Faster and safer processes through enzymes

 

Many if not most industrial chemical processes are dependent on catalysts – substances that accelerate chemical reactions without themselves being consumed in the catalyzed reaction and can continue to act repeatedly. Because of this, only very small amounts of catalyst are required to have a dramatic effect on the reaction rate. Development of the affordable durable and efficient catalysts was vital for the establishment and economic viability of fossil-based chemistry and material science. Nature is using catalysts for performing virtually all biochemical reactions happening inside organisms, and often outside as well. Those natural catalysts – or bio-catalysts – are protein molecules called enzymes.