Successful launch of vitamin transformation program
In response to the exceptionally challenging macroeconomic environment in the vitamins industry, in mid-2023 the company embarked on a major restructuring program in its vitamin activities to reduce costs and restore profitability. More details on the vitamin transformation program are available under Financial performance.
Collaboration with Grupo Almar for sustainable shrimp farming
Awareness of environmental sustainability has increased noticeably in recent years. This change is particularly evident among downstream players and financial institutions, which have set science-based emissions targets for 2030.
A very good example of the importance of sustainability measurements in the animal protein value chain is our collaboration with Grupo Almar in Ecuador, one of the top five shrimp producers in the world. In September 2023, we entered into a multi-year commitment with Grupo Almar to measure and improve that company’s environmental footprint. This will be done by the deployment of Sustell™, our intelligent sustainability service. Full environmental footprinting of Grupo Almar’s shrimp production commenced in January 2024 and is planned to provide ISO-accredited footprint results for the full year 2024 onwards.
Grupo Almar chose dsm-firmenich and Sustell™ to accurately measure and validate its carbon footprint as part of a full ISO 14040/44-compliant, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)-based environmental footprint.
For more information, see the case study Enabling sustainable aquaculture with Sustell™.
Bovaer® continues to develop momentum
Our methane-reducing feed additive for ruminants, Bovaer®, is now available in 57 countries globally (up from 45 in 2022) and has already reduced our customers’ greenhouse gas footprint by an estimated 75,000 tons of CO2e. Customers (including dairy and beef companies and retailers) around the world continue to pilot and expand the use of Bovaer® in their operations. Construction of the large-scale Bovaer® production plant in Dalry (Scotland) is progressing well and is expected to commence operations as planned in 2025.
Symphiome™ precision biotic
Following its successful launch in August 2022, our precision biotic Symphiome™ achieved an important sales milestone in 2023, passing €5 million in sales.
Symphiome™ is an excellent example of our expanded focus on how the microbiome behaves and influences animal health. It is a first-of-its-kind precision biotic designed to orchestrate microbiome metabolism in poultry flocks in order to support good gut health and growth. Symphiome™ optimizes birds’ resilience to enteric stress, facilitates nutrient utilization, improves welfare, and reduces emissions. It is the first product in our new category of microbe metabolic modulators. Acting on desirable metabolic pathways, Symphiome™ offers benefits for poultry flocks and the environment.
Veramaris® achieves commercial break-through
Veramaris®, our 50:50 partnership with Evonik for algal-based omega-3, enjoyed strong demand in 2023. The sustained growth of Veramaris® is driven by rising demand that is attributable to two factors: the global expansion of aquaculture, and the decline in finite marine resources obtained via wild fishing.
Veramaris® plays an important role in enabling the continued sustainable growth of aquaculture, especially salmon farming. The world’s first Aquaculture Stewardship Council and Marine Stewardship Council (ASC-MSC)-certified microalgae omega-3 oil for fish and shrimp feed, Veramaris® is a highly valuable source of sustainable omega-3 that is rich in both EPA and DHA, produced through a unique fermentation process.
