Novozymes and Chr. Hansen have announced that the name of the future combined company will be Novonesis.

The companies state that Novonesis means ‘A new beginning’ and derives from the Greek word ‘genesis’.

“Novonesis reflects where we came from, what we can achieve, and what we will become together,” said Ester Baiget, president and CEO of Novozymes. “In Novonesis, we will unite the brightest minds and the best science and technology in the field to help customers and businesses prosper while enabling to solve some of the greatest challenges we all face. We are here to start an era of biosolutions.”

Novozymes and Chr. Hansen announced their agreement to merge in December 2022. The proposed combination of Novozymes A/S and Chr. Hansen Holding A/S will comprise a global network of more than 23 manufacturing sites and close to 40 R&D and application centres, and employ around 10,000 employees.

The merger approval process continues to progress as planned, and the companies expect closing to take place in the first quarter of 2024 following regulatory approval. The name Novonesis will be used and gradually implemented once the proposed combination is completed.