What is success in a world that fails?

In the 30+ years I’ve been at DSM, global concern about climate change gained traction, belatedly shifting to broad acceptance, and ultimately spurring government and business action. For a long time, DSM has loudly advocated that sustainability is not a choice. So, when I read the recent IPCC report, its dire warnings for humanity were (sadly) not a surprise.

I started my journey as a leader in the materials part of DSM. Over the years we were investing in new processes and solutions that could drive down the environmental impact of manufacturing products needed by the world. At the same time, we were developing breakthrough innovations that could support a much-needed transformation for the industry to a bio-based, circular economy. This work is ongoing, but I think has the potential to have an even bigger impact.

Materials makes up about 20% of DSM whereas the other 80% is focused on health and nutrition. It is here, in the way the world produces and consumes food, that we see the most immediate and gravest of challenges from climate change. An abrupt collapse of our food systems, caused by widespread drought, wildfires, flooding, and nature loss, will cause ill health, poverty, and social unrest around the globe. When it comes to our food, climate change is an existential threat to everyone already today.

"When it comes to our food, climate change is an existential threat to everyone already today."

We have decided to fully focus DSM’s resources on where we believe we can make the most difference, where we have the scale and the scientific capabilities to address the urgent societal and environmental challenges this world faces. We have a long history in biotechnology in the Netherlands that dates back more than 150 years, and when we acquired Roche's vitamins business in Switzerland we acquired the first in the world to develop synthetic vitamins at the end of the 19th century.

Our decision means DSM will become a health, nutrition and bioscience leader. This has led us to re-organize our company into three distinct business groups – Food & Beverage, Health Nutrition & Care, and Animal Nutrition & Health – from the start of next year. We have also set ourselves a series of targets that will benefit the health of people and the health of the planet and announced these measurable commitments today.

For our two great materials businesses, we are looking at a range of strategic options, including a possible change of ownership. I believe in the potential of DSM’s materials businesses, the performance-driven people, and their purpose-led innovation. I want to ensure they have every opportunity to make the impact that the world needs. We will not succeed if we try to do this while also trying to transform global food systems.

"We will not succeed if we try to do this while also trying to transform global food systems."

As a global leader in the science behind better health and nutrition, we have the opportunity, capability, and therefore responsibility to apply our resources and expertise where they can have the greatest impact. The IPCC report offered some hope that there is still time to make a difference. We need bold actions, now.