Peter Halling, Vice President of Biofuels, Novozymes

Please tell us about Novozymes.

Novozymes is the world leader in biological solutions. Together with customers, partners and the global community, we improve industrial performance while preserving the planet's resources and helping to build better lives. As the world's largest provider of enzyme and microbial technologies, our bioinnovation enables higher agricultural yields, low-temperature washing, energy-efficient production, renewable fuel and many other benefits that we rely on today and in the future. We call it Rethink Tomorrow.

  Please tell us about Novozymes’ role within the ethanol industry and why the company is committed to supporting the ethanol industry now and in the future.

Our goal is to partner with each plant on an individual level and help them find the right solutions to increase their profitability. We have a flexible suite of enzymes that can help meet any operational goal, from yield to throughput. We have a very skilled technical services team that is on the ground everyday with customers, helping them implement products and run successful trials. We’re always looking at new innovations to complement our existing products so we can offer customers the best solutions for their individual needs. Novozymes offers superior technology for ethanol production, including a wide range of high-value enzymes that optimize the conversion of grains such as corn, barley, wheat and rye.

Picture caption: A Novozymes' R&D lab

From your perspective, what would you like consumers to know about the ethanol industry and the fuel it produces?

There will be a large demand for liquid transportation fuels in the future, and biofuels can contribute significantly to meet this demand. Biofuels present a sustainable and renewable alternative to fossil fuels, stimulate rural economies and create domestic jobs. Novozymes is driving the change to greener fuel and renewable energy. Our unique enzymes break down plants and plant waste to create ethanol. We increase plant profitability for both starch-based and cellulosic ethanol production and enable new energy industries.

Picture caption: Novozymes' products

What do see as the ethanol industry's biggest challenge?

Market access continues to be a challenge for the industry. The Renewable Fuel Standard is working, and America needs to let it work. E15 is approved, but limited implementation is stifling demand for advanced biofuel production. To speed up the deployment of cellulosic ethanol, a stable and coherent policy framework is needed including blending mandates, loan guarantees, private and public co-financing, biomass collection programs and infrastructure development. Advanced biofuel needs equal market access, not market lock-out.

What does Novozymes see for the future of ethanol and advanced biofuels?

We are very excited for the future of ethanol and innovations that will allow us to continue to increase profitability for producers. We are actively developing new products that will improve plant yields and efficiency and will have new breakthroughs to introduce by the end of 2015. We have seen there is more to go for, even above our latest Yield Discovery products, and are actively pursuing leads in a number of areas. Cellulosic ethanol production is gaining momentum, and we are excited to be pioneers in that areas as well. Novozymes began investing in this area in 2001 with more than 100 dedicated scientists and a lot of public affairs activity. Ever since, we've been at the forefront of innovating this industry into existence. We launched the first commercially viable enzymes for biomass conversion in 2010 and since then we've been helping to continuously drive down the cost of production.

Pictured caption : The Novozymes' team

Learn more about Novozymes at www.ThinkBioenergy.com or follow them on Twitter at @NZ_Bioenergy