This morning Novozymes held is annual 2009 4th quarter sales call and earning report and overall it was favorable. While 2009 began with a rocky start for Novozymes and the majority of the ethanol industry, with effective management the company was able to finish off the year on a positive note.

Steen Riisgaard, President and CEO, noted, “After a shaky start to 2009, I’m very pleased with the way we managed our business throughout the year. We were able to deliver on our earnings guidance communicated at the beginning of the year by responding rapidly to the challenging market conditions. Looking at 2010, we expect a positive development but with continued low visibility. And even with the current market conditions, we see very favorable long-term trends for Novozymes and remain confident of our ability to deliver on our long-term targets.”

Overall, in 2009 the company’s sales were up by 4 percent with an increase in 7 percent just during the 4th quarter as compared to 2008. Some of this can be attributed the company’s commitment to developing more effective enzymes for biofuels production, with enzyme sales to the biofuel industry up 7 percent and Novozymes maintained a market share of more than 60 percent throughout 2009. In addition, its partnership with leading technology companies who are currently producing first generation biofuels and are developing second and third generation biofuels have had a positive impact.

For 2010, Novozymes expects both of its enzyme business and biobusiness to grow between 2-6 percent.

To access the full earnings report, click here.