TAGS: Natural/ Organic
Denmark’s The Novo Nordisk Foundation has awarded a grant of EUR 100 million to DTU Biosustain, paving the way for the development of new sustainable consumer products and strengthening Danish biotechnology research.
Allocating a Total of EUR 100 Mn Fund
Over the next five years, The Novo Nordisk Foundation will allocate a total of EUR 100 million to the DTU Biosustain research center. The additional funding will ensure that the center can continue its research activities on gaining knowledge and developing technologies for sustainable production of biochemicals and green consumer products by mastering the design of cell factories.
During the new funding period, DTU Biosustain will focus on three main areas:
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Sustainable chemicals
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Bio-based products
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Microbial foods and feed ingredients
Research to Use Biology as a Tool
Research within these areas will be an incentive to promote more sustainable lifestyles and use biology as a tool to develop bio-based products, such as medicine, foodstuff ingredients and specialty chemicals. This vision goes hand in hand with DTU’s decision to work strategically with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
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We are very grateful to receive a grant of this size. It ensures that we have excellent conditions for continuing our research activities and exploration of how biotechnology, synthetic biology, and data analysis can contribute a wide range of consumer goods being produced in a greener and cheaper way than today,” said Bernhard Palsson, CEO at DTU Biosustain.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation hopes that the funding will further strengthen Denmark’s position in the field of biotechnology.
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DTU Biosustain has established a world-class environment for research into the design and development of cell factories and new bio-industrial production methods. The goal is that, in the coming years, the center will push the boundaries for our knowledge in the field of biotechnology,” said Lars Rebien Sørensen, chairman of The Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Biotechnology will be a key element in the green transition, and thus, the center is a good example of how Denmark can make a significant contribution to the global effort to promote sustainable products and processes. In addition to this, Sørensen emphasizes that the center’s work will pave the way for other opportunities in Denmark.
The research conducted at the center will give Danish industry easier access to ground-breaking science in the fields of industrial biotechnology and bio-industrial production, which are traditional areas of strengths for Denmark. This could lead to an increase in the number of export ventures and workplaces in Denmark.
Source: DTU Biosustain