Royal DSM N.V., the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company headquartered in the Netherlands, presents its seventh annual sustainability report, the Triple P report (People, Planet, Profit) 2008. This year’s report has achieved an A + rating according to the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). This is the highest score companies worldwide can achieve for the transparency of their sustainability reporting efforts.

DSM’s business and sustainability strategy is fueled by four trends: Climate and Energy, Health and Wellness, Functionality and Performance, and Emerging Economies. During 2008 the company continued to implement its sustainability strategy within the framework of these four global trends.

On Climate and Energy most of DSM’s 2010 emission targets have already been achieved. In 2008 DSM reduced its own worldwide greenhouse-gas emissions by more than 30% (compared to 2005) with a significant part realized in the Netherlands - these savings amount to the equivalent of the total CO2 absorbed by trees in this country. With regard to the environmental impact of products DSM developed innovative new products such as halogen-free grades in all relevant product lines of DSM Engineering Plastics for use in laptops, mobile phones and PDA’s and a zero to low VOC waterborne and solvent-based product portfolio for professional painters at DSM Resins. DSM received a grant from the US department of Energy for its innovative biotechnological approach to the production of bio ethanol. DSM also made good progress with the introduction of bio-based processes for feed, food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors.

On Health and Wellness DSM has extended the battle against Hidden Hunger in partnership with others such as the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). It is estimated that as many as 2 billion people across the world live with hidden hunger, micronutrient (vitamin and mineral) deficiency, both in the developed and developing world. It was only last week that the company announced another scientific breakthrough in tackling iron deficiency and malaria that will now be added to the DSM’s MixMe™ sachets. To date, approximately 250,000 thousand people across Nepal, Kenya and Bangladesh have been supplied with DSM’s MixMe™ via the WFP food basket.

From a People perspective significant progress is made. The workforce is more diverse with the majority of management now being non-Dutch (53% versus 45% in 2007) and the percentage women in management increased from 17% in 2007 to 20% in 2008. With regard to safe operations the number of injuries reduced by 25% since 2005. To our deep regret we also had to report a fatality at one of our plants (Venlo, the Netherlands).

Jan Zuidam, Deputy Chairman of the DSM Managing Board, said: “The current economic climate should not divert our attention from the long term issues confronting our world, which involve securing sustainable energy supplies, combating climate change and providing balanced food supplies and health for the globe’s entire population. Our Triple P report 2008 shows we are on the right track, truly committed and well positioned to address these challenges. The quotes of our own people in the report show a lot of commitment throughout the organization.” 

The official launch of DSM’s Triple P report 2008 was combined with the opening of an art exhibition of the artist couple Lucy + Jorge Orta in Heerlen and Sittard, the Netherlands yesterday. DSM and Lucy and Jorge Orta share the same focus regarding global trends and sustainability.