Interview with... Martin Klavs Nielsen, CEO at AB Enzymes

1) What inspired AB Enzymes to join EuropaBio? Companies like AB Enzymes who work within the bio/ fermentation area will be an important part in improving everyday life for everyone in a sustainable manner. By becoming a member of EuropaBio, we aim at taking part of the European biotech effort to promote the benefits of the biotech industry, the potential contribution of Biotech in working towards a sustainable environment and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We firmly believe that together, joined in this largest Biotech industry association, we can further explain and promote the benefits that our industry can bring in solving the challenges for mankind (feeding a growing world population and contributing to sustainable development while doing so) and thereby driving a positive impact to ensure a better life in a growing world.

2) What are the policy areas which offer opportunities and potential challenges for enzymes in the EU?
Especially in Biotech, technology is developing rapidly. Thus, the access to new state-of-the-art, efficient, accurate and safe tools and techniques is essential to EU research and development, in order to secure a thriving biotech industry in Europe. As other members, we consider that the current regulatory system is not fit for purpose and not future proof. Therefore, we would aim at joining forces in rethinking the regulatory approach to fermentation products in the EU, turning it into a science-based, transparent, and predictable regulatory environment, favourable for the Industrial biotech industry. Joining EuropaBio makes it possible for AB Enzyme to join forces with others and address legislators in EU with a strong voice.

3) What are the priorities of your clients?
The priorities of our customers are to be offered new types of enzymes which can help them improve their products within the food, feed and technical area. These improvements done by enzymes should be achieved in a cost-in-use efficient manner. Customers now also emphasise the need for sustainable solution(s) and understand what enzymes can offer in this respect.

4) How does AB Enzymes want to position itself within the European biotech economy?
At AB Enzymes, we are passionate about biotechnology and the potential to create added value, protect the environment and improve the quality of enzymes and related fermentation products sold to the food, feed and technical area across the world. We are committed to our various partners in Europe, and by working closely together with our customers and have a deep understanding of what they really want, we constantly seek to improve our products, find new applications, discover new molecules and increase value for our customers, through new and/or improved bespoke solutions aiming at a more sustainable future, achieving and guaranteeing long-term and lasting success.