Novozymes, a Danish company that researches and manufactures industrial enzymes, has its domestic headquarters and a major research facility in Franklin County, North Carolina. The Franklin County facility focuses on converting biomass like woodchips and corn stalks into ethanol as an alternative to using food sources. Novozymes recently invested $26 million to expand the Franklin County lab for biofuels research. The company chose to expand in Franklin County due to the available workforce, supportive community, and proximity to research institutions like Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and NC State University which helps with recruiting.

1. Economic Development Profile: Franklin County’s Novozymes
JOAN PLOTNICK
Business Leader-Triangle, May 2008
Much is said about the promising scientific advancements being made in the major urban
centers of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. But some of the nation’s most promising
environmental and biofuel research is actually taking place in rural Franklin County.
Novozymes’ domestic headquarters in Franklinton researches, develops and
manufactures enzymes for use in everything from laundry detergents to paper. “We
create industrial enzymes for a variety of applications,” says Jack Blackmer, manager,
environmental services. “In those applications the enzymes act as catalysts to help
materials do a better job in what they are designed to do. In laundry detergents, they are
designed to help break down proteins, starch and fat stains at lower temperatures. They
allow companies to create textiles, pulp and paper using less water, energy and harsh
chemicals.”
Converting biomass to ethanol is currently its No. 1 research project, and that project is
centered in its Franklin County facility. Novozymes recently chose to invest $26 million
in a Franklinton laboratory expansion focused on researching, designing and
manufacturing biofuels, both from nonfood sources – such as woodchips, corn stalks and
cobs and switchgrass – as well as some feed crops – such as sweet potatoes. Finding
nonfood sources of ethanol is particularly in demand, as global demand for fuel continues
to rise – while the diversion of foodstuff to fuel production has been blamed for
worldwide food shortages.
“We share that concern,” Blackmer says. “Ethanol from corn will still be an important
segment of the overall production business but we recognize a need, as do others, for an
alternative source, so we can produce from nonfood sources. That is another reason we’re
stepping up our efforts at R&D to create more effective enzymes to make that
conversion.”
The Franklin County plant currently has a staff of about 440 employees ranging from
manufacturing workers to Ph.D.s. About 50 high-level scientists will be hired over the
next two years due to the expansion. Novozymes, headquartered in Denmark, has had a
major presence in Franklin County for close to 30 years. Lars Hansen, Franklin County’s
site president, said the initial decision to locate in Franklin County was based on the
availability of farmland that could benefit from the excellent fertilizer the company
naturally produces as a byproduct.
The reasons it decided to expand the facility were more varied, including an excellent
workforce, a supportive local community, and the presence of Vance-Granville
Community College (VGCC) and nearby Duke University, University of NC at Chapel
Hill and N.C. State University. “The short answer is the operation is doing very well,”
Hansen says. “We are clearly competitive and we have good relationships with the local

2. community. We can get good staff people here, and we are very confident that will
continue.”
Blackmer said the business-friendly attitude of the local government was also a factor.
“One of the benefits of Franklin County is that the county government and economic
development folks are dedicated to being a support and helping to remove any barriers
and address any issues that come up. When we’ve gone to the county with concerns we
get a receptive ear and responsive action. They are dedicated to being a partner with
business, and it shows.”
Hansen adds that the availability of research institutions makes recruiting scientists
easier, as does the quality of life in the area. Novozymes also has a number of mutually-
beneficial relationships with VGCC and the three research institutions. In fact,
Novozymes was a key player in the creation of VGCC’s Bioworks Program. Executives
at Novozymes are active at the Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education
Center (BTEC) Board at N.C. State University, as well as N.C. State University’s Center
for Innovation Management and the Biorefining Center. Novozymes also sponsors
research in several departments, including Wood and Paper Science, Biological and
Agricultural Engineering, and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Novozymes has
a relationship with the Duke University Sustainability Group, and assists UNC-Chapel
Hill MBA students to model costs for second-generation ethanol production. The
company also provides internships for students from UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State
University.
At the end of the day, Blackmer takes pride – not just in the success of the company – but
in its effect on the world at large. “There is increasing interest and concern about
greenhouse gases,” he says. “It is exciting for me to be in an industry that helps solve
some of those problems.”