In the Netherlands, DSM has opened a biotechnology lab to develop food and nutrition, feed, fuel, pharma, and materials products from renewable sources. DSM has named the site the Rosalind Franklin Biotechnology Center to honor Rosalind Franklin, whose work significantly contributed to the understanding of DNA structure.
The new facility is located at the company’s existing site in Delft and is part of a €100 million (USD106 million) investment in Dutch R&D capabilities since 2013. Over 400 R&D employees will work at the center.
Delft is already the global headquarters of DSM’s Food Specialties segment. In addition to the new biotechnology center, DSM has in recent years added a food application center and a biotech fermentation pilot plant.
DSM says work at the site will include ongoing efforts in producing steviol glycosides—the reduced-calorie, sweet-tasting molecules in the stevia plant—via fermentation; and a new technology that turns an inedible byproduct of rapeseed into plant protein for a wide range of uses in food.