Leading in white biotech

The Netherlands has a long history in traditional fermentation of such products as beer, cheese and yoghurt. These skills have proved to be an excellent base for modern, industrial fermentation. It led to a strong Dutch white biotech sector ranking among the world’s top five white biotech clusters and being a leading player in basic and applied research in this field.



The Netherlands is especially renowned for its work on complex molecules and compounds with high added value. The Dutch fermentation industry generates annual revenues of € 10 billion (US$12 billion) and includes multinationals such as Unilever, DSM, Heineken and AKZO NOBEL.

World class player DSM

With its Vision 2005 strategy DSM is transforming itself into a producer of specialties; high quality biotechnological products for the life science industry and world class performance materials. Today, innovation is the force driving DSM's transformation into one of the world's leading specialty chemicals companies, with a strong focus on life science products and performance materials. The company develops innovative products and services which contribute to the quality of life. Chief Technology Officer Emmo Meijer: “Our proactive, customer-focused R&D activities form an integral part of our business process, as we translate developments in the world around us into commercial solutions, while simultaneously building on our extensive expertise and knowledge. We're able to do this thanks to our unique culture, in which great ideas flourish and are rewarded, calculated risks are permissible, and people are driven by a passion for real innovation.” DSM proves that the Netherlands with its excellent science and business infrastructure is home to one of the world class players in the field of life sciences and is a fertile environment for international cooperation.