The backbone of our innovation

Our scientific capabilities

Putting science to work

We believe that the best way to create brighter lives for all is to apply science to improve the health of people, animals, and the planet.

DSM's scientific capabilities form the backbone of innovation at DSM, covering specific aspects of scientific insight and expertise. They range from knowledge and best practices accumulated over time, to the advanced technological equipment and facilities we use today. Most importantly, they include the skills, expertise, curiosity, tenacity - and networks - of the many talented scientific minds that work with and for us.

Analytical Sciences

Our Analytical Sciences capabilities cover a range of expertise and techniques for identifying substances up to the molecular level and revealing their structure, composition, and properties.

Analytical Sciences are applied throughout DSM, from developing vitamins to enzymes for food, enabling us to cross-pollinate and explore how the value of one specific analytical technology in a particular application area can be used to develop products and processes in completely different fields.

Biological Sciences

Using nature’s toolbox, like microorganisms, we can develop solutions that allow us to feed a growing population more sustainably, while reducing food loss and waste, fighting climate change, avoiding natural resource depletion, and preserving biodiversity. Through our world-class R&D and manufacturing facilities, DSM possesses the full range of biotechnology capabilities needed to identify and develop new molecules, applications, and processes – and to commercialize them at scale.

Download the Royal DSM: a world leader in biotechnology booklet for more of an insight into the history and potential of biotechnology, the innovations driven by it, and the way DSM is advancing the use of this amazing technology. 

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Chemical Sciences

Our Chemical Sciences capabilities deliver the expertise and techniques that transform raw material into molecular building blocks and products that are better for people and the planet. We achieve it by breaking and creating bonds between atoms and steering their rearrangement in the desired direction to create sustainable ingredients for nutrition and health formulations – like our feed supplement Bovaer that can reduce livestock methane emissions by up to 30%; methane that would otherwise be trapping heat in the atmosphere and warming up our planet.

Engineering Sciences

Our Engineering Sciences capabilities cover the expertise and tools needed to develop bioprocesses for converting various renewable raw materials into sustainable products and applications at scale. For instance, Engineering Sciences support with the development of industrial fermentation processes that allow us to make products such as vitamins and food ingredients.

Nutritional Sciences

Our Nutritional Science capabilities enable us to create a wide range of nutritional solutions for both animals and humans. Using these capabilities, we drive scientific advances in, among others, human milk oligosaccharides, nutritional lipids, carotenoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vitamins. Our ambition is to deliver science-based, sustainable solutions for animal and human nutrition and health, and to address the challenges of a growing population on a planet with finite resources.

Biomedical Materials


Our biomedical materials capabilities help producing some of the most advanced biomedical materials and regenerative medical devices in the world. Our technologies, along with our expertise and drive for innovation, provide solutions that improve clinical success – benefiting millions of patients annually across areas that include cardiovascular, dental, diabetes management, gynaecology, neurology, ophthalmology, orthopaedic, plastic & reconstructive surgery, soft tissue and wound management.

Digital transformation of our scientific capabilities

Advanced digital technologies are more and more critical for capturing new opportunities, and we continue to increase our investments in the digital transformation of our science and innovation capabilities such as in Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, deep learning and modeling, as well as extending lab automation. These investments are accelerating our core processes, increasing our operational efficiency, and improving the speed of our innovation processes and delivery.

Artificial intelligence lab for bioscience research

One of our investments is in the Artificial Intelligence bioscience research lab AI4B.io at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. This center is developing deep understanding of how AI can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of developing bio-based products and production technologies.

Translational Science

Another example of digitization is our translational science program, where we have a dedicated team combining digital and analytics specialists who work in cross-functional groups drawn from across R&D, Innovation, Regulatory, IP, Marketing, Sales, and other departments to work collaboratively on data-driven, market-valued, customer-centric innovations.

Read more

  • Science & Innovation

    Science & Innovation

    At DSM our science & innovation is ensuring brighter lives for all in three defining areas of Nutrition & Health, Climate & Energy and Resources & Circularity.

  • Our businesses

    Our businesses

    DSM's companies span a range of human and animal health and nutrition businesses.

  • Our heritage

    Our heritage

    How did we transform over the past century from Dutch coal mining to a global science-based leader in health, nutrition and bioscience?