Franklinton, N.C. — On October 2, Novonesis, a global leader in biosolutions, invited more than 300 Franklin County high school students, educators, and community leaders to its North America headquarters in Franklinton, North Carolina. The event was the national flagship Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) kickoff, an initiative of the Manufacturing Institute. The MI is the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. The MI’s Mission is to build a resilient manufacturing workforce prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
As the Platinum Sponsor of MFG Day, Novonesis opened its doors in Franklinton—and at Novonesis sites across the U.S.—to showcase the future of biomanufacturing. At the North Carolina event, students rotated through immersive tours across the campus, exploring the biosolutions origin story, advanced R&D labs, and the role of biosolutions in daily life; walked the fermentation shopfloor and control rooms alongside engineers; and engaged with local community colleges and workforce development programs.
“When students walk through our doors, they see that manufacturing today is about innovation, purpose-driven work and meaningful careers,” said Tue Micheelsen, President of Novonesis North America. “It opens their eyes to possibilities they may never have imagined.”
North Carolina Secretary of Commerce, Lee Lilley, who joined students and educators for the event, added: “North Carolina is proud to be a national leader in biotechnology and advanced manufacturing. Events like MFG Day are critical to showing young people that they don’t have to leave the state to build rewarding, high-tech careers. Right here in Franklin County and across the Research Triangle, they can help create biosolutions that improve lives, strengthen our economy, and benefit people and planet.”
Meredith Archie, Senior Vice President of External Affairs of the NC Chamber and President of the NC Chamber Foundation, represented the thriving business and manufacturing community in North Carolina. “As the state affiliate for the National Association of Manufacturers, the NC Chamber knows that manufacturing is essential to North Carolina’s future. Novonesis, and their sponsorship of MFG Day, is shaping that future by inspiring the workforce of tomorrow. Watching students light up as they toured the facility and envisioned themselves in biomanufacturing was the highlight of my day and a reminder of why this work matters so much.”
Education and workforce partners also took part in the event, including Vance-Granville Community College, Durham Technical Community College, the Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) at NC State, Wake Technical Community College, BioNetwork, NCWorks Career Center, and NCcareers.org. Teachers and chaperones accompanied students on tours and demonstrations. At the same time, college and workforce development representatives engaged students in conversations about how classroom learning connects to real-world opportunities in biotechnology, engineering, and advanced manufacturing.
Novonesis has proudly called North Carolina home since 1978. Its Franklinton site is the largest multipurpose enzyme manufacturing plant in North America and the largest private employer in Franklin County. Across the state, Novonesis employs more than 700 people, with two additional R&D operations in Research Triangle Park. North Carolina is already a national leader in life sciences, with more than 100,000 people working in the sector. By hosting MFG Day, Novonesis highlighted the state’s expanding role in the U.S. bioeconomy, a $210 billion industry expected to nearly double by 2030.
At the heart of this growth are microbes, enzymes, and other proteins — the building blocks of all living things. Through modern science and technology, these microscopic changemakers are being used to help businesses reduce waste, save energy and water, cut reliance on fossil resources, and develop innovative, profitable products. These biosolutions are already at work in more than 30 industries, including food and beverages, bioenergy, animal health, agriculture and household care.
The event underscored the growing need for a strong manufacturing workforce to sustain these industries. The U.S. will require 3.8 million new manufacturing workers over the next decade, with nearly half of those jobs projected to go unfilled without increased training and awareness. To help close that gap, Novonesis has long partnered with North Carolina’s education system to connect students to career pathways. The company helped co-found the BioWork program, a community college certificate that prepares students for entry-level roles in biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and continues to provide scholarships, internships, and hands-on learning opportunities for students across the state.
By hosting MFG Day, Novonesis offered students a firsthand look at how science and manufacturing intersect to shape a more sustainable future. The day not only showcased North Carolina’s leadership in biomanufacturing but also reinforced the state’s commitment to developing a skilled workforce ready to step into the high-tech, high-impact careers of tomorrow. For many students, it was more than a field trip. It was the first step toward seeing themselves as part of North Carolina’s growing bioeconomy.