Novozymes tops DJSI for 12th time

Again in 2013, Novozymes was ranked as the most sustainable company in the Biotechnology Industry category of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

The Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) announced on Sept 12 that Novozymes was the most sustainable company within the Biotechnology Industry category. With an overall score of 86 out of 100, Novozymes has been recognized by the DJSI for the 12th time for their significant sustainable efforts.

"It is a top priority at Novozymes to integrate sustainability into our business," said Mads Bodenhoff, Vice-President Corporate Finance at Novozymes. "It is important to Novozymes that our sustainability activities are clearly linked to our core business and that sustainability is used both to support our current business practices and to inspire development of new business opportunities."

One way that Novozymes ensures sustainability is integrated into the business is through its Sustainability Board. Consisting of vice-presidents from various functions throughout the company, Novozymes' Sustainability Board is responsible for the development of the company sustainability strategy and targets combining the functional business strategies with stakeholder insights.

"The Sustainability Board acts as a vehicle for integrating sustainability both in high level-decisions and into day-to-day business activities at Novozymes," explained Mads Bodenhoff. "As an example, the Sustainability Board has initiated activities such as our supplier evaluation programs and business integrity programs, and recently in 2013, three new sustainability targets within diversity, supplier performance and our engagement in the UN-led initiative Sustainable Energy for All were introduced."

The Dow Jones Sustainability Index is an international sustainability ranking system that comprises the leading companies around the world, and is run by S&P Dow Jones and RobecoSAM Sustainability Investing. The survey results, which are published annually, are based on a comprehensive sustainability analysis on three overall dimensions: economic, environmental, and social as well as a number of sub-dimensions. These include corporate governance, environmental management, operational eco-efficiency, and supply chain management.

China is the 2nd largest national market for Novozymes, serving as a global hub of profit growth, R&D and production. Since 1992, Novozymes entered into China and today has more than 1,100 employees, three key production sites along with assets over $500 million, produces industrial enzymes, microorganisms and pharmaceutical ingredients, and delivers sustainable benefits for customers in household care, food and beverages, bioenergy and other industries with biosolutions.

Novozymes has been recognized on several occasions for its efforts in corporate responsibility. Its Tianjin plant was named as one of the "100 Best Environmental Construction Projects" and "National Environmentally Friendly Enterprise" by State Environmental Protection Administration (today's Ministry of Environmental Protection). It is also one of the Top 10 sustainable development cases in China by processing bio-fertiliser provided to local community (novogro). Furthermore, Novozymes has been leading in enzymes for biomass-to-ethanol conversion process to manage challenges facing China in environmental protection, energy safety, and agricultural development.