A cutting-edge strategic initiative “We Make It Possible” is a mission to lead a robust and achievable transformation worldwide in sustainable animal protein production, and to accelerate solutions that will foster a brighter future. The new initiative reflects the company’s commitment not only to be part of the value chain but to be a change agent, steering the global conversations, connecting various stakeholders of the farming ecosystem, thinking ahead, generating ideas, and new ways of working.
It is not an impossible challenge
One core tenet of We Make It Possible, for example, is to meet the demand for animal protein that is rising alongside the growing population. Over time, this need for ever-increasing quantities of animal protein, which is already placing tremendous pressure on the planet’s finite natural resources will lead to significant environmental strain, and take our food systems well beyond the planet’s boundaries. The time to change is now – it is not an impossible challenge.
Though sustainability has been the DSM agenda for a long time, whether it was DSM partnership with Evonik or introducing a methane-reducing feed additive and many such announcements, Achyuth Iyengar, Director Speciality Solutions Animal Nutrition& Health DSM APAC shares how this new strategy is different.
The We Make It Possible initiative comes after many years of investment and innovation in scientific solutions aimed at providing real answers to the challenges facing the agriculture industry, and marks not a new beginning, but a significant acceleration of the journey towards a more sustainable future. DSM embed sustainability as a business driver and enable its customers and partners to deliver sustainable and healthy solutions for the planet and society, creating brighter lives for all.
Difference between developed and developing economies
Sharing his thoughts on difference between two economies, he says the scale of the industry certainly happens to be much bigger for the developed markets. The concept of sustainability in developed markets are more about traceability and adoption of environmentally friendly processes, often due to consumer and retailer pressures, whereas in developing markets it is more about survival & better profitability for the farmers.
Moreover, consolidation is a feature of developed markets where many large integrators are there in the market with a major chunk of the industry share while developing markets such as India do have a massive market fragmentation.
Action Plan
For too long, sustainability has been someone else’s problem, a problem for tomorrow. The company believes it can make animal farming sustainable – from a social, financial, and environmental perspective – by leading on tangible and actionable solutions that cater to the customer.
The company is igniting this belief and commitment internally, leading by example with the following goals to be achieved by 2030:
- reduce its own GHG emissions by 30%
- 75% of power to be renewably sourced
- increase its energy efficiency by 1%
The company have been recognized as leaders in sustainability: DSM is ranked #1 globally by Sustainalytics, AAA rating in MSCI, with a prime score in ISS-Oekom and a leading position in Vigeo and platinum status in the Ecovadis rating. DSMs climate change strategy received an A-rating from CDP.
The unique approach of the company is that it sees sustainability in terms of both input and output—not only how much is it consuming, but also what is it doing to reduce what it is putting into the world. That is what the We Make It Possible initiative is about. The company cannot do this alone but is making it possible by closely collaborating with the customers to create partnerships and connections that help them to solve the biggest global challenges to generate a fair and more prosperous society for all.
Concrete actions
Improving feed conversion ratios and reducing environmental impact through science is paramount. The company has taken the following steps:
- Veramaris business – sustainable marine resources
- Feed enzyme developments – soy, corn reduction and helping the feed industry use other local feed raw materials and getting more nutrition out of less
- Methane emissions reduction – a unique feed additive
- Nitrogen and phosphorus emissions reduction – nitrogen utilization efficiency improvement and optimized phosphorus use and link to manure
Above initiative reflects the company’s commitment not only to be part of the value chain but to be a change agent, steering the global conversations, connecting the various stakeholders of the farming ecosystem, thinking ahead, generating ideas and new ways of working.
