DSM is global leader in Dow Jones Sustainability World Index

ROYAL DSM, the global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials, is named the worldwide leader in the Materials industry group in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. The company has held the number position in this industry group seven times in the past 13 years.

DSM has identified three key focus areas in sustainability where its core business competencies closely intersect with identified global societal trends that are affecting people, economies and markets, largely driven by demographic change: Nutrition; Climate Change; and Circular Economy and Bio-based. DSM is working closely together with cross-sector partners to further develop sustainable growth platforms in these areas.

Integrating sustainability with DSM’s core business activities has already shown to be a significant business driver. An increasingly important part of DSM's portfolio is made up of its ECO+ and People+ products, which deliver environmental or social benefits versus competing mainstream products that fulfill the same function. These high-growth, higher margin products are collectively known as DSM's Brighter Living Solutions and currently make up 61 percent of total sales. The company aims to increase this proportion to 65 percent by 2020.

According to Feike Sijbesma, CEO and Chairman of the DSM Managing Board, sustainability is not only a responsibility but a core value and important business driver. "Business has an invaluable role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the COP21 climate deal. Our skills and competencies to address the global challenges allow DSM to make a real difference, creating brighter lives for people today and generations to come."

The company also made it in Fortune Magazine’s 2016 'Çhange the World' list of 50 companies worldwide that are making an important social or environmental impact through their profit-making strategy and operations.

DSM’s Brighter Living Solutions

DSM's Brighter Living Solutions are profitable products and innovations that have a measurably better impact on planet (ECO+) and people (People+) than mainstream competitors. A product life cycle approach is used to determine whether products and innovations are Brighter Living Solutions. This evaluates the product life cycle from raw material extraction, via production, manufacturing, transport and use, all the way to end of life and recycling. Environmental and social differentiators can be created in all stages of the product life cycle.

Recent examples of DSM's Brighter Living Solutions include:

Maxilact® lactase enzyme for lactose-free, reduced-sugar dairy products (People+)

Maxilact® is a neutral lactase enzyme that helps produce lactose-free dairy products that taste great. Not only does Maxilact meet the needs of lactose intolerant customers worldwide; its natural sweetness enables dairy producers to achieve sugar reduction in all dairy products by up to 20%, boosting taste without adding calories.

Maxarome® all-natural taste enhancers for reduced-salt savory foods (People+)

Mineral salt helps to manage the fluid balance in your body. However, scientific research shows that too much sodium in the form of salt is bad for your heart health as it raises blood pressure. Part of DSM's Salt Reduction Toolbox, Maxarome® is one of a range of all-natural savory taste enhancers derived from 100 percent natural yeast. Yeast extracts contain high-quality proteins that complement every recipe and because it is highly concentrated, only small quantities (less than 1 percent of the overall recipe) are required to enable food producers to achieve great taste while reducing salt.