DSM has become the first value chain partner to the International Egg Commission (IEC), the international trade association representing producers of eggs and egg products worldwide. IEC was founded with the goal of fostering international cooperation among all sectors of the egg industry, to their mutual benefit.

Designed to promote sustainable production and drive positive developments in the egg industry, the new value chain partnerships will allow IEC to form close strategic relationships with global organizations to deliver on the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals across the global egg value chain. DSM is the inaugural company to partner with IEC on this basis and has been confirmed as exclusive IEC value chain partner for feed additives and sustainability.

Through the partnership, the two organizations will work together to tackle four key areas of joint interest: environmental sustainability of feed nutrition; human nutrition and poverty alleviation; antimicrobial resistance, and animal welfare.

“Sustainability is a core value of DSM; it’s both a responsibility and a business driver expressed in our ‘Purpose Led, Performance Driven’ strategy,” Dr. David Nickell, vice president sustainability of animal nutrition and health at DSM, said. “With the growing demand for animal protein and the increasing scrutiny on the sustainability of the industry, DSM is well placed to support more sustainable animal production through innovative nutritional solutions and technologies. Teaming up with the IEC makes perfect sense in helping with the sustainable development of the global egg industry.”

IEC chairman Tim Lambert added, “We are committed to help deliver on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. As an IEC value chain partner, DSM has many shared values to help support the development of the egg industry.”

Predictions from the World Resources Institute indicate that global demand for animal-based food will swell by nearly 70% in 2050 versus today. IEC said this will place a strain on the planet’s finite natural resources and the environment.

“Eggs are recognized as having a low environmental footprint compared to other animal protein and offer an affordable, safe and accessible form of nutrition for populations worldwide. As one of the leading producers of micro-nutrition for poultry, DSM’s partnership with the IEC is one of its many commitments to help strengthen the central role of eggs in providing sustainable nutrition for all,” IEC noted.

Dr. Fernando Cisneros, DSM global senior director layers and carotenoids of animal nutrition and health, said, “We believe in the importance of eggs as a valuable component of balanced, healthy nutrition for many across the world. The egg industry has been tremendously successful in meeting the growing demand for eggs as an affordable, accessible, sustainable source of protein. With our depth of knowledge and broad portfolio of products, solutions and services, combined with the expertise of the IEC and its members, we can create further inroads into sustainable egg production together.”

DSM has been a member of IEC since 2011. It is already involved with IEC’s Global Initiative for Sustainable Eggs, which aims to champion continuous improvements in sustainability across the egg value chain.  Areas of collaboration include: a sustainable feed supply, the introduction of alternative raw feed materials and feed efficiency, reducing direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions and reducing nitrogen and phosphorous flows to the environment.

Both DSM and IEC are also actively involved in promoting the nutritional benefits of eggs and improving access to this key source of protein, particularly for populations that lack sufficient animal protein in their diet and suffer from nutrient deficiencies. DSM partners with the humanitarian nutrition think tank Sight & Life to bring more affordable and aspirational nutrition to millions of the world’s most vulnerable children.