“Novozymes are a worthy contender in the list, as not only is their biotechnology providing cleaner profile technologies that can enhance the suitability and efficiency of process, they are also enhancing the functionality of a wide range of ingredients,” said Steve Osborn Business Innovation Manager from Leatherhead Food Research.
The Danish biotech firm focused on enzyme production and food processing aids and holds an estimated 48% of the global enzyme market share.
It said it was "honoured, humbled and excited" by the gong.
Research and Development focus
"More than 20% of our global workforce works in R&D, and annually we spend approximately 14% of revenue on R&D," Rasmus von Gottberg, head of Novozymes food & beverages, told FoodNavigator.
“Our credo is to ‘Rethink Tomorrow’. As such, we are keen to excite our customers and create the necessary balance between better business, a cleaner environment, and better lives. Innovation drives this - it is part of our DNA."
Bringing change
Novozymes aimed at contributing to safer and healthier foods as well as helping industries to work smarter and produce more with less.
“We have interesting solutions that help improve the health profile of food products. These include solutions that make dairy digestible for everyone, that reduce the salt content of processed meats, and that mitigate the formation of acrylamide in snacks,” said Van Gottberg.
The company said its patented bakery maltogenic amalyse Novamyl that improved white bread and bun freshness was an example of its innovation.
“Novamyl made it possible for bakeries to improve the freshness of bread and enhance consumers’ experience. By adding enzymes to the flour, it is possible to work with the structure of the starch so that the bread remains soft for a longer period of time,” Van Gottberg added.
In good company
The list is led by Salesforce.com, a software and programming giant. The choices are made of investors identifying companies expected to be innovative now and in the future. The firms need at least seven years of public financial data and as well as $10bn in market capitalisation. Other food and beverage companies on the Forbes list included Coca-Cola, Grupo Bimbo, Danone and General Mills.
“The Forbes list is a great barometer of companies that are at the forefront of innovation in their field, and it always great to see Food and Beverage companies being acknowledged amongst some of the technology giants who may have a more public face of innovation,” said Osborn.
The company, headquartered in Bagsværd, employed 6,236 people in 2014.