Safeguarding our people and the planet

Leading by example

Our operations

At DSM we take our responsibilities seriously - whether it’s looking after our own people around the world, or the planet we all share.

Our people

Safeguarding, nurturing and developing our increasingly diverse workforce is a top priority for DSM. In fact, today our employees represent more than 110 nationalities (a huge transformation from 2001 when nearly half of our people were Dutch).

Health & Safety

At DSM, we aim to continue reducing the Frequency Index of Recordable Injuries – which is based on the number of fatalities, lost or restricted workday cases, or medical treatment cases per 100 DSM employees and contractors in one year. The goal is to reduce frequency to less than or equal to 0.20 in 2027. In 2022, the Frequency Index of all DSM Recordable Injuries deteriorated from 0.22 to 0.28; not where we aspire to be.

Our approach to safety is guided by our Life Saving Rules; our Safety, Health & Environmental (SHE) policy; various ongoing process improvements and competency training, in particular at sites with the highest number of incidents; and a focus on learning from previous incidents.

As a Health, Nutrition & Bioscience company, we also continuously invest in the health and well-being of our workforce. Our strategy equips and empowers our employees to take care of their health and well-being in a sustainable way. We do this via global initiatives, such as our efforts to create the optimal hybrid working conditions, and regional initiatives. For example, in Europe, we supported employees to balance their mental and physical wellbeing, and in China we supported our people during the COVID-19 lockdowns.  

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

For a science company like DSM, diversity of backgrounds, experiences, cultures and opinions is essential if we want to achieve our united purpose of creating brighter lives for all. There are many aspects of inclusion & diversity that matter to DSM, including age, nationality, culture, ethnic background, gender, and religion (to name but a few). We continue to work to ensure that all our people feel included and cared for. Our DE&I strategy focuses on four areas – Human rights, Living wage, Pay parity and Hybrid working.

Our Environmental Footprint

Responsibility for our operations covers some 200 DSM sites and offices in nearly 50 countries (and extends to our suppliers, customers and end-users - for example, through our Brighter Living Solutions Plus).

DSM is committed to being transparent about its sustainability performance. The company has set ambitious company-wide sustainability aspirations. Our key environmental targets are our Science Based Targets, comprising a greenhouse gas (GHG) Scope 1 + 2 emission absolute reduction of 59% (increased from 50% in 2022) and a GHG Scope 3 intensity reduction of 28% by 2030 versus our 2016 baseline. These were reviewed and approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and are the foundation for achieving our net zero by 2050 commitment.

We will achieve this target through a wide-ranging number of actions across all our operations, including:

  •   Renewable electricity: 100% of purchased electricity to be sourced from renewables by 2030 at the latest
  •   Energy efficiency improvement: an average year-on-year improvement of at least 1% until 2030
  •   Supply chain engagement: engaging with our suppliers on emissions reduction through our CO2REDUCE program

In addition to our greenhouse gas targets and supporting actions, our DSM Responsible Care Plan includes the following environmental targets:

  •   Water efficiency: Improve water withdrawal efficiency in water-stressed areas by 10% by 2030 versus 2020.
  •   Improved waste efficiency: Improve year-on-year process-related waste efficiency
  •   Linear waste management: An absolute landfill reduction of 50% by 2030 versus 2020

Furthermore, as part of our SHE Requirements, we minimize hazardous landfill. We follow the waste hierarchy to divert hazardous waste from landfill.

DSM’s progress towards other environmental footprint reductions targets is published in the company’s Annual Report.

Key environmental indicators 2022

The table below shows DSM’s footprint for key environmental indicators in 2022.

Divestments are reported until the moment of divestment. Acquisitions in the first half of a given year are included in the reporting scope of the year after acquisition. Acquisitions in the second half of a given year are included in the reporting scope of the year following the first full year after acquisition.

(x million tons)2022
2021202020192018
Total CO2e emissions (Scope 1 and 2)
- Market based
1.051.211.241.171.23
Total Scope 1 CO2e emission0.570.610.620.630.76
Direct fuels Scope-1 CO2e emissions0.540.570.580.590.73
Non-fuel Scope 1 CO2e emissions0.030.040.040.040.03
Total Scope 2 CO2e emissions0.480.590.620.540.47
Total Scope 3 CO2e emissions19.911.71211.611.3
Purchased goods and services7.79.49.89.49.0
Other upstream categories0.70.70.70.70.9
End-of-life treatment1.11.11.11.0000.9
Investments0.20.20.20.30.3
Other downstream categories0.20.20.20.20.2
1 Due to rounding, the numbers presented  may not add up to the total scope 3 emissions.

(in TJ)20222021202020192018
Total (net) primary energy consumed19,50021,40021,50021,20020,800
Total electricity purchased4,5704,8004,5204,5603,910
 Purchased non-renewable electricity9901,3401,8302,2802,300
 Purchased renewable electricity3,5803,4602,6902,2701,610
Total electricity self-generated1,4101,5701,5401,2901,600
 Non-renewable electricity self-generated1,4001,5601,5201,2801,590
Renewable electricity self-generated101015815
Non-renewable electricity, exported630710710540550
Renewable electricity, exported00110
Non-renewable fuel consumption9,2709,8109,8309,86011,900
Coal consumed001103601,080
Diesel/gas oil consumed290150220180250
Natural gas consumed7,9508,6508,6108,4609,770
Other non-renewable fuel consumed1,0301,010890860800
Renewable fuel consumption210296271255285
Biogas consumed120169147131128
Biomass liquid consumed000--
Biomass solid consumed212811--
Other renewable fuel consumed6999111123157
Total heat purchased4,7605,3004,8504,0002,570
Non-renewable heat, purchased4,0104,5904,2603,4602,540
Renewable heat, purchased75071059054030
Total heat self-generated5,6305,7606,0406,3407,480
Non-renewable heat self-generated5,4505,5105,7906,1107,280
Renewable heat self-generated180250246222208
Total heat exported325370385385715
Non-renewable heat exported315355370355665
Renewable heat exported1015153050
(in tons)2022 2021202020192018
Recycled waste (%)91%86%85%86%283%
Total process related non-hazardous waste110,000108,900109,1001107,400296,7003
Landfill9,70017,10017,40015,20017,900
Off-site incineration with heat recovery17,20014,70013,90019,2007,660
Off-site incineration without heat recovery1,8002,2004,3003,4003,190
Off-site recovery81,30074,90073,500179,700267,9003
Total process related hazardous waste72,60086,40080,600184,90081,800
Landfill1,1001,7001,1501,5602,830
Off-site incineration with heat recovery35,90040,90034,200127,60024,700
Off-site incineration without heat recovery4,6005,5007,3006,3008,980
Off-site recovery31,00038,30037,90049,50045,300
Non-process related waste2,7508,4009,8005,10026,900
Landfill9101,2507301,7505,940
Off-site incineration28021030070200
Off-site recovery31,5606,9008,8003,30020,700

1 Restated due to a correction at multiple locations. See the Integrated Annual Report 2021 for details.
2 Restated due to a correction at one location. See the Integrated Annual Report 2020 for details.
3 Restated due to a correction at two locations. See the Integrated Annual Report 2019 for details.

(x million m3)2022 2021202020192018
Total water withdrawal110106108111114
Water withdrawal in water-stressed areas110.610.910.5--
Water withdrawal for non-once-through cooling25.625.823.622.622.1
Ground water6.56.15.26.07.3
Potable (tap) water
12.914.213.612.19.9
Surface water
5.44.64.84.64.9
From processing raw materials2
0.30.3---
Rain water2
0.50.6---
Emissions to water
35,90040,90034,200127,60024,700
COD (tons)
1,9002,0002,0002,1002,240
Nitrogen (tons)
500470480430460
Phosphorous (tons)7070606060
1 Water stress has been reported as of 2020.
2 New water withdrawal indicators are available as of 2021.
(in tons)2022 2021202020192018
VOC4,600  4,1003,18012,7404,880
SO2810306090
NOX370390340430510
Number of non-monetary sanctions451826
Total monetary value of fines (€)4,300141,00026,000115,10023,500
1 Restated due to a correction at multiple locations. See the Integrated Annual Report 2021 for details.

Historic location reports by region

 APACEuropeNorth AmericaLatin America
Energy and GHG    
Total Primary Energy (PJ)6.88.73.30.8
% Renewable Electricity purchased30%100%100%78%
Total scope 1 + 2 CO2e emissions (x million tons) - Location based0.520.520.230.03
Total scope 1 + 2 CO2e emissions (x million tons) - Market based0.460.460.110.03
Water    
Total Water use for non-once-through-cooling (x million m3)5.715.43.80.77
Total Water consumption (x million m3)1.72.20.90.7
COD (net) (x 1,000 tons)0.11.40.40.9
Waste    
Total Process Related Waste (x 1,000 tons)60882015
Total Recycled Waste (x 1,000 tons)55821414
Total Non-Recycled Waste (x 1,000 tons)4.15.36.01.7
Landfill Non-hazardous (x 1,000 tons)1.21.04.91.5
Landfill Hazardous (x 1,000 tons)0.40.60.00.1
Off-site Incineration without Heat recovery (x 1,000 tons)2.53.80.10.1
% Recycling93%94%69%89%
Emissions to Air and Various    
VOC (tons)3,200790300280
NOX (tons)502009030
SO2 (tons)4220
Number of non-monetary sanctions0040
Total monetary value of fines (€)2,40001,9000
 APACEuropeNorth AmericaLatin America
Energy and GHG    
Total Primary Energy (PJ)7.89.23.60.8
% Renewable Electricity purchased16%100%100%65%
Total scope 1 + 2 CO2e emissions (x million tons) - Location based0.610.470.260.03
Total scope 1 + 2 CO2e emissions (x million tons) - Market based0.570.490.120.02
Water    
Total Water use for non-once-through-cooling (x million m3)6.415.14.10.71
Total Water consumption (x million m3)2.01.81.00.6
COD (net) (x 1,000 tons)0.11.50.40.0
Waste    
Total Process Related Waste (x 1,000 tons)65942115
Total Recycled Waste (x 1,000 tons)60851411
Total Non-Recycled Waste (x 1,000 tons)4.99.57.44.7
Landfill Non-hazardous (x 1,000 tons)1.64.27.34.1
Landfill Hazardous (x 1,000 tons)0.80.80.00.0
Off-site Incineration without Heat recovery (x 1,000 tons)2.54.50.10.6
% Recycling92%90%65%69%
Emissions to Air and Various    
VOC (x 1,000 tons)2.70.80.30.4
NOX (x 1,000 tons)0.020.20.10.02
SO2 (x 1,000 tons)0.010.00.00.0
Number of non-monetary sanctions0050
Total monetary value of fines (€ x 1,000)413070
 APACEuropeNorth AmericaLatin America
Energy and GHG    
Total Primary Energy (PJ)7.19.34.40.8
% Renewable Electricity purchased1.0%100.0%61.0%69.0%
Total scope 1 + 2 CO2e emissions (x million tons) - Location based0.550.580.270.27
Total scope 1 + 2 CO2e emissions (x million tons) - Market based0.550.490.180.21
Water    
Total Water use (x million m3)5.997.64.040.65
Total Water consumption (x million m3)5.912.94.040.65
COD (net) (x 1,000 tons)0.11.50.30
Waste    
Total Process Related Waste (x 1,000 tons)64972519
Total Recycled Waste (x 1,000 tons)59851615
Total Non-Recycled Waste (x 1,000 tons)51294
- Landfill Non-hazardous (x 1,000 tons)1673
- Landfill Hazardous (x 1,000 tons)0100
- Off-site Incineration without Heat recovery (x 1,000 tons)4521
% Recycling92%88%62%80%
Emissions to Air and Various    
VOC (x 1,000 tons)1.610.30.7
NOX (x 1,000 tons)0.030.20.10
SO2 (x 1,000 tons)0.02000
Number of non-monetary sanctions00180
Total monetary value of fines (€ x 1,000)26000
 APACEuropeNorth AmericaLatin America
Energy and GHG    
Total Primary Energy (PJ)5.910.14.40.8
% Renewable Electricity purchased0.361.369.364.7
Total scope 1 + 2 CO2e emissions (x million tons) - Location based0.460.590.300.04
Total scope 1 + 2 CO2e emissions (x million tons) - Market based0.460.500.190.03
Water    
Total Water use (x million m3)4.28101.104.730.77
Total Water consumption (x million m3)4.2812.804.730.77
COD (net) (x 1,000 tons)0.11.70.30.0
Waste    
Total Process Related Waste (x 1,000 tons)411002952
Total Recycled Waste (x 1,000 tons)38931947
Total Non-Recycled Waste (x 1,000 tons)37115
- Landfill Non-hazardous (x 1,000 tons)1293
- Landfill Hazardous (x 1,000 tons)0101
- Off-site Incineration without Heat recovery (x 1,000 tons)2421
% Recycling91%93%63%91%
Emissions to Air and Various    
VOC (x 1,000 tons)0.81.00.30.6
NOX (x 1,000 tons)0.00.20.10
SO2 (x 1,000 tons)0.05000
Number of non-monetary sanctions0200
Total monetary value of fines (€ x 1,000)8812150
 APACEuropeNorth AmericaLatin America
Energy and GHG    
Total Primary Energy (PJ)5.110.64.80.4
% Renewable Electricity purchased0.260.537.166.0
Total scope 1 + 2 CO2e emissions (x million tons) - Location based0.420.660.290.02
Total scope 1 + 2 CO2e emissions (x million tons) - Market based0.460.570.230.01
Water    
Total Water use (x million m3)3.98104.694.780.36
Total Water consumption (x million m3)3.9812.974.780.36
COD (net) (x 1,000 tons)0.21.70.30.0
Waste    
Total Process Related Waste (x 1,000 tons)42962910
Total Recycled Waste (x 1,000 tons)3988136
Total Non-Recycled Waste (x 1,000 tons)48164
- Landfill Non-hazardous (x 1,000 tons)23103
- Landfill Hazardous (x 1,000 tons)0001
- Off-site Incineration without Heat recovery (x 1,000 tons)1570
% Recycling91%91%46%57%
Emissions to Air and Various    
VOC (x 1,000 tons)3.00.90.30.8
NOX (x 1,000 tons)0.10.30.10
SO2 (x 1,000 tons)0.08000
Number of non-monetary sanctions0240
Total monetary value of fines (€ x 1,000)17520
 APACEuropeNorth AmericaLatin America
Energy and GHG    
Total Primary Energy (PJ)6.411.750.5
% Renewable Electricity purchased1%25%24%56%
Total scope 1 + 2 CO2e emissions (x million tons) - Location based0.580.680.290.02
Total scope 1 + 2 CO2e emissions (x million tons) - Market based0.580.660.250.02
Water    
Total Water use (x million m3)5.5103.250.4
Total Water consumption (x million m3)5.512.650.4
COD (net) (x 1,000 tons)0.31.70.40.1
Waste    
Total Process Related Waste (x 1,000 tons)521043610
Total Recycled Waste (x 1,000 tons)4894244
Total Non-Recycled Waste (x 1,000 tons)410126
- Landfill Non-hazardous (x 1,000 tons)34103
- Landfill Hazardous (x 1,000 tons)0102
- Off-site Incineration without Heat recovery (x 1,000 tons)1530
% Recycling92%91%65%44%
Emissions to Air and Various    
VOC (x 1,000 tons)4.90.90.20.6
NOX (x 1,000 tons)0.30.30.10
SO2 (x 1,000 tons)0.2700.010
Number of non-monetary sanctions0040
Total monetary value of fines (€ x 1,000)128000
 APACEuropeNorth AmericaLatin America
Energy and GHG    
Total Primary Energy (PJ)511.95.30.4
% Renewable Electricity purchased1%12%0%57%
Total scope 1 + 2 CO2e emissions (x million tons) - Location based0.440.710.290.02
Total scope 1 + 2 CO2e emissions (x million tons) - Market based0.440.690.290.02
Water    
Total Water use (x million m3)5.294.34.50.2
Total Water consumption (x million m3)5.2124.50.2
COD (net) (x 1,000 tons)0.21.90.30
Waste    
Total Process Related Waste (x 1,000 tons)5298399
Total Recycled Waste (x 1,000 tons)4587294
Total Non-Recycled Waste (x 1,000 tons)611106
- Landfill Non-hazardous (x 1,000 tons)4275
- Landfill Hazardous (x 1,000 tons)0100
- Off-site Incineration without Heat recovery (x 1,000 tons)2930
% Recycling88%89%74%39%
Emissions to Air and Various    
VOC (x 1,000 tons)7.30.90.20.5
NOX (x 1,000 tons)0.40.30.10
SO2 (x 1,000 tons)0.3200.010
Number of non-monetary sanctions1010
Total monetary value of fines (€ x 1,000)26020

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