Innovative products

Investing in research

Our specialists in molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, food chemistry and biotechnology are always looking for ways to do things better. For example, our biotechnologists are researching enzymatic innovations that will make it possible to feed populations while minimising the widespread environmental damage caused by existing food production processes.

We can see the scale of our work and dedication in the numbers. At AB Enzymes, we invest over 10% of our annual revenue into research. We have over 625 active patents or patent applications at any given moment.  

We contribute to industry research through our membership of the Association of Manufacturers and Formulators of Enzyme Products (AMFEP). We contributed to the Industry Guidelines on the Safe Handling of Enzymes in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing and the Safe Handling of Enzymes in the Bakery Supply Chain, sharing our safe ways of working to benefit others in the industry. 

Reducing energy in paper production

Using AB Enzyme’s ECOPULP^® RB45 during the refining process of recycling paper decreases the energy consumption required to make the paper by at least 20%. For every 1,000 kilograms of refined recycled paper, this can reduce CO₂e emissions from energy consumption by 4 kilograms. When that’s applied to the refined recycled paper produced using our enzymes, that creates a reduction of around 50,000 tonnes of CO₂e. According to ClimatePartner, this corresponds to the emissions generated by driving 3,800 times around the globe.^*

Energy reductions in laundry

Refinements in enzyme technologies, specifically by using protein engineering and molecular biology techniques, have made it possible to wash clothes at lower temperatures without compromising cleaning performance. Ultimately, less energy consumption is required to heat the laundry water. Additionally it matters because the wastewater returned to watercourses does not damage ecosystems and biodiversity. 

Adding AB Enzymes’ BIOTOUCH^® enzymes to washing detergents unlocks a potential saving of up to 260 kWh or 120 kg of CO₂e per 1,000 washing cycles because consumers can choose a lower heat setting and decrease their average washing temperature by 13° Celsius. Projected to global sales of BIOTOUCH^®, this equates to a reduction of approximately 635,000 tonnes of CO₂e or the equivalent of the emissions generated by driving 49,000 times around the globe.^*

Preserving water and energy in textile production

Manufacturing textiles is a water-intensive process. Our scientists have developed enzymes that reduce the demand for this precious resource. Our ECOSTONE^® enzyme means that textile manufacturers can bio-polish to remove pills from fabric and dye it in the same bath. Combining these two water-demanding processes not only means reduced water usage, but the process is faster and requires less energy.

Adding cold cellulase enzymes to the bio-polishing process also means the water temperature can be reduced from 50° to 30° Celsius. We estimate that for 1,000 kg of cotton processed using ECOSTONE^®, there can be savings of approximately 350 kWh of electricity for hot water preparation. This can potentially lead to an emission reduction of 360 kg CO₂e per 1,000 kg of bio-polished cotton.^*

Helping our customers reduce their water requirements

We're helping our customers control their water usage and believe that small steps can add up to significant change. Our VERON^® W proteinase preparation can be used in wafer batters to reduce viscosity, lessening the water content by 10%.

Reducing food waste

Packaged white bread keeps fresh for three more days by adding 50% more of AB Enzymes’ VERON^® MAC enzymes, decreasing disposal rates from 24% to 19%. As well as reducing wasted bread, there’s a carbon saving from reducing this waste, as food in landfill contributes to greenhouse gases.

We estimate a reduction of 20kg of CO₂e from the end-of-life phase of the bread. Projected to global sales of VERON^® MAC, this equates to a reduction of approximately 6,300 tonnes of CO₂e or the emissions generated by driving 490 times around the globe.^* It’s another example of how the power of enzymes can be used in everyday applications that will add up to significant change.

 

Our enzymes are enabling our customers across many industries to improve their production efficiency and provide products to consumers that use less energy, water and raw materials and generate less waste. 

 

* Calculations for avoided emissions conducted by ClimatePartner, 2022