighted that the Lyngby-Taarbæk Municipality is interested in this project.”
As part of the campus construction, Novozymes will also establish a learning center where students and visitors alike are invited to discover and learn about the magic of nature and biology. The learning center will include teaching laboratories, a small cinema and a cafe, and will function as a link to the research environment in Lyngby.
More than 20% of Novozymes’ 6,500 employees work within research and development. In Denmark, Novozymes employs 2,700 people – a number that has grown by approximately 600 since 2005. This growth contributed to the decision to develop the new innovation campus.
“Novozymes’ project is ambitious and fits perfectly into our goal of developing as a knowledge and university city,” said Sofia Osmani, Mayor of Lyngby-Taarbæk. “The new innovation campus will strengthen education, research and business in the municipality. And Novozymes also shares our ambition to maintain and develop the area as a green recreational oasis.”
The inauguration of the new innovation campus is expected to take place in 2018 upon the approval of the district plan.
Novozymes’ investment in the new innovation campus is included in the company’s previously announced long-term CAPEX guidance. CAPEX are expected at around 8 percent of turnover on average in the period up to and including 2020. Since 2013, Novozymes’ CAPEX have been lower than this, partly because of postponed investments in research facilities that are now being realized in Lyngby. With the new campus, Novozymes will have room for the expected growth in the number of employees in Denmark until after 2020, and units from Bagsværd will move to the new site in Lyngby once it is established. In accordance with the 2015 financial outlook, Novozymes still expects net investments of around $150m in 2015.
