Enzymes’ environmental benefits reviewed
10/12/2012
The findings are published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, in a paper by Novozymes’ Kenthorai Raman Jegannathan and Per Henning Nielsen.
In the textile industry, the enzyme pectate lyase helps degrade pectin and remove wax from raw cotton, and enables the scouring process to take place at lower temperatures. This reduces the number of rinsing baths and resources needed, resulting in savings of 990 kg carbon dioxide per ton of yarn.
“Enzymes have a proven track record of improving efficiency of industrial processes by reducing energy, water and raw materials use, and cutting waste. This is the first time we review the environmental benefits of enzyme use in industry, and document the positive effects in more general terms,” said Per Henning Nielsen, a senior manager at Novozymes.
The study claims that enzymes, when used as an alternative to conventional processes, have helped reduce industries’ emissions and thereby contribution to global warming and acid rain, as well as their impact on agricultural land use, and pollution of aquatic resources.
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