“I’ve virtually given up cycling in Beijing, because there’s always this heavy blanket of exhaust fumes hanging over the city these days,” says Tang Lan, a researcher at Novozymes’ research center in Beijing. “But this may change in the future thanks to the work on making biofuel cheaper that I’m part of here at Novozymes. This is something that everyone can immediately see the benefits of, so it’s been very rewarding to work on.”

She heads a team of seven at Screening & Protein Chemistry, which is part of the Fungal Diversity department. Here, new species of fungus are constantly being collected from nature’s treasure chest and examined – maybe one of them is home to an enzyme with groundbreaking properties.

“Our work comes right at the beginning of the research and development process that precedes the launch of a new product,” she explains. “Once we’ve found, say, an enzyme with potential, we send it on to colleagues in other parts of the world. And one day you may get to see an enzyme that you were the first to work on being used in an important product for Novozymes – maybe one that changes an industrial process in a whole industry and replaces some harsh chemicals. This is a very encouraging thought in our day-to-day work.”

Collaboration with departments outside China is another perk of the job, Tang Lan believes, as it brings a wealth of fresh input, both professional and personal.

“When I work with colleagues from other countries and cultures, they can contribute different ideas than those I have myself, and it also makes it easier for me to grasp the differences there are in the world.”

Time for her family
Tang Lan’s route to Novozymes was through a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, followed by a research job at the university. She joined Novozymes’ operation in Beijing in 1998, shortly after it was opened. Since then, she has worked on projects in many different product categories – enzymes for everything from detergents to pig feed.

“It changes all the time, and there’s plenty of variation. Sometimes I end up working on enzymes for an industry that I’d never even heard of before!”

Although Tang Lan and her colleagues are ambitious and always want to give their best, work is not everything:

“One very important thing for me is that Novozymes attaches great importance to a good work–life balance. This means that I can pursue a career and still have time for my family and make a contribution there.”