In a business world filled with pledges and slow progress, Ester Baiget is delivering measurable, science-backed climate impact, at scale. As President & CEO of Novonesis, a newly formed biosolutions powerhouse headquartered in Denmark, Baiget is driving a transformation that blends cutting-edge biology with bold environmental ambition.
Her mission? To make biosolutions, not fossil fuels, the foundation of modern industry.
From Legacy Chemicals to a New Bioeconomy
Baiget’s journey began with over 25 years at Dow, where she rose to become Business President of Dow Industrial Solutions, overseeing massive global portfolios. But it’s her current role that is defining her legacy.
In 2024, Baiget took the helm of Novonesis, born from the landmark merger of Novozymes and Chr. Hansen. With 10,000 employees and operations across agriculture, health, food, and homecare, the company is a global leader in biotech-driven sustainability.
“At Novonesis, we come to work every day in our quest … to imagine a better world,” Baiget said, reflecting on the company’s net-zero vision.
A Climate CEO With Numbers to Prove It
Unlike many corporate climate efforts, Baiget’s impact is data-backed. Over 90% of Novonesis’ revenue comes from biosolutions that foster sustainability, according to the company. In 2024, Novonesis increased its R&D spend by 13%, bringing it to 10.7% of total revenue.
Under her leadership:
- Q1 2025 organic sales rose 11%, with a 38.3% adjusted EBITDA margin
- 2024 saw ~9% organic growth, with a year-end outlook of 7–8%
- Launched game-changing tech: Cell-Tech for nitrogen-fixing crops, PET-degrading enzymes, and smart detergent enzymes
- Launched new application and innovation initiatives in Denmark to support the dairy and food sectors.
From the Lab to the Global Stage
Baiget’s influence goes far beyond quarterly reports. She is a Co-Chair of the WEF Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, a member of The B Team, and sits on the board of the Science Based Targets Initiative. In 2024, she was named to the TIME100 Climate List, recognized for championing biological solutions that could cut up to 8% of global CO₂ emissions.
She is also a lead contributor to the World Economic Forum’s bioeconomy strategy report, helping define the next decade of sustainable business.
“Sustainability isn’t a choice between sustainability and financial results,” she has said. “It’s about long-term shareholder value creation.”
Building the World’s Most Relevant Climate Company
Baiget’s vision is clear: biosolutions should replace fossil-fuel-based systems across every sector. Under her guidance, Novonesis is proving that doing good for the planet can go hand in hand with delivering value to shareholders.
Recognized by TIME and the World Economic Forum, Baiget is emerging as one of the most influential CEOs in climate innovation, leading a Denmark-based biotech company with a global impact.
