ABSTRACT
Industrial development should be sustainable and environmentally sound through cleaner production. Two of the premises of sustainable development are that economic growth has to be in harmony with the environment and that a rational and sustainable use of natural resources has to be implemented. In congruence with such premises, industrial development has to change from the degradative to the sustainable style. Cleaner bioprocesses are under intensive research and development following the general guidelines for cleaner production. The most common approach has been to use enzymes as substitutes for chemical catalysts, and enzyme applications have been introduced in the textile industry (for bio-stonewashing of jeans), in the leather and tanning industry (for degreasing hides), in the food industry (for production of instant coffee, among other products) and in pulp and paper bleaching. Significant reduction or complete elimination of harsh chemicals may be achieved and the cost of production reduced by saving water and energy.
