The utilization of gene technology and of new production technologies have made industrial enzymes with improved properties or better cost performance available. This has in turn opened important new areas of enzyme applications. The benefits to the customers are considerable: cost savings in the application process, improved product quality, and in most cases also a significantly reduced impact on the environment. Gene technology offers several benefits to the enzyme industry. This technology enables the use of safe, well-documented host organisms easy to cultivate, the microbial production of enzymes of animal and plant origin, the realization of enhanced efficiency and high product purity, and also the production of enzymes with improved stability and activity. Developments in production technology include advanced control methods, the use of expert systems, and the application of large-scale crystallization. As case stories the development of a lipase and of a cellulase is described. The effect on environment of enzyme application and production is discussed.
