After joining forces in a $12.3 billion merger, Denmark headquartered bioscience companies Novozymes and Chr. Hansen have announced that the name of the future combined company will be ‘Novonesis’. Novonesis means ‘A new beginning’ and derives from the Greek word ‘genesis’.

The name reflects a new era of biosolutions where innovation in biological sciences and technology will offer solutions to solve some of the biggest challenges facing humanity.

Ester Baiget, President and CEO of Novozymes, said, “Novonesis reflects where we came from, what we can achieve, and what we will become together. We are dedicated to harness the transformative potential of biology. Building on our legacy of developing innovative biosolutions, we stand ready to unlock unprecedented opportunities. 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. That is why we have chosen to call our new company Novonesis which means ‘A new beginning’.”

According to Cees de Jong, Chairman of Novozymes, “We developed the name Novonesis in close collaboration and dialogue between Novozymes and Chr. Hansen. It has been crucial to find a name that can be a home to all our 10,000 employees, but even more importantly the name should represent the future potential of biosolutions." We believe we have found that name in Novonesis. A name that reflects our immense commitment to making biological solutions play an even bigger role in our planet’s future.” 

The merger approval process continues to progress as planned, and closing is expected 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.