Novonesis

Novozymes A/S
Novonesis
TypePublic
ISINDK0060336014
IndustryBiotechnology
Predecessor
FoundedJanuary 29, 2024; 2 years ago (2024-01-29)
HeadquartersLyngby, Greater Copenhagen, Denmark
Products
Revenue€4,157.6 million (2025)
€816.7 million (2025)
€583.6 million (2025)
Total assets€16,349.1 million (2025)
Total equity€10,855.2 million (2025)
Number of employees
11,641 (2025)
ParentNovo Holdings
Websitenovonesis.com
Footnotes

Novozymes A/S (trading as Novonesis) is a Danish biotechnology company. Novonesis was formed in 2024 through the merger of Novozymes and Chr. Hansen.

The company develops enzymes, microbial cultures, and other biological products used in food and beverage production, household products, agriculture, and bioenergy.

The merger, first announced in December 2022, was the largest merger in history between two Danish companies. It would combine Novozymes' industrial-enzyme business with Chr. Hansen's microbial cultures and food-ingredient operations.

The company is publicly traded on Nasdaq Copenhagen and is part of the OMX Copenhagen 25 Index. The company's largest shareholder is Novo Holdings, which is owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

As of 2025, Novonesis has approximately 11,600 employees and activities in over 45 countries.

History

The intended merger was first announced on December 12, 2022, cleared by the European Commission on December 12, 2023, and Novonesis was founded on January 29, 2024.

The name "Novonesis" was coined in connection with the merger. Company materials describe it as a constructed name combining "novo" (Latin for "new") and "genesis" ("origin" or "beginning" in Greek).

Novozymes was known for producing industrial enzymes used in products such as detergents, biofuels, and food. Chr. Hansen specialized in bacterial cultures and probiotics used in dairy products, dietary supplements and for agricultural applications.

In 2025, Novonesis reached an agreement with DSM-Firmenich to acquire its shares of the Feed Enzyme Alliance.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Novonesis. "Annual Report 2025". www.novonesis.com. Retrieved 2026-08-28.
  2. ↑ "Vedtægter / Articles of Association" (PDF). Novonesis. 2025-04-03. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  3. ↑ Novonesis. "There's a biosolution for (almost) everything". www.novonesis.com. Retrieved 2026-08-28.
  4. ↑ Smith, Elliot (2022-12-12). "Bioscience firms Novozymes and Chr. Hansen to merge in biggest-ever Danish deal". CNBC. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
  5. ↑ "Chr. Hansen will merge with Novozymes in a $12.3B deal | Food Dive". www.fooddive.com. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
  6. ↑ "Enzyme makers Novozymes and Chr. Hansen to merge". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-01-26. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
  7. ↑ "Ownership". Novo Nordisk Fonden. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  8. ↑ "Novozymes, Chr. Hansen to merge | Food Business News". www.foodbusinessnews.net. 2022-12-13. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
  9. ↑ "MERGER PLAN FOR MERGER BETWEEN NOVOZYMES A/S AND CHR. HANSEN HOLDING A/S". power-with-biology.com. Archived from the original on 2024-06-29. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  10. ↑ "Commission clears Novozymes and Chr. Hansen merger, subject to conditions". European Commission - European Commission. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
  11. ↑ Mommert, Uta (2024-01-29). "Novozymes and Chr. Hansen Complete Merger, Forming Novonesis". European Biotechnology Magazine. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  12. 1 2 Gelski, Jeff (2024-02-02). "Novonesis emerges from Chr. Hansen-Novozymes merger". Food Business News. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  13. ↑ "Novonesis Annual Report 2024" (PDF). Novonesis. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2025-04-02. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  14. ↑ Yau, Hamish C. L.; Byard, James; Thompson, Lily E.; Malekpour, Adam K.; Robson, Timothy; Bakshani, Cassie R.; Lelanaite, Ieva; Willats, William G. T.; Lant, Neil J. (September 27, 2024). "Enzymatic modification of cotton fibre polysaccharides as an enabler of sustainable laundry detergents". Scientific Reports. 14 (1): 22049. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-73128-x. ISSN 2045-2322.
  15. ↑ "The Novozymes history". www.novozymes.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-08. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  16. ↑ "NASDAQ Company Fact Sheet - Chr. Hansen Holding A/S". NASDAQ Copenhagen. 11 December 2022. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  17. ↑ Jacobsen, Stine (2025-02-11). Solsvik, Terje (ed.). "Novonesis to buy DSM-Firmenich's stake in enzymes venture for $1.6 bln". Reuters. Retrieved 2026-02-04.