Transforming Pharma Sustainability: dsm-firmenich’s Nature and Climate Strategy

In the following interview, dsm-firmenich shows how they are leading the way in pharmaceutical sustainability by addressing key challenges, aligning with the UN SDGs, and driving innovative solutions to build resilient supply chains and reduce environmental impact.

What are the most crucial challenges in sustainability in pharma today, and how do the goals at dsm-firmenich address these? 

dsm-firmenich identify several challenges in sustainability in the pharmaceutical industry, which have developed focused actions plans to target through our work. These include covering: 

•    Environment transparency and carbon footprint 
We have an ambitious sustainability programme and commitments that cover a range of sustainable development goals in line with external wider goals. Internally, we have robust LCA expertise and have just launched our Verilege™ expert services offer. 
Resources: esg-factbook-2025.pdf (page 6 and 16), Downloads - dsm-firmenich Integrated Annual Report 2024, Sustainability expert services are embraced and offered via the Verilege™ programme.  

•    Biodiversity and nature strategy
     We are currently in the process of designing our 2030 Nature strategy to protect and restore nature, especially in high-value and high-risk supply chains, further embedding nature into our operations, our value chains and on a landscape level (we are designing our nature strategy and nature transition action plan).

•    Human rights in the value chain
We have a human rights policy and programme, as well as a suppliers’ engagement programme in place to ensure wider and adoption and compliance of these values.
Resources: esg-factbook-2025.pdf (page 14)

•    Ecotoxicity and Water Pollution
dsm-firmenich has established a comprehensive framework to support responsible water stewardship, embedding water management into its broader Climate and Nature agenda. The company aligns with internal policies and external frameworks, integrates climate and nature goals across teams, and promotes accountability through transparent reporting. Recognising the critical importance of water for human well-being, ecosystems, and business processes, dsm-firmenich strives to minimise its impact on water resources by reducing consumption, treating wastewater to high standards, and engaging in partnerships to advance environmental stewardship.
Resources: esg-factbook-2025.pdf (page 20)

•    Supply chain sustainability
To support our business growth and maximise positive impact, our procurement teams collaborate with more than 30,000 tier 1 suppliers and tier-N strategic and exposed suppliers through a responsible sourcing framework that promotes ethical, traceable, and sustainable value chains. Guided by our ‘Join Forces’ Supplier Engagement Programme and aligned with sustainability objectives, this framework is embedded into our decision-making and led by our responsible sourcing team, which reports to the Chief Procurement Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer to ensure strong alignment with our Sustainability Group's objectives and our sourcing decision-making process.  
Resources: esg-factbook-2025.pdf (page 30)

•    Digital sustainability 
dsm-firmenich runs digital programmes in production to improve processes and reporting, among others.

•    Managing waste
Resource efficiency remains a vital lever in securing the sustainable use of raw materials, water, and effective waste handling. To protect nature and reduce harm to human health and the environment, we rigorously manage both hazardous and process waste. All sites are required to implement management systems that ensure compliance with local regulations, and wherever feasible, surpass them. Waste management serves as a foundation for broader resource efficiency, with waste increasingly being valorised as a feedstock for other industrial applications. At dsm-firmenich, nature not only drives innovation, but also shapes resource use in product development. 
Resources: esg-factbook-2025.pdf (page 21)

How do dsm-firmenich's pharmaceutical initiatives align with specific United Nations Sustainable Development Goals?

Our sustainability efforts are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), guiding both what we do (our products and solutions) and how we do it (the way we operate). We nurture a healthier, more inclusive, and equitable world for people – within our company and around the world – and foster a net zero world where ecosystems flourish, nature regenerates, and planetary resources are preserved. Through these efforts, we primarily contribute to SDGs 2, 3, and 12, while also supporting SDGs 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, and 13. 
Resources: esg-factbook-2025.pdf (page 6)

In what innovative ways are dsm-firmenich aiming to achieve these goals?

Our company aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals through several key initiatives. For SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, we focus on our energy transition programme, which promotes renewable energy and improves energy efficiency. In support of SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, we are strongly committed to human rights, building partnerships, and supporting local communities. For SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, we have set clear Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reduction targets to minimise our environmental impact. Finally, for SDG 13: Climate Action, we drive sustainability through ambitious carbon reduction strategies and climate resilience efforts.

How does dsm-firmenich help its partners in the pharmaceutical market to achieve their own sustainability goals?

Our company demonstrates its commitment to sustainability through a range of impactful initiatives. Overall, we go beyond addressing climate change by implementing DSM-Firmenich’s sustainability commitments, programmes, and targets, which include our nature strategy focused on preserving water and biodiversity. We also prioritise close collaboration with our customers, fostering strong relationships to understand their challenges and provide tailored support. Additionally, we offer the Verilege™ sustainability expert service, which includes completing customer sustainability questionnaires, sharing the Imp’Act Card™, providing carbon footprint insights, access to expert advice, and joint development projects—all aligned with our customer service standards.

With increasing global disruptions, how are you building more sustainable and resilient pharmaceutical supply chains?

Data and collaboration are key to driving our delivery. We do this through enhancing industry collective action, and by embedding Scope 3 in sourcing targets. Collaboration with strategic suppliers, e.g. via a supplier event for climate pledge to engage our most emitting suppliers into our climate journey.

We also ensure access to our ingredients via a worldwide network of strategically located production facilities and so help de-risk our customers’ supply chain.

How do you see the pharmaceutical industry evolving over the next decade in terms of sustainability practices?

There is increasing global pressure to integrate sustainability into business and operations, where environmental compliance is becoming a structured regulatory requirement. However, while some governments are supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturing to reduce dependency on imports and promote self-sufficiency, the industry as a whole still faces mounting expectations to reduce its environmental footprint and embrace more sustainable practices.

There is a clear need for a stringent and standardised policy framework and transition toward more sustainable, environmentally responsible operations.