Innovation partner for Nutrition, Health & Beauty: nutrients, flavors, fragrances and ingredient solutions for global consumer and industrial segments
dsm-firmenich AG
Kaiseraugst (CH) · Basel (CH) · Maastricht (NL)New on Amplifa
About dsm-firmenich
dsm-firmenich is a publicly listed provider of ingredients and solutions for nutrition, health and beauty. The company develops and produces vitamins, functional nutrients, flavors, fragrances, enzymes and specialized active ingredients based on biotechnology, green chemistry and nature-inspired extraction processes. The value chain ranges from sugar fermentation and bio-conversion via supercritical fluid extraction and molecular distillation to premix manufacturing and the formulation of tablet dosage forms. Industries served include food and beverages, infant and medical nutrition, dietary supplements, personal care, fine perfumery, home care and industrial applications. The company is headquartered in Maastricht (Netherlands); the head office of the Beauty & Care business is located in Kaiseraugst (Switzerland). With around 21,000 employees and revenue of over €9 billion (Continuing Operations), the company supplies customers worldwide through a network of production, application and distribution sites.
- Site
- CH-4303 Kaiseraugst
- Processes
- Fermentation (Sugar Fermentation / Biotechnology), Bio-conversion (Bio-conversion techniques), Green Chemistry, Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), Solvent extraction, NaturePrint® (headspace analysis and reconstruction), Molecular distillation, Infusion (maceration in alcohol)
- Materials
- Renewable carbon (sugar/sugarcane raw material), Sugar-based fermentation, Bio-conversion, Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), Molecular distillation, Solvent extraction, Steam distillation / Naturome, NaturePrint®
- Certificates
- ISO 9001, FSSC 22000, Halal / Kosher
- Employees
- ~21,000 (Continuing
- Industries
- Food and beverages, Beverages and brewing, Dairy and cheese, Pet Food, Bakery & Cereals, Confectionery
- 01
Raw material sourcing (natural and renewable raw materials)
- 02
Biotechnology / fermentation
- 03
Extraction and distillation
- 04
Synthesis / green chemistry
- 05
Formulation and premix manufacturing
- 06
Quality assurance and regulatory services
- 07
Distribution via customer portal and distributor network
Raw materials and processes
Sugar-based fermentation
Production of fragrance ingredients from 100% renewable carbon (sugar/sugarcane) with stable quality and reliable supply.
Bio-conversion
Conversion of substrates into high-value molecules using microorganisms and enzymes.
Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE)
Gentle extraction of olfactory and organoleptic compounds from natural materials using supercritical CO2.
Molecular distillation
Fine purification of essential oils and absolutes into colorless, concentrated ingredients.
Solvent extraction
Production of resinoids and absolutes from natural materials such as rose blossoms.
Steam distillation / Naturome
Extraction of essential oils from flowers, spices and gum resins with authentic aromatic profiles.
NaturePrint®
Headspace analysis and technological reconstruction of the scent of 'mute' flowers.
Green chemistry
Development of renewable molecules according to the 12 principles of green chemistry.
Premix manufacturing
Customized, homogeneous blends of macro- and micronutrients in a single premix.
Powder technologies
Wet granulation, direct compression and tablet coating for oral dosage forms.
Locations
Kaiseraugst
CHHeadquarters Beauty & Care (Wurmisweg 576)
- Materials
- Ingredients for fragrances and personal care
- Application and laboratory infrastructure
Basel
CHP.O. box administration Beauty & Care HQ
Maastricht
NLCompany headquarters (since 2024)
Products and delivery forms
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fermentation (Sugar Fermentation / Biotechnology)Other | – | – | – | – | Sugar (renewable raw material, renewable carbon) |
| Bio-conversion (Bio-conversion techniques)Other | – | – | – | – | – |
| Green ChemistryOther | – | – | – | – | – |
| Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE)Other | – | – | – | – | Natural materials (rose petals, tea, spices, peanuts) |
| Solvent extractionOther | – | – | – | – | Rose petals (natural materials), solvents/ethanol |
| NaturePrint® (headspace analysis and reconstruction)Other | – | – | – | – | – |
| Molecular distillationOther | – | – | – | – | essential oils, absolutes |
| Infusion (maceration in alcohol)Other | – | – | – | – | Natural materials, alcohol |
| Cold expressionOther | – | – | – | – | Citrus peels |
| Distillation (steam distillation)Other | – | – | – | – | Flowers, spices, gum resins (natural materials) |
| Co-extractionOther | – | – | – | – | Natural materials and molecules |
| Pyrogenation (Vulcain process)Other | – | – | – | – | Oils and resinoids |
| Naturome (steam distillation, hydrodistillation, volatile recovery)Other | – | – | – | – | Natural biomass |
| Smell-The-Taste™ (taste-to-fragrance transfer)Other | – | – | – | – | – |
| Wet GranulationOther | – | – | – | – | Powders (active ingredients) |
| Direct CompressionOther | – | – | – | – | Powders (active ingredients) |
| Tablet CoatingSurface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Emulsification, drying and coating (advanced emulsification, drying and coating methods)Other | – | – | – | – | – |
| Powder-catch technologies (improved solubility/cold-water dispersibility)Other | – | – | – | – | – |
| Premix manufacturing (customized blends of functional ingredients)Other | – | – | – | – | Macro- and micronutrients |
Additional services
Quality and certifications
dsm-firmenich operates an integrated quality management system with ISO 9001 and FSSC 22000 certifications as well as Halal and Kosher certifications. In addition, global regulatory services, GMP and ICH-Q7 standards, and clinically grounded scientific services are offered.
| Evidence | Kaiseraugst |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | |
| FSSC 22000 | |
| Halal / Kosher |
Company history
- 1902
Founding of DSM (Dutch State Mines) as a mining company
- 1989
Privatization of DSM
- 2002
Sale of the petrochemicals division to SABIC; acquisition of Hoffmann-La Roche's vitamin/dietary supplement business
- 2011
Acquisitions of Martek, Ocean Nutrition Canada, Fortitech and Tortuga (2011–2013)
- 2014
Clearwood® – first biotechnologically produced fragrance innovation
- 2022
Announcement of the merger of DSM and Firmenich
- 2023
Merger into dsm-firmenich completed (May 9); listing on Euronext Amsterdam (April 18)
- 2024
Official opening of the new headquarters in Maastricht (May 30)
- 2025
Sale of the stakes in the Feed Enzyme Alliance to Novonesis for €1.5 billion
- 2026
Secondary listing on the SIX Swiss Exchange; opening of the Fine Fragrance flagship in New York