Innovation & Sustainability
Our innovations are focused on delivering sustainable solutions to meet customer demands for a better environmental footprint and the transition toward a circular and bio-based economy.
Accelerating sustainability value
In 2021, our Materials businesses took further important steps in implementing innovation programs to reduce the environmental impact of their operations and to increase the sustainability value they deliver. In line with its commitment to offer a full portfolio of alternatives that contain at least 25% recycled- and/or bio-based content by 2030, DSM Engineering Materials made specific grades with this profile available for all major product lines in 2021. DSM Engineering Materials accelerated its own carbon footprint and GHG reduction plans and goals during 2021, helping customers futureproof their own portfolios while continuing to differentiate itself in the industry.
DSM Protective Materials, as part of its commitment to sourcing at least 60% of its raw materials from bio-based feedstocks by 2030, made all new personal protection product offerings, as well as all its composite fabrics products for Consumer & Professional Protection, available only in bio-based Dyneema®.
Sustainable innovation through partnerships
It takes partnerships to help bring about a circular and bio-based economy. We have many partnerships and coalitions that support and accelerate customer-driven sustainable innovation.
Examples of our progress through partnerships in 2021 include the following.
Together with Fibrant B.V., a supplier, DSM Engineering Materials announced a significant reduction of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of caprolactam and high-performance polyamide (PA6) production, resulting in a new generation of caprolactam known as EcoLactam®. DSM Engineering Materials can now offer its Akulon® PA6 portfolio (produced in Europe and containing EcoLactam®) as the lowest, best-in-class carbon footprint PA6 on the market.
Initiated by DSM Protective Materials in 2020, our cross-industry coalition of customers, waste processors and recycling companies made significant advances in addressing the recycling of products made with Dyneema® fiber. Working together with the CirculariTeam® members and our supplier SABIC, we produced recycled-based Dyneema® from mixed plastic waste in a pilot project in both a sailing rope (for our customer Marlow Ropes) and a deep-sea trawl net application (for our customer Gleistein), thus applying circular economy principles throughout the value chain.
