100+ YEARS OF MATERIAL EXPERTISE

DSM’s transformation from mining to chemicals lifted off in 1919 with the opening of a cookery. In 1930 DSM produced the first fertilizer while the diversification accelerated further post-1945, with a focus on (bulk-) chemicals and petrochemicals. By the time the last coal mine closed in 1973, DSM was fully transformed into a chemical company.  During the 1990s - when the company was privatised - the change continued, transforming DSM further via acquisitions and divestments into a global engineering materials company.

By the end of the 20^th century, DSM entered biotechnology with the acquisitions of Dutch Gist-Brocades, followed by acquisitions of Swiss Roche Vitamins & Fine Chemicals and other companies in the first two decades of the 21^st century, letting the company focus on two strong pillars: Engineering Materials and Nutrition & Health. In 2023, DSM split-up: the materials activities merged with the materials business of Germany-based LANXESS into Envalior, while the Nutrition & Health pillar merged with Swiss-based Firmenich into dsm-firmenich.

Via acquisitions and divestments, the LANXESS Group further transformed into a globally operating chemical enterprise with its core business in the development, manufacturing and marketing of chemical intermediates, additives, specialty chemicals and consumer protection products and with operational businesses grouped into three pillars: Advanced Intermediates, Specialty Additives and Consumer Protection.

In 2023, LANXESS and Advent International - a global private equity investor with a track record in chemicals investments - created a new Joint Venture for high-performance engineering polymers, for which LANXESS and Advent acquired the Engineering Materials business from DSM to merge with LANXESS’ High Performance Materials business into a brand-new global powerhouse for Engineering Materials: Envalior.