According to a reliable forecast, by 2010, the role of biotechnology in the global fine chemical industry is expected to surge from 15% to 60%, marking an impressive and rapid growth. Compared to traditional chemical methods for producing chiral molecules, biocatalysis has gained widespread adoption due to its high efficiency, purity, and cost-effectiveness. Analysts believe that biotechnology will play an increasingly dominant role in organic fine chemical synthesis, potentially replacing conventional processes entirely and becoming the core technology of the future.
Biocatalysis offers distinct advantages, especially through the use of enzymes, which exhibit remarkable selectivity—essential for producers of intermediates or active pharmaceutical ingredients. It also opens new pathways for the synthesis of complex organic molecules, complementing traditional chemical approaches. Enzymes provide exceptional chemical, regioselective, and stereoselective control, leading to high yields. For example, while racemic technologies typically achieve a maximum yield of 50%, asymmetric methods can reach up to 100%.
Moreover, enzyme-based processes significantly enhance safety and environmental sustainability. The conditions are often milder, reducing the risk of uncontrolled reactions and minimizing health hazards for workers. Although enzymes may be more expensive, their unique benefits have attracted growing attention, especially with advancements in molecular biotechnology and high-throughput screening tools over the past decade.
Evonik, formerly Degussa, has been at the forefront of biocatalyst development for over three decades, integrating biotechnology with traditional chemical engineering. According to Wolfgang Vennard, biocatalysis has become a key technology for complex molecule production. The company is actively developing enzyme-catalyzed methods for chiral molecule synthesis, leveraging the inherent chirality of enzymes to create efficient catalysts.
Similarly, Swiss firm Lonza has built a strong foundation in biocatalytic enzyme technology, having developed 50 bioconversion processes over 25 years. They offer a range of industrial enzymes, including hydrolases, nitrile converters, oxidoreductases, and transferases. Their focus is on expanding enzyme availability for synthetic chemistry, often collaborating with universities and other companies to explore biotransformation technologies.
Innovative startups are also driving progress in the field, particularly in areas like oxidoreductase, carbon-carbon bond formation, and carbon-nitrogen bond formation. Glycosyltransferases and aminotransferases are gaining attention as well. There remains a strong demand for more active hydrolases and enzymes with improved selectivity.
Other major players in the biocatalyst market include DSM (Netherlands), Nicholas Piramal (India), Daicel Chemical Industries and Kaneka (Japan). These companies are continuously advancing enzyme production techniques. Leading firms like Evonik cover the entire value chain—from discovery and optimization to fermentation and industrial application. Smaller tech-focused companies, such as Cadkos, are also making strides, though their business models may evolve in the coming years.
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