Environmental impact of the use of enzymes in different applications
This study aims to quantify via a life cycle assessment the environmental benefits of using enzymes along current industrial practices in three applications (detergent production and use, brewing and wafer production). The LCA methodology used is in line with the PEF guidelines and leans on the ISO 14040 principles. Furthermore, the LCA report has been critically reviewed by an independent panel of experts.
In all scenarios, enzymes lead to a reduction of the environmental footprint. However, those results widely differ per product group: reduction of the climate change impacts spans from 27% (detergent) to 9% (brew) and 3% (wafers). The induced reduction in environmental impacts exceeds by far the incremental footprint driven by enzymes production, owing to the very small quantities of enzymes products required to deliver the intended effect.
Thank you to AMFEP members AB Enzymes, dsm-firmenich, IFF, Novonesis, BASF and Kerry who supported this work.
