Planet

Our world is facing immense challenges – and we’re stepping up to help solve them

Powering progress for the natural world? It's in our nature.

Accelerating climate action

We are committed to reaching net zero ourselves - and to supporting our customers’ climate journeys.

Safeguarding nature and biodiversity

We help ensure that nature remains a wellspring for innovative solutions that improve people’s lives.

Conserving our planet’s resources

We use only the resources we need and protect them for generations to come.

Accelerating climate action

Climate change is the biggest challenge of our time. And at dsm-firmenich, we also know we have a part to play in helping to tackle it. That’s why we’re stepping up with a powerful program of climate action across our entire business and throughout our value chains.

We’ve set ambitious, integrated climate targets to reduce our carbon footprint on the planet – and in early 2024, we submitted these targets for validation by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Our overall goal? Net zero emissions, across scopes 1, 2, and 3, by 2045.

But that’s just the start. Thanks to our science and research capabilities, we’re also supporting our customers in their own climate journeys, with innovative solutions that create impact at scale and bring progress to life.

Take Bovaer®, a game-changing feed supplement that drastically reduces methane emissions from cattle – up to 30% from dairy cows and up to 45% from beef cattle.

Our revolutionary solution is already helping farmers around the world to make a measurable, meaningful impact, every single day.

We’re also pioneering new, sustainable ways to produce ingredients for much-loved food and beverages. Our EverSweet® stevia sweetener, made through advanced fermentation methods, results in an 81% lower carbon footprint compared to sugar, 96% lower land use, and 97% lower water use. That’s a pretty sweet deal for people and planet alike.

Girl by hay bale on farm
A young woman enjoys a quite moment reading a book in a field of wildflowers in Idaho.

Safeguarding nature and biodiversity

All life on earth depends on nature, and we’re no different. As a leading innovator in health, nutrition, and beauty, we rely on nature as the backbone of our organization: for the biodiversity that underpins our sensory products and bio-based solutions. For the inputs and ingredients we use and produce. And for the inspiration behind our creations. But the rich variety of life on Earth is disappearing at a startling rate.

We’re on a mission to safeguard nature in high-value and high-risk value chains, working together with our suppliers. We’re committed to avoiding deforestation and championing sustainable agriculture. And, by investing in protecting and restoring at-risk sources of biodiversity, we contribute to ensuring that nature can remain a wellspring for innovative solutions that improve people’s lives, now and in the future.

Through our Responsible Sourcing programs, for example, we’re careful to source critical but vulnerable products – like vanilla from Madagascar and patchouli from Indonesia – in a way that supports both people and planet. Meanwhile, turning to marine protection, we’re also doing our bit to preserve ocean biodiversity, thanks to solutions like Veramaris: our groundbreaking sustainable algae oil that’s a fish-free source of vital omega-3.

Conserving our planet’s resources

Taking only what we need, and putting back what we can: that’s our philosophy when it comes to resource conservation. This is critical, as everything we need to thrive, from food and water to air and shelter, relies on our planet’s precious resources.

To conserve these for future generations, we're taking actions that boost productivity, eliminate waste, and prevent contamination.

Over the years, we've invested significantly in water reuse, thereby reducing the amount of water we withdraw at our sites. In 2023, for example, two sites in France and one in China implemented projects that will cut water withdrawal by 10–20%. Through initiatives like these, and by optimizing our site operations and collaborating across the value chain, we're committed to using only what we need – and replenishing what we take.

Moreover, we use upcycled ingredients – from salvaged orange peels to leftover woodchips – in some of our fragrance solutions, helping to maximize existing resources and reduce waste. Take our upcycled wood rosin, for instance: extracted from leftover pine tree stumps originally cut for the wood industry, it's processed to create perfumery derivatives such as HERCOLYN® DW. And there's plenty more where that came from: our Circular Fragrance Collection includes more than 130 perfumes, all 100% upcycled.

Serene man overlanding in majestic scenic mountains, Canadian Rockies; Shutterstock ID 2220973483; purchase_order: TTH_1st round (12 images); job: ; client: ; other:
Tan Skinned Boy Prepares for Cliff Dive with Hands Together in a V; Shutterstock ID 2307781653; purchase_order: MB images; job: ; client: ; other:
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Keen to learn more about how we protect our precious planet?

And here’s how we drive progress for people

Fueling healthy lives

We help people to become healthy and stay healthy – at every stage of life.

Empowering people to thrive

We create lasting impact across our value chain through responsible business practices.

Nurturing well-being

We give people the feel-good factor and provide a sense of belonging.

Explore more

  • ESG resources

    Dive into our progress for people and planet across various leading ESG benchmarks.

  • Our sustainability partnerships

    Learn how dsm-firmenich works with partners including businesses, NGOs, governments, and academia for a more sustainable world – and find out how to get involved.

  • Position statements

    Bringing progress to life also means taking a clear stance on topics which are of special interest to our stakeholders. Find our overview here.