The numerous fermentation tanks stand in lines in the two production halls. Pumps and agitators buzz, while a mixture of microorganisms and nutrients bubbles and boils in the fermentation tanks producing new enzymes. Philip Damborg Work is one of Novozymes’ “brewmasters," who nurse the fermentation day and night.
“As process operators we do pretty much everything that is needed to get a fermentation plant to run. We start up new productions by inoculating the microorganisms, we keep an eye on the fermentation and deliver the end product for recovery, then we check and clean the tanks. And if any problems arise, we have to be able to quickly step in to solve them. For example, if the contents of the tanks become infected and cannot be used," explains a committed Philip.
Philip’s route to the job was through a process operator training course. This takes four years, nearly all of which is spent on practical training – only six months are spent in school. Philip was offered a practical placement in the granulation tower at Novozymes, and once he had obtained his certificate, he got a job in
Fermentation. Here there were some completely new tasks that had to be carried out, so he was trained all over again.
“It actually takes three years in Fermentation before you can do most things. There are a huge number of tasks, and on top of that the equipment is frequently replaced or upgraded, so you’re always learning something new," says Philip.
And he is definitely not unhappy with this.
“I really like the fact that there are so many different things to take care of and that you are kept on your toes. On some shifts you have to work quickly, but there are also quiet shifts when everything runs perfectly," says Philip.
On the peaceful shifts the process operators can generally stay in the control room, where a large number of monitors indicate the status of all parts of the fermentation plant. Then there is time for a cozy chat with the other members of the team, who always work together. In Philip’s opinion, that’s one of the really good things about the job:
“It produces really good camaraderie in the team. They become almost like a second family because you see them more than anyone else and at various times of the day.”