Novozymes was ranked number one, when Science Magazine released its annual Top Employers Survey today.

Science Magazine is the academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and one of the world's top scientific publications.

The 2015 Top Employers Survey is based on 5,701 survey responses from readers of Science and other survey invitees.

Survey participants came from North America (57%), Europe (27%), and Asia/Pacific Rim (11%); 92% work in biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, and pharmaceutical companies.

The survey polls employees in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and related industries to determine the 20 best employers globally.

The key driving characteristics of the ranking were 'Innovative leader in the industry', 'Treats employees with respect' and 'Is socially responsible'.

"We are very proud to be recognized as the best employer by this leading scientific journal," said Dr Per Falholt, CSO at Novozymes. "We develop biological answers to some of the greatest challenges of our time. Our growing world needs more food, better farming, renewable energy, and clean air and water. Our products really make a difference, and I believe that is a great motivation for everybody at Novozymes."

Novozymes has pioneered the field of industrial biotechnology since the 1940s.

One in five of its 6,500 employees work in research and development (R&D), with the company's main research centers located in Denmark, China, US and India.

Novozymes invests 13-14% of total revenue into R&D each year.

As the world's largest maker of industrial enzymes and microorganisms, Novozymes' biotechnology is used by companies everywhere to save on energy, water and raw materials in a wide range of products. From laundry detergents, textiles and beer, to biofuels, animal feed and crops.

In 2014, the worldwide application of Novozymes' biological solutions helped customers reduce their COâ‚‚ emissions by an estimated 60 million tons, equivalent to taking 25 million cars off the road.

"Many answers to the world's biggest problems can be found in some of the smallest things in nature," said Dr Per Falholt. "Proteins and microorganisms have helped humans since the dawn of time. They are right there waiting for us to discover just how much biology can do to create a world in balance."