Novozymes invests in UV technology from Danish company Lyras

Bagsværd and Aalborg, Denmark – The biotech group Novozymes has invested in a new and energy-friendly filtration replacement from Danish Lyras. Following a test course, the group has purchased its first UV system based on the raslysation technology for inactivation of micro-organisms.

Lyras predicted raslysation is going to improve work environment and reduce energy consumption for Novozymes, which produces industrial enzymes.

Novozymes’ new raslysation system from Lyras is going to replace labour-intensive filtration processes that previously caused physical strain on the company’s employees in connection with manual handling of filters. At the same time, the investment is expected to provide increased safety with regards to unwanted microbiology and reduced energy consumption.

“As several enzymes cannot withstand high temperatures, today we use classic depth-filtration to remove the bioburden in our products,” said Steen Skaerbaek, senior director at Novozymes. “For that reason, our employees replace heavy sets of filter plates daily as part of the purification process for the finished enzyme concentrate. Raslysation relieves us from this procedure. Simultaneously, we gain even more control of unwanted microbial activity in our processes. We also expect to see a difference in our energy bill. All things considered, raslysation fits into Novozymes’ green strategy in every way.

“Once the UV technology provides the expected results at Novozymes’ location in Kalundborg, the next logistical step will be to install Lyras’ UV technology at several of our global strategic sites, that produce high-value enzymes and proteins for the food industry.”

Lyras CTO Nete Zarp Nielsen said, “You have to give big, recognized companies like Novozymes props for leading by example and integrating new and green technologies. Novozymes has been a fantastic partner in the process of testing and designing the optimal solution. We are proud that together we have created the basis for a system that a company with Novozymes’ high level of research would want to invest in and use globally in future.”

Novozymes’ new raslysation system will be able to treat 45,000 litres of industrial enzyme liquid per hour. Raslysation is a non-thermal treatment technology based on UV that inactivates microorganisms and at the same time is gentle on enzymes, proteins, amino acids, and vitamins. You achieve higher quality, increased safety, improved production flow, less cleaning and waste as well as better utilization of resources such as energy.

Raslysation can also be used as a substitute for pasteurization of foods such as brine, whey, juice, iced tea, and many other liquids.