Novozymes Applauds Renewed Focus on Renewable Energy, Jobs In Obama's State of the Union

Novozymes, the global leader in producing enzymes that turn biomass into biofuels, today applauded President Obama’s renewed commitment to renewable energy in his 2012 State of the Union address.

“It’s proven that home-grown, renewable energy can put steel in the ground, create jobs and power our economy. Working with the President, we can help America become less dependent on foreign oil and a smarter consumer of energy,” Adam Monroe, President of Novozymes North America, said. “Innovations like advanced biofuels can play a major role in the President’s vision but we need steady policies like the Renewable Fuel Standard – and we look forward to working Congress to preserve them.”

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $25 million partnership with Fiberight, a Novozymes partner. The commitment will support the construction of a new advanced biofuels plant in Blairstown, Iowa. The plant will turn waste into biofuels, producing six million gallons per year when fully operational in the first half of 2013.

Novozymes is also nearing completion of a new state-of-the-art biofuels innovation plant in Blair, Nebraska, a $200 million investment in America’s future. The enzyme facility has already created 140 construction jobs and will bring 100 permanent jobs when it opens in 2012. In fact, 45 full-time employees are already at work. American ethanol helped create 70,000 jobs in 2010, according to the Renewable Fuels Association.

In December, Novozymes responded to the Office of Science and Technology Policy’s call for a National Bioeconomy Blueprint, outlining a vision where everyday products are made with organic materials instead of oil, including transportation fuels made from agricultural and forestry waste and non-food energy crops, that burn up to 90 percent cleaner than gasoline.

Novozymes 
www.novozymes.com