Royal DSM, a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials, has been named the worldwide leader in the Materials industry group in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index published today. DSM has consistently been recognized for integrating sustainability into its business, having been named among the global leaders in each of the last 13 years and holding the number one position in the sector seven times.

Feike Sijbesma, CEO and Chairman of the DSM Managing Board, commented: “We are very proud to again be named the global leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. For DSM, sustainability is more than a responsibility; it is our company’s core value and an important business driver. Business has an invaluable role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the COP21 climate deal. Our skills and competencies to address the global challenges allow DSM to make a real difference, creating brighter lives for people today and generations to come.

DSM has identified three key focus areas in sustainability where its core business competencies closely intersect with identified global societal trends that are affecting people, economies and markets, largely driven by demographic change: Nutrition; Climate Change; and Circular Economy and Bio-based. DSM is working closely together with cross-sector partners to further develop sustainable growth platforms in these areas.

Integrating sustainability with DSM’s core business activities has already shown to be a significant business driver. An increasingly important part of DSM’s portfolio is made up of its ECO+ and People+ products, which deliver environmental or social benefits versus competing mainstream products that fulfill the same function. These high-growth, higher margin products are collectively known as DSM’s Brighter Living Solutions and currently make up 61% of total sales. The company aims to increase this proportion to 65% by 2020.

Fortune Magazine recently included DSM in its 2016 ‘Çhange the World’ list of 50 companies worldwide that are making an important social or environmental impact through their profit-making strategy and operations.