Sustainability
Bringing progress to life through sustainable biomaterials (and beyond)
At the Biomedical division of dsm-firmenich, we create sustainable biomaterials, but our scientific expertise and dedication extends much further. It starts with minimizing the footprint of our own operations and extends both upstream to our supply chain and downstream to our partners. It’s all supported by a Safe & Sustainable by Design methodology that we embed into our projects and products at every stage.
As part of the dsm-firmenich family, we use the internationally recognized Science-Based-Targets initiative (SBTi) to measure our Scope 1, 2, and 3 carbon reduction goals
Emission Reduction
59% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and a 28% intensity reduction in scope 3 by 2030.
Net Zero
Net Zero GHG emissions across our operations and value chains by 2050.
Landfill reduction
50% reduction in landfilling by 2030, with a water intake efficiency improvement of 10% by 2030 for our water-stressed sites.
Raising the bar in sustainable healthcare
Improving our operations
We believe that sustainable healthcare starts with reducing the carbon footprint within our own operations. To achieve it - and reach our ultimate goal of Net Zero - we draw upon world-class supply chain expertise, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) capabilities, and proven manufacturing abilities.
Enabling more sustainable finished products
We create sustainable biomaterials that deliver tangible and valuable sustainability benefits to our partners in the medical and pharmaceutical markets. That means solutions that support greater patient healing, while also helping you meet your own sustainability goals.
Advocating for sustainability
Tackling climate change and safeguarding the population is a big job; which is why as part of dsm-firmenich we work with some of the world’s leading names in sustainable development to advocate for a brighter future – including the UN Race to Zero, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and the World Economic Forum.
Sustainable healthcare solutions
Here are just three ways that our biomaterials innovation and expertise is driving greater sustainability in healthcare
TheraPEA™ biodegradable polyester amides
Our TheraPEA™ biodegradable polyester amide platform is a breakthrough in drug delivery solutions for disease prevention & management. It enables the controlled release of therapies which, in turn, unlocks the potential for patients to receive less frequent dosing – with less waste and emissions generated (for example, in needles and packaging).
Bio-based Ulteeva Purity™ UHMWPE fibers
Ulteeva Purity™ (formerly Dyneema Purity®) has long been the gold standard in medical grade Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene fiber. Now, our experts have raised the bar even further by using a 100% bio-based source for this material - with no compromise on performance or price.
ComfortCoat® Single Layer Coating (SLC)
In hydrophilic coatings, our latest innovation is our ComfortCoat® SL Coating - a unique single-layer solution that only needs to be applied once to medical devices, rather than multiple times. Ideal for use in vascular interventions, our SLC platform delivers best-in-class performance – with a reduced carbon footprint, less waste, and the ability to achieve significant operational efficiencies.
Our Safe & Sustainable by Design Methodology
We use a Safe & Sustainable by Design methodology that’s embedded within our project management procedures, driving sustainable innovation into our projects and products at every stage. By integrating sustainability principles into everything that we do – from product design and material selection to manufacturing and lifecycle assessment – we bring added value to our partners through high-performing yet sustainable healthcare solutions that are proven to benefit both people and planet.
Pre-Project
Evaluate a more sustainable health care pathway
Phase 1 Idea Evaluation
Embed more sustainable features into the design
Phase 2 Business Feasibility
Focus on lower footprint of materials, processes, and supply chain
Phase 3 Development
Evaluate safety, efficacy, AND sustainability
Phase 4 & 5 Scale-Up, Validation, Transfer
Reduce manufacturing footprint
Measuring our sustainable goals
Our commitment to transparency and accountability is as strong as our dedication to sustainability itself. This is reflected in the recognition that we receive in Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) ratings and benchmarks.
Due to the sheer number of ESG ratings and benchmarks (an estimated 600, with 2,000 individual ESG reporting indicators) we take part in those that deliver the most value to both dsm-firmenich Biomedical and our stakeholders in terms of minimizing our environmental footprint:
- CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project): We were assessed with an AA rating in 2022 for both our climate and water management strategy.
- EcoVadis: In 2023, we were awarded a platinum CRS (Corporate Social Responsibility) rating, placing our organization in the top 1% of companies rated in our industry.
- Sustainalytics: In 2022, we were assessed by Sustainalytics regarding the risk of experiencing material financial impacts from ESG factors; as a result, we rank in the top fourth percentile in our industry.
We were assessed with an AA rating in 2022 for both our climate and water management strategy.
We were assessed with an AA rating in 2022 for both our climate and water management strategy.
We were assessed with an AA rating in 2022 for both our climate and water management strategy.
Planting for the planet: Living our sustainability values
We are proud to reward our employees by planting a tree in their honor - in our very own dsm-firmenich Biomedical forest. Take a look at their progress.
* The forest is intended for celebratory purposes only and a good way for the dsm-firmenich Biomedical team to further live out our values. The forest is not used for any offsetting purposes.
Avicennia marina
CO2 40 Kg
Anadenanthera colubrina
CO2 800 Kg
Acacia nilotica
CO2 400 Kg
Supporting sustainable development
We strongly believe in the power of sustainable development, which is why our company’s strategy is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). While all SDGs are valued, dsm-firmenich Biomedical specifically uses four of them to drive progress in our business strategy.
We cannot do this alone, so let’s do it together
We are proud to be part of dsm-firmenich – a leading creation and innovation partner in nutrition, health & beauty. Every day, our group strives to bring progress to life for people through a broad portfolio of sustainable solutions: from infant nutrition, to food & beverages, to biomedical materials and solutions that help to improve patient outcomes.
When it comes to achieving greater sustainability in healthcare, we believe that there is no innovation without collaboration. If you would like to know more about how we can work together, please get in touch.
With our employees
Doing something meaningful everyday.
With our partners
Pioneering solutions that enable brighter living.
With our shareholders
Profit with a purpose.
For society
Transforming our world.
-
-
Get In Touch
-
Services
-
Biomaterials Solutions
-
Therapeutic Areas