Novozymes and DSM Among Leading Dow Jones Sustainability Index Companies

Since 2004 DSM ranked three times amongst the very top leaders in the sector and has held the worldwide sustainability leader position in the chemicals sector six times.

14 Sep 2012 --- The 2012 results of the annual Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI) review have been announced by SAM, the investment boutique focused exclusively on Sustainability Investing, and S&P Dow Jones Indices, the leading global index provider.

Again in 2012, Novozymes is the most sustainable company in the "Biotechnology" sector of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. The company heads the rankings in its sector for the eleventh time.

"By bagging the No. 1 position, once again, we have proven that sustainability is an integrated part of how we do business. The DJSI considers business performance measured on economic, environmental and social indicators, and thus, our ranking clearly illustrates how sustainability is woven into every aspect of our business,” says Novozymes’ Vice President of Finance, Mads Bodenhoff. “The overall results this year also highlight that the competition within the sustainability performance has sharpened within the industry. Constant improvement is necessary to maintain leadership in this quickly evolving field.”

Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, is again amongst the leaders in the chemical industry sector in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. Since 2004 DSM ranked three times amongst the very top leaders in the sector and has held the worldwide sustainability leader position in the chemicals sector six times.

Feike Sijbesma, CEO and Chairman of the DSM Managing Board, said: “We are very proud to once again be amongst the leaders in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. Sustainability is not only about compliance or corporate social responsibility. It has become a business driver based on our core values. Throughout DSM sustainability is integrated in how we do business. Our products and solutions positively contribute to the world’s current and future challenges.”

The share of ECO+ products in DSM’s running business portfolio increased to 42% in the first half of 2012 compared to 39% the same period a year before. This is in line with DSM’s efforts to expand ECO+ products in its portfolio and demonstrates that ECO+ products are increasingly well received by customers. DSM’s products enable customers to produce lighter cars, more efficient solar panels and more environmentally friendly paints.

As the leading producer of nutritional ingredients, including vitamins and micronutrients, DSM provides nutrition solutions to close vitamin intake gaps, improve lives and lower health care costs. DSM has become a leader in healthy nutritional ingredients, such as nutritional lipids like DHA/Omega-3 fatty acids. There is substantial scientific evidence that nutritional lipids provide significant health benefits and support brain, eye, and cardiovascular health throughout life.

With POET DSM has established a joint venture for cellulosic bioethanol, which will use corn crop residues. DSM will be one of the first leaders moving into this field of advanced biofuels. In Biomedical, DSM has built strong positions in bio-passive, bio-active and bio-interactive materials, addressing the fact that life expectancy continues to increase and people want to remain physically active.

DSM also further built its global Public Private Partnerships, such as the long standing collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme to fight malnutrition and several initiatives to combat climate change.

PepsiCo, Inc. announced that it has been recognized by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for the company's leadership in promoting sustainable business practices. 

PepsiCo has now been named a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index seven times and the World Index six times.   

The CDP represents 655 institutional investors with $78 trillion in assets, and its indices highlight companies that have displayed a strong approach to information disclosure regarding climate change.  It's the second consecutive year that PepsiCo has been named to the CDP Global and S&P 500 Leadership Indices. 

"PepsiCo's Performance with Purpose strategy is built on sustainable business practices that optimize our near-term operating efficiency and profitability while ensuring that we are well positioned to deliver long-term business growth," said Indra Nooyi, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo.

Paul Simpson, chief executive officer of CDP, commented: "Companies that make the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index have demonstrated strong internal data management practices for the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions and energy use.  They are also giving clear consideration to the business issues related to climate change and their exposure to climate-related risks and opportunities. This is vital to realizing greater efficiencies, protecting the business from risk and capitalizing on opportunities."

ConAgra Foods, Inc., one of North America’s leading packaged food companies, today announced that it has been named to two leading sustainability indices. For the second straight year the company has earned a spot on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and for the first time, the company has been added to the Carbon Disclosure Project’s (CDP’s) 2012 Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index.