- Biosolutions are biology‑based mostly substances changing artificial alternate options
- Customers recognise biology extra simply, responding positively to cultures and enzymes
- Novonesis’ substances type small percentages but play essential formulation roles
- Excessive‑protein progress drives demand for cultures supporting world megatrend shifts
- Regulatory inconsistency challenges biotech gamers, growing Novonesis’ training efforts
What’s a biosolution? That was this writer’s first thought when two Danish ingredient powerhouses, Chr Hansen and Novozymes, merged to change into a €3.7bn “biosolutions” large in 2024.
Two years on from the beginning of Novonesis, and we’ve made some floor in understanding what provides the corporate’s substances that classification. Novonesis, too, has been working to coach shoppers, explains newcomer Andrew Taylor, EVP of meals and beverage for the substances main.
However in the identical breath, Taylor, who just lately stepped down as chief business officer at British substances maker Tate & Lyle, says client understanding isn’t the be-all-and-end-all in a B2B world.
What issues is whether or not Novonesis can deal with trade’s largest challenges, meet demand for incoming food and drinks megatrends, and encourage its clients with its biosolutions portfolio.
The provider’s F&B chief says it may well.
So, what’s a ‘biosolution’? Right here’s what it’s not
At a current trade occasion, Novonesis’ advertising and marketing materials was noticeably free from the time period “biosolutions”. Catching up in a gathering room on-site, Taylor says the place applicable, the corporate swaps the phrase out for one more, extra identifiable one: biology.
“Customers perceive biology,” he explains. Biology, like a biosolution, is pure. And in that method, it’s virtually simpler to clarify what biosolutions are by what they’re not: artificial.
Total, when shoppers hear about “biology”, after which what meaning for Novonesis – whether or not that be cultures, enzymes or yeast – they reply positively. “Cultures are extensively understood. Enzymes a bit much less, however individuals nonetheless recognise them as pure”.
However truly, of all of the parts on a product’s substances listing, these made by Novonesis hardly ever take the highlight. Novonesis’ enter accounts for 1-3% of whole substances, at most as much as 5%. Generally, as processing aids, they’re not on the label in any respect.
So if client consciousness is low, that’s okay. It doesn’t imply that Novonesis’ substances matter much less, nor that they don’t play an integral function in meals formulation. They do, Taylor explains.
The largest meals pattern of 2026 – and the way it hyperlinks to biology
How Novonesis’ choices play into trade megatrends is an enormous one.
We’ve spent numerous time weighing up the largest developments of the approaching yr, from fibre to longevity by means of to cost-cutting substances. With all bets now in, the percentages are protein will outdo all of them. And that’s what Taylor’s predicting too.
“Excessive protein is in all places,” he says. “Forty % of US yoghurt is already excessive protein, and it retains rising – throughout Europe and into Asia, it’s in snacks, cereals, and even confectionery. This pattern has actual legs.”
Novonesis would know. Dairy, and yoghurt particularly, is a significant software case for its cultures.
“Are elements of it overdone? Certain,” he says with a smile. We’ve each seen samples of high-protein quick meals – from crisps to pizza and extra – on the trade-show flooring. “However the broader push to eat extra protein isn’t going away.”
And that’s excellent news for the Danish biosolutions powerhouse, on common. There are “winners and losers” on a class foundation, he explains. Conventional pan white bread is shedding favour, significantly with the rise of GLP-1 medication for weight administration. “That works in opposition to us,” he reveals. However alternatively, the rise of high-protein is an apparent win.
To make yoghurt, a model wants milk, cultures, and infrequently a bit sucrose. They’ll then have the choice of including fruit preparations, stabilisers and starches. “Numerous what our cultures allow you to do is minimize issues out,” he explains. “What we make typically helps simplify the label.”
Clear label is straightforward, regulation is tough
When working with pure substances, being “clear label” is straightforward. Or at the very least, simpler than artificial alternate options.
However for Novonesis, like all world ingredient gamers, different challenges stay. Affordability, tariffs, and normal macroeconomic uncertainty are only a few dealing with the sector.
The Danish substances firm encounters these similar hurdles, as do its clients. When that occurs, they usually discover themselves needing to reformulate merchandise – a boon for Novonesis when meals gamers swap out artificial substances for pure alternate options.
The actual problem for Novonesis lies in regulation. “The regulatory setting for biotechnology is in flux,” explains Taylor. “It’s simpler in some locations, tougher in others, and wildly inconsistent.”
Meaning Novonesis has to work tougher to get its messaging throughout. Whether or not coping with authorities within the EU, UK, US or particular international locations like Brazil, Taylor has learnt that the majority regulators are new to the biotech sport. And as soon as once more, that training piece returns.
“Numerous our work is educating regulators on what biosolutions truly are,” Taylor says.
And that training, we suspect, is unlikely to finish any time quickly.
