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Koninklijke DSM N.V.

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FY2023 Annual Report · Koninklijke DSM N.V.
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2023
Integrated Annual 
Report DSM B.V.

Table of Contents

REPORT BY THE MANAGING BOARD .............................. 3 

Our company ......................................................................... 3 

About DSM ................................................................................................ 3 

Science & Research ............................................................................ 4 

Business .................................................................................. 5 

Taste, Texture & Health - DSM ..................................................... 5 

Health, Nutrition & Care - DSM ................................................... 7 

Animal Nutrition & Health ...............................................................9 

Corporate activities .......................................................................... 10 

Financial performance ...................................................................... 11 

Non-financial information .............................................. 13 

EU Taxonomy ......................................................................................... 13 

Governance and Risk Management ............................ 18 

Governance and governance framework ............................ 18 

Risk Management ............................................................................. 20 

Group structure and shares ....................................................... 25 

Supervisory Board and Managing Board DSM B.V. ....... 26 

Supervisory Board report ............................................................ 30 

Auditors..................................................................................................... 31 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ................................................ 32 

Consolidated financial statements ........................... 32 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements .......... 39 

Parent company financial statements ................... 103 

Notes to the parent company financial statements 105 

OTHER INFORMATION ...................................................... 115 

Independent auditor’s report .................................................... 115 

Special statutory rights ............................................................... 126 

 
Forward-looking statements 
This Integrated Annual Report may contain forward-looking statements with respect to DSM’s future (financial) 

performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of DSM and 

information currently available to the company. DSM cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and 

uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual 

performance and position to differ materially from these statements. The information provided in this Integrated Annual 

Report is provided as of the date of its issue. DSM does not assume any obligation to update any information or forward-

looking statement provided in this Integrated Annual Report unless required by law. The English language version of this 

Integrated Annual Report prevails over other language versions. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
REPORT BY THE MANAGING BOARD 

Our company 

About DSM 

DSM is a company organized under Dutch law with its statutory seat in Heerlen, the Netherlands. With the closing of the 

merger with Firmenich on 8 May 2023, DSM has become part of the dsm-firmenich Group. As part of dsm-firmenich, we 

are innovators in nutrition and health. We reinvent, manufacture, and combine vital nutrients and flavors to help the 

world’s growing population thrive sustainably. 

Our Business Units 
Our three Business Units are Taste, Texture & Health – DSM; Health, Nutrition & Care – DSM; and Animal Nutrition & 

Health. They each strive to address the latest consumer needs and wants in a sustainable way. We are uniquely 

positioned to help our customers realize their ambitions and address evolving consumer trends. We do this by creatively 

applying proven science and drawing on our data-driven innovation capabilities as well as our exceptional standards of 

operational excellence. Our Business Units are supported by Group Business Partners such as Science & Research, 

Finance, Human Resources, Sustainability, Procurement, Legal, Regulatory, Safety, Health and Environment, and Digital & 

Tech. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Our company - Science & Research 

Science & Research 

Our approach to Science & Research 
DSM drives the development of disruptive products and technologies with an end-to-end innovation approach. 

Sustainability is embedded from the outset and throughout every stage of the process – from discovery, pre-clinical and 

clinical studies through application development to scale-up and industrialization. By harnessing the expertise of our 

scientists and investing in our multidisciplinary approach, Science & Research brings progress to life, driving innovation 

that addresses global challenges and unmet needs in nutrition and health. We provide industry-leading science and 

research capabilities to drive the innovation required to deliver on our purpose and to provide differentiated solutions 

that combine the essential, the desirable, and the sustainable. 

IP and licensing 
Our group of qualified intellectual property (IP) professionals maximizes the value of DSM innovations and brands through 

strategic protection and defense of patents and trademark rights in our key markets. The IP team acts as a further 

differentiator through valuation and protection of IP assets in strategic partnerships, including joint developments, 

technology licensing (in/out), and IP asset acquisitions or sales. 

Pushing the envelope 
By combining all our science capabilities, our Science & Research team strives to pioneer solutions that help shape the 

future of nutrition and health. Analytical science assists the discovery of novel ingredients and allows us to gain greater 

understanding of complex biochemical mechanisms and interactions. We respond to real-world problems and seek to 

contribute meaningfully to well-being and a more sustainable future. In 2023, for example, we facilitated the rapid 

discovery of two glycan leads for 2024 clinical trials aimed at validating mood and stress benefits in humans.  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Business – Taste, Texture & Health - DSM 

Business 

Taste, Texture & Health - DSM 

About Taste, Texture & Health - DSM 
Building on our science-based heritage, biotech know-how, creation & application capabilities, and intimacy with 

customers, Taste, Texture & Health - DSM (TTH-DSM) addresses one of society’s biggest challenges: how to deliver 

nutritious, delicious and sustainable food and beverage solutions. TTH-DSM, which primarily encapsulates our Ingredients 

Solution capabilities, helps accelerate the diet transformation by offering appealing taste and texture and helps feed a 

growing world population sustainably, while minimizing food loss and waste.  

Operating environment 
Several macro-economic factors contributed to a challenging business environment for TTH-DSM in 2023. These 

included continued inflation of input costs, volatile foreign exchange rates, exceptionally low vitamin prices, and customer 

destocking as companies continued trying to manage their inventories and costs. 

The year in review 

Financial performance 2023 
x € million 

Sales  
EBITDA 

2023  

1,435  
213  

2022  

1,545  
245  

Continued investment in our facilities  
In Europe, we began the construction of our new headquarters and application labs at the Biotech Campus in Delft 

(Netherlands). This building will replace the current offices and facilities in Delft and will feature leading-edge facilities for 

food application development, especially for co-creation with our customers – including a demonstration kitchen and a 

sensory room, as well as collaborative office spaces.  

Within the framework of our plant-based platform, we opened an extrusion test center in Tau (Norway) to work on dry 

texturized proteins, high-moisture extruded proteins, and concentrated process flavors. The creation of this new facility 

will help in our ambition to become a leading provider of integrated solutions for delicious and nutritious meat and fish 

alternatives. 

Innovation 
In the food and beverage industry, capitalizing on new scientific and business opportunities increasingly depends on the 

effective deployment of advanced digital technologies – such as artificial intelligence for fermentation and lab 

automation – to develop new solutions for food and beverages faster and more accurately. 

In 2023, we further increased our investments in the digital transformation of our science and innovation capabilities, 

with a clear focus on being able to generate and combine consumer, customer, and technical data insights faster. This is 

with the dual aim of accelerating internal innovation processes and supporting our customers with faster availability of 

data useful to them.

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Business – Taste, Texture & Health - DSM 

Partnerships 
We signed an agreement with leading global Chinese dairy producer Yili to partner on research, innovation, sustainability, 

and more. The agreement paves the way for cross-Business Unit collaboration – we can offer Yili our flavors and 

ingredients from TTH-DSM, nutrition solutions from HNC-DSM, and animal feed from ANH. In China’s highly competitive 

market, our unparalleled combined capabilities in taste, texture, and nutrition are what particularly appeal to Yili. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Business – Health, Nutrition & Care - DSM 

Health, Nutrition & Care - DSM     

About Health, Nutrition & Care - DSM 
Health, Nutrition & Care - DSM (HNC-DSM) is dedicated to supporting the health of the world’s growing population 

through nutrition and care solutions. We deliver nutritional solutions that support well-being and proactive health at 

every stage of life and for every lifestyle. As an end-to-end solutions provider, we partner closely with our customers 

from product conception to launch, providing unique consumer insights, a broad portfolio of nutritional ingredients, 

innovative solutions, and expert taste capabilities. 

HNC-DSM offers solutions for the early life nutrition, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical, medical nutrition, and 

biomedical materials markets. We address specific consumer nutritional and wellness needs with our direct-to-

consumer i-Health business. We also serve the nutrition improvement sector, providing affordable and accessible 

nutrition fortification solutions for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. 

Operating environment 
Our industry experienced challenging market conditions in 2023. External geopolitical factors and inflation drove up 

energy, raw material procurement and production costs. Simultaneously, the dietary supplements market was impacted 

by pressure on consumer discretionary spend, especially in North America, and lower demand for immunity-supporting 

solutions post COVID. The early life nutrition market faced a highly comparable period (due to product shortages in North 

America), further exacerbated by a continuing decline in birth rates (especially in China – the largest ELN market) and 

ongoing destocking. 

The year in review 

Financial performance 
x € million 

Sales  
EBITDA 

2023  

2,806  
489  

2022  

2,990  
669  

Acquisition of Adare Biome 
In 2023, we further strengthened our ‘Health from the gut’ offering to meet growing consumer demand for better gut 

health with nutritional solutions that have scientifically backed health benefits combined with easy application and novel 

product formats. These clinically proven, multi-ingredient products include our next-generation Humiome® pre-, pro- 

and postbiotics, GlyCare™ HMOs, Tolerase® digestive enzymes, and Quali® vitamins. 

In July, we completed the acquisition of Adare Biome, a pioneer and global leader in the development and manufacture of 

postbiotics. Our strong infrastructure, commercialization and science capabilities will enable us to substantially scale 

Adare Biome’s industry-leading scientific research. Together with Adare Biome’s team of experts, we are poised to 

accelerate the creation of next-generation biotics faster and more efficiently than was previously possible, to a wider 

range of people around the world. Further development of postbiotic business-to-business ingredients and solutions 

presents opportunities in dietary supplements, early life nutrition, and medical nutrition. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Business – Health, Nutrition & Care - DSM 

Innovation 
We have defined a number of strategic innovation priorities based on consumer and customer needs across all our 

business segments. These include providing novel ingredient solutions as well as novel premix and market-ready 

solutions that deliver nutritional support in segments such as healthy aging and women’s health. 

In 2023, we accelerated the shift from fish oil to algal sources with the launch of life’s®OMEGA O3020, and led the market 

in infant nutrition innovation in HMOs. 

Other notable innovation achievements this year included: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Increasing the bioavailability of vitamins with our ampli® vitamins range 

The publication by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) of the conversion factor for calcidiol (25-

hydroxyvitamin D3) in its scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level for vitamin D – a major regulatory 

process milestone for obtaining approval for ampli-D® in the European Union 

Providing new solutions for one of the world’s biggest nutrient-related disorders with Tolerase® G, the first and 

only enzyme demonstrated to effectively break down residual gluten molecules 

Pioneering in biotics-based gut health with the Humiome® brand, an innovative range of ‘Health from the gut’ 

solutions. Shaped by microbiome science and consumer needs, Humiome® comprises prebiotics, probiotics and 

postbiotics, along with multi-ingredient custom solutions delivered via microbiome-targeted technology.  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Business – Animal Nutrition & Health 

Animal Nutrition & Health     

About Animal Nutrition & Health 
As the world’s population continues to grow, more and more land and resources will be required to feed it. Our innovative 

offering in Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) helps meet the rising demand for animal protein and support the sustainable 

transformation of food systems. 

We combine our professional passion and smart science to deliver new approaches to animal health and nutrition that 

enable the sustainable production of high-quality animal protein while simultaneously reducing emissions and our 

reliance on natural resources.  

Operating environment 
Overall global animal protein consumption remained resilient throughout the year, driven by good demand for poultry. 

Market conditions in China remained subdued, with pork demand stabilizing in the second part of the year but not 

showing the anticipated recovery.  

Our ANH business operated in an exceptionally challenging environment, being impacted by an imbalance in the global 

feed additive marketplace due to ongoing destocking as farmers’ profitability was squeezed as a result of substantially 

higher input costs. This was most pronounced in China, where pork production was loss-making throughout the year. 

These difficult market conditions led to unprecedentedly low levels of vitamin prices, as well as underutilization of the 

vitamins asset base, resulting in a very weak performance of the essential ingredients activities of ANH.  

The year in review  

Financial performance 
x € million 

Sales  
EBITDA 

2023  

3,223  
(30) 

2022  

3,784  
523  

Successful launch of vitamin transformation program  
In response to the exceptionally challenging macroeconomic environment in the vitamins industry, in mid-2023 the 

company embarked on a major restructuring program in its vitamin activities to reduce costs and restore profitability.  

Innovation 
We offer concrete and measurable solutions that are closely linked to our products, reducing environmental impact while 

at the same time improving profitability for producers. In 2023, we successfully continued the roll-out of our smart 

science and innovative solutions, including: 

• 

• 

• 

Sustell™, the world’s first intelligent sustainability service, designed to improve the environmental footprint and 

profitability of animal protein production 

ProAct 360™, our innovative second-generation feed protease, which drives consistent improvements in poultry 

growth performance and reduces production costs while making animal protein production more sustainable 

Bovaer®, our cattle feed additive that reduces enteric methane emissions by 30%, helping to cut global warming 

•  Veramaris®, our algae-based omega 3 oil, which helps reduce reliance on marine resources and supports the 

sustainable growth of aquaculture. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Business – Corporate activities 

Corporate activities  

Any consolidated activities within continuing operations that are outside the three Business Units are reported as 

Corporate activities. These comprise operating and service activities, as well as a number of costs that cannot be 

allocated directly to the Business Units. While this segment reports net sales to third parties from its service units, it 

normally has a negative operating result. 

Corporate activities include various holding companies, regional holdings, and corporate overheads. The most significant 

cost elements are corporate departments and the share-based compensation, see Note 27 Share-based 

compensation to the consolidated financial statements. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Business – Financial performance 

Financial performance 

Financial results  
TTH-DSM’s performance was solid. HNC-DSM, and even more so ANH, were weak in the face of exceptionally low vitamin 

prices and persistent destocking.  

In 2023, net sales were € 7,590 million, which was 10% lower than in 2022. The results for the full year were impacted by a 

combination of unprecedented market dynamics that led to very low vitamin prices, together with a deep destocking 

cycle.  

EBITDA, significantly impacted by the vitamin effect and foreign exchange effects, was 59% lower than in the prior year, 

resulting in a margin decline of 853 basis points. This includes a negative vitamin effect which is estimated at about 

€500 million, and one-off restructuring, acquisition and integration costs of about €325 million. 

Income statement and key data 
x € million 

Continuing operations 

Sales 
EBITDA 
Operating profit (loss) 
Net profit (loss) 
EBITDA margin (in %) 

DSM 
Net profit (loss) for the period 

2023  

2022  

Change 

7,590  
532  
(412) 
(463) 
7.0  

8,390  
1,304  
682  
475  
15.5  

-10% 
-59% 
-160% 
-197% 

2,326  

1,715  

36% 

Net profit (loss) 
Net loss from continuing operations of €463 million represented a fall of €938 million from the net profit from continuing 

operations of €475 million posted in 2022. The decrease in the net result for the year is mainly attributable to a decrease 

in net sales of €800 million (9.5%) to €7,590 million in 2023 and an increase in total operating costs of €300 million. The 

primary driver behind the increase in total operating costs was impairment charges of €308 million, which chiefly related 

to the vitamins business. 

Financial income and expense of continuing operations decreased by €30 million year on year to a net expense of €58 

million, which was caused by an increase in interest income of €96 million, partly offset by less favorable fair value 

changes of derivatives of €59 million. 

The total effective tax rate on the taxable result for continuing operations in 2023 was 3.4% (2022: 20.9%). This was 

mainly caused by the geographical spread, changes in tax rates, and non-deductible expenses. 

The total net profit from continuing and discontinued operations increased by €611 million to €2,326 million. This 

increase was mainly a result of the net book profit of €2,790 million on the sale of DSM Engineering Materials (DEM) (in 

comparison with a net book profit of €1,018 million in 2022 on the sale of DSM Protective Materials).  

Balance sheet 
The balance sheet total (total assets) decreased to €15.7 billion at year-end (2022: €17.4 billion). Equity decreased by 

€1.9 billion, which was attributable to dividend payments of -€3.9 billion, the net profit of €2.3 billion, treasury share 

transactions of -€0.2 billion, and the effect of exchange rate differences of -€0.1 billion. Equity as a percentage of total 

assets decreased from 62% to 57%. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Business – Financial performance 

Capital expenditure on intangible assets and property, plant and equipment amounted to €546 million for continuing 

operations in 2023 (€542 million on a cash basis). Including new leases, the additions to intangible assets and property, 

plant and equipment amounted to €651 million, whereas amortization, depreciation and impairments amounted to €944 

million. Acquisitions during the year, mainly related to Adare Biome, resulted in an increase of intangible assets and 

property, plant and equipment of €326 million. 

Cash and cash equivalents amounted to €2,181 million at the end of the year, a decrease of €574 million. This decrease 

resulted from cash inflows from operating activities of €576 million and from investing activities of €2,711 million, offset 

by a cash outflow from financing activities of € 3,852 million. 

The decrease in other current assets of €1,013 million mainly results from the decrease in assets held for sale of €1,239 

million related to DEM and an increase in receivables on related parties of €279 million. 

Other liabilities increased by about €245 million, resulting from an increase of payables to related parties of €691 million, 

were partly offset by a decrease in the liabilities held for sale that mainly related to DEM of €422 million. 

Balance sheet profile 

Goodwill and intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Other non-current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Other current assets 
Total assets 

Equity 

Provisions 
Other non-current liabilities 
Other current liabilities 
Total equity and liabilities 

2023 
x € million 
5,210  

3,492  

499  
2,181  
4,360  
15,742  

8,923  

111  
3,363  
3,345  
15,742  

in % 
33  

22  

3  
14  
28  
100  

57  

1  
21  
21  
100  

2022 
x € million 
5,147  

3,576  

552  
2,755  
5,373  
17,403  

10,845  

95  
3,950  
2,513  
17,403  

in % 
30  

21  

3  
16  
30  
100  

62  

1  
23  
14  
100  

Future developments 
On 13 February 2024, DSM-Firmenich AG completed the voluntary tender offer for 4.2 million DSM B.V. ordinary shares for 

a total consideration amounting to €400 million. DSM-Firmenich AG will seek to acquire the remaining 1.5% of shares 

through the statutory buy-out procedure. 

On 15 February 2024, dsm-firmenich announced the initiation of a process to carve out the ANH business and separate it 

from the Group. dsm-firmenich expects to be in a position to separate the business in the course of 2025. 

On 8 March 2024, DSM divested its 100% equity interest in the vitamin C plant DSM Jiangshan. 

See also Note 30 Events after the balance sheet date to the consolidated financial statements. 

Management expects that DSM will be able to continue as a going concern.  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Non-financial information 

EU Taxonomy 

Taxonomy regulation 
The EU Taxonomy entered into force on 12 July 2020, establishing criteria for environmentally sustainable economic 

activities related to six environmental objectives: 

•  Climate change mitigation (CCM); 
•  Climate change adaptation (CCA); 
• 

Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources (WTR); 

• 

• 

• 

Transition to a circular economy (CE); 

Pollution prevention and control (PPC); and 

Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems (BIO). 

The Taxonomy regulation also amended the EU Accounting Directive (2013/34/EU) on non-financial information by 

expanding the scope of content that needs to be disclosed by large companies in the Management Report. It requires 

companies to disclose the proportion of their activities that qualify as environmentally sustainable. 

The first delegated act concerning the technical screening criteria for economic activities with substantial contribution 

to climate change mitigation and adaptation (the Climate Delegated Act, C2021/4987) was formally adopted on 4 June 

2021. A delegated act amending the Climate Delegated Act (covering the environmental objectives of climate change 

mitigation and adaptation) and an Environmental Delegated Act addressing the remaining four environmental objectives 

were published in 2023. 

We welcome the implementation of the EU Taxonomy and assessed its impact on DSM in line with its overall objectives, 

albeit accepting that parts of the Taxonomy regulation are subject to interpretation, which may lead to variance in its 

application. Considering the level of complexity as well as the evolving character of the framework, we expect that 

Taxonomy reporting will develop over time. As such, we shall apply a conservative approach to, and interpretation of, the 

Taxonomy legislation until we believe it has sufficiently matured. We will periodically revalidate our methodology and our 

reported KPIs based on the evolution of the regulations and forthcoming guidance from, among others, the European 

Commission and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). 

Disclosures 
Under the Taxonomy regulation, DSM is required to report on how much Turnover, Capital Expenditure (‘CapEx’) and 

Operating Expenses (‘OpEx’) are in scope of the Taxonomy Regulation (i.e., ‘Taxonomy-eligible activities’), and how much 

are aligned with the Taxonomy regulation (i.e., ‘Taxonomy-aligned activities’). In 2023, the required disclosures apply in 

full to climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation, but simplified reporting requirements are applicable to 

the remaining four environmental objectives. More specifically, whereas DSM has to disclose both the Taxonomy-eligible 

and the Taxonomy-aligned proportions for Turnover, CapEx, and OpEx with regard to climate change mitigation and 

climate change adaptation, DSM only has to report on the Taxonomy-eligible proportions of these KPIs for the new 
economic activities under CCM and CCA and the remaining four objectives applied for the first time in 2023.  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Non-financial information – EU Taxonomy 

Turnover 
Total turnover, as defined by the Taxonomy regulation, corresponds to the sales from continuing operations as reported 

on the basis of the income statements in the Consolidated financial statements.  

In line with 2022, DSM did not identify any Taxonomy-eligible activities with respect to climate change mitigation and 

climate change adaptation. The publication of the Environmental Delegated Act addressing the remaining four 

environmental objectives in 2023 resulted in the identification of DSM’s Pharma business (part of HNC-DSM) as an 

eligible activity under the environmental objective pollution prevention and control. Given the simplified reporting 

objectives in 2023, DSM only discloses the taxonomy-eligible portion of the revenue related to its Pharma business. 

Taxonomy-eligible turnover amounted to €253m, or 3.3% of total turnover.   

CapEx 
Total CapEx is determined based on the 2023 additions to property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, and 

additions to right-of-use assets, see also Note 8 Goodwill and intangible assets and Note 9 Property, plant and 

equipment to the consolidated financial statements. In addition to the CapEx related to the Pharma business, which was 

identified as an eligible activity, Taxonomy-eligible CapEx includes expenditures related to the purchase of output from 

Taxonomy-aligned economic activities and individual measures enabling the target activities to become low-carbon or 

to lead to greenhouse gas reductions. Taxonomy-eligible CapEx amounted to €116m, or 14.0% of total CapEx.   

DSM does not have to disclose the Taxonomy-aligned proportion of the CapEx related to the Pharma business under the 

simplified reporting requirements in 2023 and did not establish alignment for the remaining CapEx. Therefore, DSM  

discloses 0% alignment with respect to the CapEx KPI.  

OpEx 
Total OpEx consists of maintenance (including building renovations) and R&D costs, excluding costs and income related 

to bad debts, government grants, depreciation and amortization, and own work capitalized.  

Taking into consideration the assessment of the contribution of the Pharma business to both the turnover KPI and the 

CapEx KPI, the operational expenditure related to this business within DSM’s business model is considered immaterial 

from an EU Taxonomy perspective. As such, the numerator reflecting the eligible OpEx attributable to this business is 

considered negligible and DSM discloses 0% eligible and aligned OpEx.  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Non-financial information – EU Taxonomy 

Turnover 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Non-financial information – EU Taxonomy 

CapEx 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Non-financial information – EU Taxonomy 

OpEx 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Governance and Risk Management 

Governance and governance framework 

Governance  
DSM B.V. is a direct affiliate of DSM-Firmenich AG. It is managed by a Managing Board and supervised by a Supervisory 

Board. Members of the Managing Board and the Supervisory Board are appointed by the General Meeting of 

Shareholders. 

The Company is governed by Dutch law and by its Articles of Association, which can be consulted on the Company 

website.  

DSM is part of the dsm-firmenich Group and is organized in three distinct high-performing Business Units. These 

Business Units are supported by Group Business Partners. More details about the organization can be found in the About 

DSM section.  

Diversity 
As part of dsm-firmenich, we strongly value diversity, and we endeavor to reflect this in our Board memberships. The 

Supervisory Board has formulated diversity policies for the Supervisory Board and the Managing Board. These policies 

seek a balanced composition of these bodies, taking into account gender, age, knowledge, experience, and nationality / 

cultural background. In addition, for the composition of the Supervisory Board, the tenure structure is taken into 

consideration. 

In terms of gender diversity, we aim for at least 30% of the positions in our Supervisory Board and Managing Board to be 

held by women and at least 30% by men. To ensure a balanced composition in terms of nationality / cultural background, 

our aim is to have not more than 50% of the members of our Supervisory Board drawn from a single nationality. While a 

diverse composition in terms of nationality / cultural background is also taken into account in the composition of the 

Managing Board, no quantitative target is set here, given the small number of Managing Board members. 

Our diversity policies are implemented by applying them to nominations for (re)appointments of Supervisory Board and 

Managing Board members.  

In 2023, the Supervisory Board consisted of 30% women, which is in line with Dutch legislation on gender diversity and 

with the Company’s own diversity policy. Furthermore, the composition of our Supervisory Board is in line with our target 

of having not more than 50% of the members drawn from a single nationality. 

Until 1 September 2023, the Managing Board was well balanced in terms of gender, comprising 50% women. In May 2023, 

DSM-Firmenich AG’s Board of Directors decided to evolve the then existing CO-CEO structure and to appoint Dimitri de 

Vreeze as sole CEO of dsm-firmenich, effective 1 September 2023. As of the same date, Géraldine Matchett, until then 

Co-CEO (and holding Chief Financial Officer responsibility), stepped down from the Executive Committee of DSM-

Firmenich AG and as a member of the Managing Board of DSM B.V. Ralf Schmeitz, previously Group Controller, was 

appointed CFO and Member of the Executive Committee of DSM-Firmenich AG, effective 1 September 2023. In light of 

the Board of Directors’ decision, Ralf Schmeitz was also appointed as Managing Board member of DSM B.V., effective 1 

September 2023. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

18  

 
 
Governance and Risk Management – Governance and governance framework 

Governance framework 
The figure below depicts the Company’s governance framework and the most important governance elements and 

regulations at each level. 

The Company’s internal corporate governance framework is based on its Articles of 

Association (the ‘Articles of Association’). The Regulations of the Supervisory Board 

and the Managing Board further clarify the duties, powers and regulations of the 

governing bodies of the Company. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance and Risk Management – Risk Management 

Risk Management 

Our risk management framework is based on the COSO Enterprise Risk Management model. It supports DSM’s Group, 

Business Unit and Business Partner functions in managing risks that might prevent us from achieving our strategic, 

financial, and operational objectives and in protecting company assets, including reputation. It also supports compliance 

with laws and regulations, as well as reliable financial and non-financial reporting. 

Our approach to Risk Management 
Until 9 May 2023, DSM was responsible for its risk management, with its Managing Board bearing the accountability for 

the management of all risks associated with DSM’s strategy and business objectives. With the creation of dsm-firmenich, 

enterprise risk management for DSM has become part of dsm-firmenich’s risk management activities. The Managing 

Board continues to be accountable for risk management within DSM as part of their responsibilities within dsm-

firmenich. The risk management framework of dsm-firmenich - described in the below sections - also applies to DSM as 

part of the dsm-firmenich Group. 

Risk management framework 
The building-blocks of our risk management framework are shown in the diagram. Governance and culture form the 

foundation, on which the pillars of the risk management process – strategy & objective-setting, risk identification & 

assessment, risk mitigation & control activities, monitoring & improvement – stand to protect our value & integrity. 

Communication & reporting ensures the connection between the pillars and the sharing of adequate information with 

internal and external stakeholders. The building-blocks are summarized in the paragraphs below. 

Risk management framework 

Governance & culture 

As part of the dsm-firmenich Group, the DSM Group applies the Operating Model Framework that was determined by the 

Executive Committee of DSM-Firmenich AG, with the approval of the Board of Directors of DSM-Firmenich AG. The 

Operating Model Framework functions as guidance for the operations of, and cooperation within, the Group, the Business 

Units and Business Partners, who are therefore jointly responsible for achieving our objectives and managing the 

associated risks. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

20 

 
 
  
 
Governance and Risk Management – Risk Management 

Strategy & objective-setting  

Our Group strategy and objectives are determined by the Board of Directors of DSM-Firmenich AG, supported by the 

Executive Committee of DSM-Firmenich AG. The DSM Group strategy and objectives are translated into specific plans 

and priorities for Business Unit and Business Partner leadership and are elaborated in further detail for lower levels in the 

organization. 

Risk identification & assessment 

The realization of an ambitious strategy will always entail risks. To enable informed decision-making, these risks are 

identified and assessed at all levels in the organization. Risk assessments may focus on various topics (e.g., Safety, Health 

and Environment (SHE), security, climate) and are regularly updated. 

Risk mitigation & control activities  
Mitigating actions and controls are defined and implemented for the most relevant risks. Controls include policies, 

standards, Segregation of Duties (SoD) management, business continuity management , and business performance 

reviews. Control activities, which can be preventive or detective, are integrated into our business processes and are 

executed by the first line. 

Monitoring & improvement 
The Internal Control department within Legal, Regulatory, Risk & Compliance owns the Internal Control Framework. It 

defines the standard set of key controls that must be performed by the first line, and it aims to ensure reliable financial 

reporting, mitigate fraud risks, and safeguard our assets. The effectiveness of the key controls is independently tested by 

the Internal Control department. 

Communication & reporting 
Reviewing of risks and incidents takes place via structured processes, and if needed on an ad-hoc basis. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance and Risk Management – Risk Management 

Material risks and uncertainties 
Within the framework of the dsm-firmenich risk management process, risk assessments are performed at all levels in the 

DSM organization and can focus on varying topics. Material risks for our Business Units and Business Partner functions are 

reported to our CEO twice a year via the Risk & Incident Report.  

Our risk profile 
The below list details the five most important short-term risks that might have material impact within three years and 

have the potential to prevent us from successfully implementing our strategy and achieving our targets, despite the 

mitigations in place.  

Top risks and related mitigating actions 

Digital transformation 

Risk description 

Mitigations 

Having an integrated digital backbone is essential to 

In the new operating model of dsm-firmenich including 

implement efficient and robust business processes 

DSM, the Business Partners have allocated dedicated 

that meet the expectations of our customers. 

resources to drive digitally-enabled process excellence. 

Therefore, successful execution of our digital 

Furthermore, the capacity and capability in Digital & Tech 

transformation roadmap is important to deliver on our 

are being strengthened. 

strategic and financial targets. 

All key projects are subject to quality reviews by a multi-

The implementation of this roadmap is complex. This, 

disciplinary, independent team of experts at specific 

in combination with some resource constraints, means 

moments throughout project implementation. 

there is a risk that the digital transformation roadmap 

is not implemented according to plan or does not 

bring the full benefits as aimed for. 

Geopolitical instability 

Risk description 

Mitigations 

DSM operates globally and could therefore be affected 

Our business continuity management governance and 

by geopolitical instability and related economic 

processes are strengthened as part of the 

• 

• 

• 

decline, such as: 

Trade restrictions, raw material and energy 

shortages, and supply disruptions, hampering our 

ability to supply our customers 

Lower economic growth and declining disposable 

implementation of the new operating model within dsm-

firmenich including DSM. To reduce the impact of 

possible disruptions, preventive actions are taken, such 

as reducing single-source positions, qualifying back-up 

manufacturing sites, and optimizing safety stocks.  

income, impacting demand for our products 

Continuous monitoring of possible disruptions in our 

Inflation, putting pressure on our margins 

supply chains enables us to act with speed as and when 

needed.  

We hedge part of our exposure to purchasing price 

fluctuations and currency fluctuations. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

22 

 
 
Governance and Risk Management – Risk Management 

In economic downturns, we have the flexibility to offer 

solutions to serve the changing needs of our customers 

and end-consumers. 

Commodity markets 

Risk description 

Mitigations 

DSM operates in highly competitive markets. There is a 

We prioritize high-growth and higher-margin market 

risk that some competitors may benefit from a lower 

segments. To address the needs of customers and end-

cost position and where we cannot differentiate 

consumers in these segments, we develop innovative 

ourselves sufficiently, this could impact our sales 

products and services and offer differentiating value 

volumes and margins. 

propositions. We use our wide-ranging expertise, our 

scientific, technical and data-driven innovation 

capabilities, and our broad portfolio of natural and 

renewable ingredients.  

In all our Business Units, we focus on maximizing 

operational performance and apply strict cost control.  

We launched the vitamin transformation program to 

improve profitability, structurally reduce our exposure to 

price fluctuations, and deliver significant cost savings. 

Talent availability 

Risk description 

Mitigations 

The success of DSM depends on its employees, 

We successfully implemented the new operating model 

including – but not limited to – scientists, researchers, 

and organization within dsm-firmenich including DSM 

flavorists, and experts in digital and data science. 

and have launched our new purpose and values. 

In view of the tight labor market, the ongoing 

challenges of the macro-economic environment, and 

the demands associated with any major merger and 

integration process, there is a risk that we cannot 

Throughout the entire process, we frequently connect 

with our employees to update them on the status of the 

integration and the challenges we face as a company. We 

answer their questions and address their concerns. 

attract, retain, develop, and engage the people with the 

Building on this foundation, we are executing our plans 

required expertise, experience, and mindset needed 

for integrated rewards, people development, well-being, 

for the implementation of our strategy. 

engagement, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. 

We continue to monitor retention rates as well as 

employee engagement and take action as and when 

needed. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance and Risk Management – Risk Management 

Cyber attack 

Risk description 

Mitigations 

As external cyber threats remain high, DSM is exposed 

We are implementing a single, integrated cyber security 

to the risk of cyber attacks. This could lead to 

discontinuity of operations and loss of integrity or 

framework covering the domains of information 

technology, operations technology, and R&D laboratory 

confidentiality of information. 

systems. 

Since the ‘human firewall’ remains critically important, we 

have intensified our phishing tests to keep employee 

awareness high – something that is especially important 

during times of change.  

To mitigate the impact of a potential cyber attack, we are 

strengthening our business continuity plans and disaster 

recovery plans. 

Other important risks 
There are also more generic business risks, such as business continuity, sourcing, intellectual property, tax, changing 

legislation and regulations, and increasing non-financial reporting requirements. Our risk management framework is set 

up to adequately monitor and respond to these risks. 

All relevant risks are taken into account in the preparation of our financial statements. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance and Risk Management – Group structure and shares 

Group structure and shares 

Group structure 

DSM B.V. and Group companies 
DSM B.V. is the parent company of the DSM Group and a direct affiliate of DSM-Firmenich AG. DSM B.V. is a company 

organized under Dutch law with its statutory seat in Heerlen and its registered office at Wilhelminasingel 39, 6227BE 

Maastricht, the Netherlands. On 31 May 2023, after the delisting of the DSM Ordinary Shares (see Delisting Ordinary 

Shares Koninklijke DSM N.V.), DSM B.V. became a private limited liability company with the conversion of the former 

Koninklijke DSM N.V. from a Dutch public limited liability company (naamloze vennootschap) into a Dutch private limited 

liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid).    

Shares 

Delisting Ordinary Shares Koninklijke DSM N.V. 
The last trading date of the DSM Ordinary Shares was 30 May 2023. The delisting of the DSM Ordinary Shares was 

effective on 31 May 2023.  

Buy-out procedure 
DSM-Firmenich AG commenced the statutory buy-out procedure in accordance with Articles 2:359c DCC and 2:201a 

DCC to acquire the DSM Ordinary Shares that were not tendered in the Exchange Offer (the Buy-Out) (or otherwise 

acquired by DSM-Firmenich AG) as DSM-Firmenich AG holds more than 95% of DSM's aggregate issued and outstanding 

ordinary share capital as of the Post-Closing Acceptance Settlement Date as defined on page 4 of the Offering Circular. 

On 14 May 2024, the Enterprise Court of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal awarded DSM-Firmenich AG’s claims in the 

Buy-Out.  

Former bearer shares 
Former DSM bearer shares are subject to the Buy-Out scenario. Further information can be found in the dsm-firmenich 
Offering Circular dated 22 November 2022; see paragraph 14.27. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

25  

 
 
 
 
Governance and Risk Management – Supervisory Board and Managing Board DSM B.V.  

Supervisory Board and Managing Board DSM B.V. 

Supervisory Board 
The Supervisory Board is composed of the following three members. 

Thomas Leysen, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, 
Chairman of the Board of Directors of DSM-Firmenich AG 
and Member of its Compensation Committee since 2023 
Thomas Leysen has spent a large part of his career at Umicore, which was 

transformed under his leadership from a metals producer to a materials technology 

group with leading positions in battery materials, automotive catalysts, and precious 

metals recycling. He was CEO of the company until 2008, after which he became 

Chairman of the Supervisory Board. He has long been committed to the promotion 

of sustainability development, and was the founding chair of The Shift, a coalition of 

businesses and non-governmental organizations in Belgium. He was Chairman of the 

Federation of Enterprises in Belgium between 2008 and 2011. Between 2011 and 

2020, he was Chairman of the Board of KBC Group, a banking and insurance group 

with activities mainly in Belgium, Central Europe and Ireland. He was Member of the 

Supervisory Board of Koninklijke DSM N.V. as of 2020 and served as its Chairman 

Nationality 
Year of Birth 
Education 
Listed Company Boards 
Non-Listed Company Boards 
Other Memberships  

from 2021 to 2023, until DSM and Firmenich merged. 

Belgian 
1960 
Master’s degree, Law, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium) 
•  Umicore: Non-Executive Chair of the Supervisory Board 
•  Mediahuis: Non-Executive Chair of the Board 
• 
• 
•  Mayer van den Bergh Museum: Chair of the Board of Trustees 

King Baudouin Foundation US: Chair of the Foundation 
Flemish Heritage Council: Council Chair 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
Governance and Risk Management – Supervisory Board and Managing Board DSM B.V.  

John Ramsay, Member of the Supervisory Board, Member of 
the Board of Directors of DSM-Firmenich AG and Chairman 
of its Audit & Risk Committee since 2023 
John Ramsay started his career at KPMG before entering the corporate world in 

1984, when he joined ICI. He held several, increasingly senior, accounting and finance 

positions within ICI, which would later become AstraZeneca. John played a leading 

role in planning and executing the merger of AstraZeneca’s agribusiness with 

Novartis, including the integration and disposal of various businesses post-merger. 

He also played a leading role in the formation and stock exchange listing of the 

Syngenta business and became its Group Controller in 2001. In that role, he had to 

build up the group’s finance function from scratch, establishing the organization and 

reporting systems after the IPO. His last executive position was Chief Financial 

Officer (CFO) and Interim CEO of Syngenta AG, which he held until 2016. He has 

served as Non-Executive Board Member of G4S and was a was a Member of the 

Supervisory Board of Koninklijke DSM N.V. during a six-year tenure, until DSM and 

Firmenich merged in 2023. 

Nationality 
Year of Birth 
Education 
Listed Company Boards 

British 
1957 
Chartered Accountant 
• 

RHI Magnesita N.V.: Non-Executive Director 
•  Croda International PLC: Non-Executive Director 
• 

Babcock International PLC: Non-Executive Director 

Non-Listed Company Boards 
Other Memberships  

N/A 
N/A 

Corien Wortmann, Member of the Supervisory Board, 
Member of the Board of Directors of DSM-Firmenich AG, 
Member of its Sustainability Committee and Member of its 
Audit & Risk Commmittee since 2023 
Corien Wortmann served as Chair of the Board of ABP Pension Fund, a world leader 

in responsible investing, from 2015 to 2022. She was a Member of the European 

Parliament for the European People’s Party from (EPP) 2004 to 2014, and the EPP’s 

Vice President Economy, Finance and Environment. She is currently a Non-Executive 

Member and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Aegon Ltd, Member of the 

Capital Market Advisory Board of the AFM, Board Member of the Impact Economy 

Foundation, and Chair of the Supervisory Board of Netspar, a network for studies on 

pensions, aging and retirement. She has served as Chair of the Supervisory Board of 

Save the Children (Netherlands), as a Jury Member of the Business Woman of the 

Year Prize at Veuve Clicquot, and as Co-Chair of the European High Level Expert 

Group Next CMU. She was a Member of the Supervisory Board of Koninklijke DSM 

N.V. during a two-year tenure, until DSM and Firmenich merged in 2023. 

Nationality 
Year of Birth 

Dutch 
1959 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance and Risk Management – Supervisory Board and Managing Board DSM B.V.  

Education 

Master’s Degree in Political Science and Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam 
(Netherlands) 

Listed Company Boards 
Non-Listed Company Boards 
Other Memberships  

Aegon N.V: Non-Executive Vice-Chair of the Board 
N/A 
• 

Impact Economy Foundation: Advisory Board Member 

•  Netspar: Chair of the Supervisory Board 
•  Capital Markets Advisory Board of the Dutch Financial Markets Authority: 

Member 

• 

Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen: Member 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

28  

 
 
 
 
Governance and Risk Management – Supervisory Board and Managing Board DSM B.V.  

Managing Board 
The Managing Board is composed of the following two members. 

Dimitri de Vreeze, Chief Executive Officer since 2023 
Dimitri de Vreeze was appointed as member to DSM B.V.’s Managing Board in 2013 and 

served as DSM’s Co-CEO from 2020, having joined the company in 1990. Starting in 

Finance, he took on leadership roles in various Business Units around the world before 

being named Young Captain of the Year in the Netherlands in 2006. He has been 

instrumental in setting DSM’s strategy and executing its transformation journey to a fully 

focused health, nutrition, and bioscience company, including the development of DSM’s 

Food System Commitments, a series of quantifiable 2030 targets aimed at addressing 

urgent societal and environmental challenges linked to how the world produces and 

consumes food. He chairs the Young Captain Foundation, awarding and elevating young 

leadership potential, and is also the Chair of the ALV United World College Maastricht, 

bringing together young people from all directions of life to work together toward a 

peaceful and sustainable future. 

Nationality 
Year of Birth 
Education 

Dutch 
1967 
•  Master’s in Business Economics, University of Groningen (Netherlands) 
•  Master’s in Finance and Control from Maastricht University (Netherlands) 

Ralf Schmeitz, Chief Financial Officer since 2023 
Ralf Schmeitz was appointed as Managing Board member (CFO) of DSM B.V. in September 

2023, marking a significant milestone in his journey with the company. He initially joined 

the company in 2006 , and his path has been marked by outstanding achievements and a 

track record of strong performance. Ralf has played a pivotal role in propelling 

the transformation of the Finance function and in navigating substantial portfolio changes. 

Prior to his CFO role, Ralf held the position of Head of Group Finance, overseeing Finance 

& Control, Treasury and Taxation. In his last role, he held the position of Group Controller, 

spearheading both the Business Controlling and Accounting teams. Ralf began his career 

at PwC, laying strong foundations and building financial and strategic acumen, and 

then moved to Hewlett Packard, where he assumed diverse leadership responsibilities 

in Finance. 

Nationality 
Year of Birth 
Education 

Dutch 
1972 
•  Master’s degree, Economics, Maastricht University (Netherlands) 
•  Master’s degree Accountancy, Maastricht University (Netherlands) 
•  Master’s degree in Business Valuation, Erasmus University, Rotterdam (Netherlands) 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governance and Risk Management – Supervisory Board report 

Supervisory Board report 

This report provides information on the way the Supervisory Board performed its duties in 2023.  

Change in the composition of the Supervisory Board 
In 2023, the size of the Supervisory Board decreased from eight to three Board members due to the changes in the 

Group structure caused by the merger with Firmenich. The composition of DSM’s Supervisory Board is diverse in terms of 

gender, nationality, background, knowledge, and experience. The Supervisory Board comprises two men and one woman. 

One member is Belgian, one British, and one Dutch. The current Supervisory Board members are Thomas Leysen (Chair), 

John Ramsay, and Corien Wortmann. For detailed information on their backgrounds, see Supervisory Board and 

Managing Board DSM B.V. For information on the composition of the Supervisory Board prior to the merger between 

DSM and Firmenich, please refer to page 236 of the Offering Circular. 

Supervision and advice 
The Supervisory Board performs its duties of supervising and advising the Managing Board with respect both to recurring 

standard agenda items for Supervisory Board meetings and to specific topics that become relevant at any given point in 

time. 

In view of and prior to the merger between DSM and Firmenich, the Supervisory Board was actively involved in the 

preparations and approval process for the merger. In view of the launch of an industry-wide investigation into the 

fragrances sector, including Firmenich, by the European, US, UK, and Swiss competition authorities in March 2023, the 

investigations were discussed in the full Supervisory Board meeting. This resulted in the Second Supplement to the 

Offering Circular. Furthermore, the Supervisory Board was also involved in the discussions leading to the acquisition of 

Adare Biome. 

Another prominent agenda item is an update on business performance, financials, treasury, and investor relations topics. 

As part of this agenda item, the Supervisory Board tracked the company’s financial performance, as well as approved the 

annual Budget and the annual Finance and Capital Expenditure Plan. It was additionally updated on capital market 

expectations, and deliberated on any additional treasury topics as needed. A bridge financing facility as part of the 

annual Finance Plan was approved to cover the financial aspects related to the closing of the merger. 

In the area of financials and auditing, discussions were held with KPMG about the audit plan and strategy, DSM B.V.’s 

reporting requirements, audit report, and financial statements for 2023.  

Financial statements 2023 
The Report of the Managing Board and the financial statements for 2023 were submitted by the Managing Board to the 

Supervisory Board, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 17.2 and 22 of the Articles of Association, and were 

subsequently approved by the Supervisory Board on 14 May 2024. The financial statements were audited by the external 

auditor KPMG, who issued an unqualified opinion (see the Independent auditor’s report). The Supervisory Board 

established that the external auditor was independent of DSM. 

The Supervisory Board will submit the 2023 financial statements to the 2024 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, 

and will propose that the shareholders adopt them and release the Managing Board from all liability in respect of its 

managerial activities and release the Supervisory Board from all liability in respect of its supervision of the Managing 

Board. The profit appropriation as proposed by the Managing Board and approved by the Supervisory Board is presented 

in Note 6 Shareholders’ equity to the parent company financial statements. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

30 

 
 
Governance and Risk Management – Auditors 

Auditors 

Mandate and term of office 
KPMG was appointed as Group and statutory auditors of DSM B.V. for the financial year 2023. The Supervisory Board 

reconsiders on an annual basis whether the external auditors should be proposed to the Annual General Meeting for re-

election. 

Assurance fees 
The assurance fees paid to KPMG in its capacity as statutory and Group auditor for the 2023 consolidated financial 

statements, the fees for any other audit instructions, non-audit tax services, as well as for other non-audit services can 

be found in Note 29 Service fees paid to external auditors to the consolidated financial statements. The scope of the 

audit of the 2023 consolidated financial statements was approved by the Supervisory Board and defined in an 

engagement and fee letter signed by the CEO and the CFO.  

Auditor Rotation 
The Audit Rules of the European Union require DSM B.V. to rotate its external auditor for the financial year 2025. In view of 

this requirement, the Supervisory Board of DSM B.V. initiated an auditor selection process in the third quarter of 2023 

and mandated a Selection Committee to conduct a tender process for the selection of the external auditor.  

The Selection Committee consisted of Supervisory Board member John Ramsay and the Managing Board. The Selection 

Committee oversaw the execution of the tender process, which was performed by a Tender Team consisting of the 

employees from the Finance and Procurement teams. The amended Audit Directive (2014/56/EU) and the Audit 

Regulation (537/2014/EU) of the European Union, which prescribe specific requirements on the appointment of statutory 

auditors or audit firms, were considered in the audit tender process. In addition, the Selection Committee considered the 

report of the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) published in February 2021, which provides 

recommendations on the external auditor selection. The auditor selection criteria, which were validated by the 

Supervisory Board, emphasize the requirements for independence, the ability to provide financial & non-financial 

assurance, global footprint, quality ratings, and an excellent professional knowledge network of IT, systems, processes & 

controls.  

Considering the results of the audit tender process and the recommendation of the Selection Committee, the 

Supervisory Board approved the recommendation (subject to the powers of the General Meeting of Shareholders). The 

Supervisory Board of DSM B.V. will propose to the 2024 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to approve the 

appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as external auditor for DSM B.V. starting from the financial year 2025. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Consolidated financial statements 

The financial statements of DSM include the consolidated financial statements and the parent company financial 

statements. DSM (the ‘Company’ or the ‘Group’) is the former Koninklijke (or Royal) DSM Group, a sub-group of the dsm-

firmenich Group, a new group following the merger between DSM and Firmenich that took place on 8 May 2023.  

The parent company of the sub-group DSM is DSM B.V., domiciled in Heerlen (Netherlands). Its main shareholder is DSM-

Firmenich AG, listed on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange. 

These consolidated financial statements comprise DSM B.V. and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’). A list of main participations 

of the Group can be found in Note 3 Financial assets to the parent company financial statements. 

The financial year 2023 covers the period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements 

Consolidated income statement 

x € million 

Continuing operations 

Net sales 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Marketing & Sales 
Research & Development 
General & Administrative 
Other operating income 
Other operating expense 

Operating profit (loss) 

Finance income 
Finance expense 

Profit (loss) before tax  

Income tax expense 
Share of net profit of associates and joint ventures 
Other results related to associates and joint ventures 

Net profit (loss) from continuing operations 

Net profit from discontinued operations 
Net profit for the period 

Attributable to:  
- Holders of shares parent company 
- Non-controlling interests 
- Dividend on cumulative preference shares 

Notes 

2023  

2022  

5 
5 

5 
5 
5 
5 
5 

6 
6 

7 
10 
10 

3 

17 
16 
16 

7,590  
(6,021) 

1,569  

(1,051) 
(352) 
(619) 
155  
(114) 

(412) 

129  
(187) 

(470) 

16  
(8) 
(1) 

(463) 

2,789  
2,326  

2,312  
8  
6  

8,390  
(5,700) 

2,690  

(1,235) 
(295) 
(534) 
107  
(51) 

682  

71  
(159) 

594  

(124) 
12  
(7) 

475  

1,240  
1,715  

1,694  
15  
6  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

x € million 

Net profit for the period 

Other comprehensive income 

Remeasurements of defined benefit liability 
Fair value changes in other participating interests and other financial 
instruments 
Related tax 

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss 

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 
- Change for the period 
- Reclassified to the income statement on loss of significant influence 
Hedging reserve 
- Change for the period 
- Reclassified to the income statement 
Equity accounted investees – share of other comprehensive income 
Related tax 

Items that may subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss 

Notes 

2023  

2,326  

2022  

1,715  

24 

11 

16 

16 

(35) 

(37) 
9  

(63) 

(101) 
-   

27  
-   
(1) 
(2) 

(77) 

10  

(61) 
(10) 

(61) 

264  
(16) 

(6) 
53  
-   
(7) 

288  

Total other comprehensive income 

(140) 

227  

Total comprehensive income for the period, net of tax 

2,186  

1,942  

Attributable to:  
- Holders of shares parent company 
- Non-controlling interests 

17 
16 

2,184  
2  

1,930  
12  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements 

Consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 

x € million 

Assets 

Goodwill and intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Deferred tax assets 
Prepaid pension costs 
Share in associates and joint ventures 
Derivatives 
Other non-current assets 

Non-current assets 

Inventories 
Trade receivables 
Income tax receivables 
Other current receivables 
Derivatives 
Financial investments 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Assets held for sale 

Current assets 

Total assets 

Equity and liabilities 

Shareholders' equity 
Non-controlling interests 

Equity 

Deferred tax liabilities 
Employee benefit liabilities 
Provisions 
Borrowings 
Derivatives 
Other non-current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Employee benefit liabilities 
Provisions 
Borrowings 
Derivatives 
Trade payables 
Income tax payables 
Other current liabilities 
Liabilities held for sale  

Current liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

Notes 

2023  

2022  

8 
9 
7 
24 
10 
23 
11 

12 
13 
13 
13 
23 
14 
15 
3 

17 

16 

7 
24 
18 
19 
23 
20 

24 
18 
19 
23 
21 
21 
21 
3 

5,210  
3,492  
169  
15  
55  
46  
214  

9,201  

2,318  
1,535  
79  
286  
35  
101  
2,181  
6  

6,541  

5,147  
3,576  
95  
19  
61  
82  
295  

9,275  

2,339  
1,508  
36  
78  
42  
125  
2,755  
1,245  

8,128  

15,742  

17,403  

8,814  
109  

10,743  
102  

8,923  

10,845  

454  
289  
77  
2,487  
3  
130  

476  
287  
50  
2,978  
4  
205  

3,440  

4,000  

2  
34  
631  
28  
1,364  
133  
1,179  
8  

5  
45  
86  
23  
1,415  
64  
490  
430  

3,379  

2,558  

15,742  

17,403  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

35  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity (Note 16) 

Share capital 

Share 
premium 

Treasury 
shares 

Other 
reserves 

Retained 
earnings 

Shareholders
' equity 

Non-
controlling 
interests 

x € million 
Balance at 1 January 
2022 
Total comprehensive 
income 
Dividend 
Options / performance 
shares granted 
Options / performance 
shares vested / 
canceled  
Repurchase of shares 
Reissued shares 
Acquisition (divestment) 
of subsidiary with NCI 
Transfer 
Other changes 
Balance at 31 December 
2022 
. 
Total comprehensive 
income 
Dividend 
Options / performance 
shares granted 
Options / performance 
shares vested / 
canceled  
Reissued shares 
Repurchase of shares 
Cancellation of shares 
Acquisition of subsidiary 
with NCI 
Divestment of subsidiary 
with NCI 
Transfer 
Other changes 
Balance at 31 December 
2023 

328  

471  

(177) 

-   
-   

-   

-   
-   
-   

-   
-   
-   

-   
-   

-   

-   
-   
-   

-   
-   
-   

-   
-   

-   

-   
(210) 
191  

-   
-   
-   

328  

471  

(196) 

-   
-   

-   

-   
-   
-   
(67) 

-   

-   
-   
-   

-   
-   

-   

-   
-   
-   
(2) 

-   

-   
-   
-   

261  

469  

-   
-   

-   

-   
63  
(256) 
345  

-   

-   
44  
-   

-   

8,540  

1,700  
(459) 

9,318  

1,930  
(459) 

-   

34  

29  
-   
(50) 

-   
17  
-   

-   
(210) 
141  

-   
(11) 
-   

79  

12  
-   

-   

-   
-   
-   

(4) 
11  
4  

Total 
Equity 

9,397  

1,942  
(459) 

34  

-   
(210) 
141  

(4) 
-   
4  

9,777  

10,743  

102  

10,845  

2,292  
(3,935) 

2,184  
(3,935) 

-   

23  

23  
(39) 
-   
(276) 

-   

-   
(4) 
(4) 

-   
24  
(256) 
-   

-   

-   
35  
(4) 

2  
-   

-   

-   
-   
-   
-   

-   

(4) 
9  
-   

2,186  
(3,935) 

23  

-   
24  
(256) 
-   

-   

(4) 
44  
(4) 

156  

230  
-   

34  

(29) 
-   
-   

-   
(28) 
-   

363  

(108) 
-   

23  

(23) 
-   
-   
-   

-   

-   
(5) 
-   

250  

7,834  

8,814  

109  

8,923  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements 

Consolidated cash flow statement (Note 26) 

x € million 

2023  

2022  

Operating activities 
Net profit for the period 
Share of profit of associates and joint ventures (including discontinued operations)¹ 
Income tax expenses (including discontinued operations)¹ 

Profit before tax (including discontinued operations)¹ 
Finance income and expense (including discontinued operations)¹ 

Operating profit (including discontinued operations)¹ 
Depreciation, amortization and impairments (including discontinued operations)¹ 

EBITDA (including discontinued operations)¹ 

- (Gain) or loss from disposals 
- Acquisition- / divestment-related 
- Changes in provisions 
- Changes in employee benefits 
- Share-based compensation 
- Income taxes paid / received 
- Other non-cash items 

Operating cash flow before changes in working capital 
Changes in: 
Inventories 
Trade receivables 
Trade payables 

Changes in operating working capital 
Changes in non-operating working capital 

Changes in working capital 

2,326  
9  
21  

2,356  
59  

2,415  
944  

3,359  

(2,770) 
-  
10  
(34) 
23  
(107) 
97  

578  

58  
46  
(66) 

38  
(40) 

(2) 

1,715  
(5) 
190  

1,900  
94  

1,994  
652  

2,646  

(1,024) 
4  
(33) 
(15) 
34  
(131) 
(19) 

1,462  

(442) 
(133) 
116  

(459) 
(38) 

(497) 

Cash provided by operating activities 
1  The Consolidated cash flow statement includes an analysis of all cash flows in total, therefore including both continuing and  discontinued operations. 
For the amounts related to discontinued operations split by activities and a reconciliation of profit from continuing operations to total, including 
discontinued operations, see Note 3 Change in the scope of the consolidation to the consolidated financial statements. 

576  

965  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements 

Consolidated cash flow statement (Note 26) continued 

x € million 

Cash provided by operating activities 

Investing activities 

Capital expenditure for intangible assets 
Capital expenditure for property, plant and equipment 
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Payments regarding drawing rights 
Acquisition of subsidiaries 
Disposal of subsidiaries 
Payments for short-term financial investments 
Proceeds from short-term financial investments 
Other financial assets (incl. associates): 
- Dividends received 
- Capital payments and acquisitions 
- Proceeds from disposals 
- Additions to loans granted 
- Repayment of loans granted 
Interest received 

Cash from / (used in) investing activities 

Financing activities 

Contributions from non-controlling interests 
Proceeds from borrowings 
Repayment of borrowings 
Payments of lease liabilities 
Change in debt to credit institutions  
Proceeds from re-issued treasury shares 
Repurchase of shares 
Dividend paid 
Interest paid 
Funding cash pool 
Other 

Cash (used in) / from financing activities 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 
Effect of movements in exchange rates on cash held 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 

2023  

576  

(103) 
(439) 
20  
(8) 
(389) 
3,533  
(150) 
187  

4  
(15) 
26  
(35) 
31  
49  

2,711  

-  
2  
(21) 
(52) 
(1) 
8  
(256) 
(3,935) 
(14) 
425  
(8) 

(3,852) 

2,755  

(565) 
(9) 

2,181  

2022  

965  

(138) 
(506) 
17  
(7) 
(74) 
1,366  
(638) 
1,001  

4  
(33) 
30  
(152) 
-  
6  

876  

5  
51  
(29) 
(57) 
(21) 
25  
(210) 
(345) 
(52) 
-  
(12) 

(645) 

1,561  

1,196  
(2) 

2,755  

See Note 26 Notes to the cash flow statements to the consolidated financial statements for selected comments on 
statement of cash flow. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

38  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

1 General information 

Basis of preparation 
DSM’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 

Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union and the provisions of section 362-8 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil 
Code. 

In the following notes, all amounts are shown in millions of euros (€), unless otherwise stated. 

Changes in accounting policies 
DSM adopted International Tax Reform – Pillar Two Model Rules (Amendments to IAS 12) upon their release on 23 May 

2023. DSM applies the temporary mandatory exception from deferred tax accounting for the top-up tax, which is 

effective immediately.  

Pillar Two legislation has been enacted or substantively enacted in a number of jurisdictions in which DSM operates. 

Since the newly enacted tax legislation was not yet in effect in these jurisdictions in 2023, there is no current tax impact 

for the group for the year ended 31 December 2023. 

DSM actively monitors developments and the global legislative status of Pillar Two implementation in the jurisdictions 

where it operates. Furthermore, an assessment is made regarding the potential Pillar Two impact. Based on this 

assessment and considering the jurisdictions where the Pillar Two legislation is currently enacted or substantively 

enacted, DSM does not expect Pillar Two to have a material impact for the financial year 2024. 

Other new or amended standards that are effective from 1 January 2023 do not have a material effect on DSM’s 

consolidated financial statements. In addition, new or amended standards effective after 1 January 2023 were neither 
adopted early, nor are they expected to have significant impact. 

Group material accounting policies 
The below information outlines the general Group material accounting policies. Other specific material accounting 

policies that management considers to be the most important for the presentation of the financial position and results of 

DSM’s operations are included in the relevant notes and applied throughout the consolidated financial statements.  

Principles of consolidation 
As a parent company, DSM is exposed, or has a right, to the variable returns from its involvement with its subsidiaries and 

has the ability to affect the returns through its power over the subsidiaries. The financial data of subsidiaries are fully 

consolidated. Non-controlling interests in the Group's equity and profit and loss are stated separately. Subsidiaries are 

consolidated from the acquisition date until the date on which DSM ceases to have control. From the acquisition date 

onwards, all intra-group balances and transactions and unrealized profits or losses from intra-group transactions are 

eliminated.  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

A joint arrangement is an entity in which DSM holds an interest and which is jointly controlled by DSM and one or more 

other venturers under a contractual arrangement. A joint arrangement can either be a joint venture whereby DSM and the 

other partner(s) have rights to the net assets of the arrangement, or a joint operation where DSM and the partner(s) have 

rights to the assets and obligations for the liabilities of the arrangement. For joint ventures, the investment in the net 

assets is recognized and accounted for in accordance with the equity method, see also Note 10 Associates and joint 

arrangements to the consolidated financial statements. For a joint operation, assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses 

are recognized in the financial statements of DSM in accordance with the contractual entitlement or obligations of DSM. 

Foreign currencies 
The DSM's presentation currency is the euro (€), which is also the parent company's functional currency. 

Each entity of the Group records transactions and balance sheet items in its functional currency. Transactions 

denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are recorded at the spot exchange rates prevailing at the 

date of the transactions. 

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity are translated 

at the closing rates. Exchange differences resulting from the settlement of these transactions and from the translation of 

monetary items are recognized in the income statement. 

Non-monetary items that are measured on the basis of historical costs denominated in a currency other than the 

functional currency continue to be translated against the rate at initial recognition and will not result in exchange 

differences. 

On consolidation, the balance sheets of subsidiaries that do not have the euro as their functional currency are translated 

into euros at the closing rate. The income statements of these entities are translated into euros at the average rates for 

the relevant period. The functional currency in which goodwill paid on acquisition is recorded is based on the business 

case underlying the corresponding business combination. Exchange differences arising from the translation of the net 

investment in entities with a functional currency other than the euro are recorded in Other comprehensive income. The 

same applies to exchange differences arising from borrowings and other financial instruments insofar as those 

instruments hedge the currency risk related to the net investment. On disposal of an entity with a functional currency 

other than the euro, the cumulative exchange differences relating to the translation of the net investment are recognized 

in profit or loss. 

The currency exchange rates that were used in preparing the consolidated financial statements are listed below for the 

most important currencies. 

1 euro = 

US dollar 
Swiss franc 

Brazilian real 
Chinese renminbi 

Exchange rate at  
31 December 
2023  
1.11  
0.93  

5.36  
7.85  

2022  
1.07  
0.98  

5.64  
7.36  

Average exchange rate 

2023  
1.08  
0.97  

5.40  
7.66  

2022  
1.05  
1.00  

5.44  
7.08  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Emission rights 
DSM is subject to legislation encouraging reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and has been awarded emission rights 

(principally CO2 emission rights) in a number of jurisdictions. Emission rights are reserved for meeting delivery obligations 

and are recognized at cost. Income is recognized when surplus emission rights are sold to third parties. When actual 

emissions exceed the emission rights available to DSM, a liability is recognized for the expected additional costs. 

Significant accounting estimates and judgments 
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates that affect the 

application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses, and 

disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual outcomes could differ from 

those estimates. The estimates are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future 

events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. 

Furthermore, the application of the Group’s accounting policies may require management to make judgments, apart from 

those involving estimates, that can have a significant effect on the amounts recognized in the financial statements. 

Areas of management estimates and judgments that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the 

financial statements are disclosed, along with the material accounting policies, in the relevant notes. 

Presentation of Consolidated income statement 
DSM presents expenses in the Consolidated income statement in accordance with their function. This allows the 

presentation of gross profit on the face of the income statement, which is a widely used performance measure in the 

industry. The composition of the costs allocated to the individual functions is explained below. 

Cost of sales encompasses all manufacturing costs (including raw materials, employee benefits, and depreciation and 

amortization) related to goods and services captured in net sales. These are measured at their actual cost based on 

weighted average cost, or FIFO. 

Marketing & Sales relates to the selling and marketing of goods and services, and also includes all costs that are directly 

related to the sale of goods but are not originated by the manufacturing of the goods (e.g., outbound freight). 

Research & Development consists of: 

• 

Research, which is defined as original and planned investigation undertaken with the prospect of gaining new 

scientific or technical knowledge and understanding 

•  Development, which is defined as the application of research findings or other knowledge to a plan or design for 

the production of new or substantially improved materials, devices, products, processes, systems or services 

before the start of commercial production or use that do not meet the accounting requirements for 

capitalization 

General & Administrative relates to the strategic and governance role of the general management of the company as 

well as the representation of DSM as a whole in the financial, political, or business community. It also relates to business 

support activities of staff departments that are not directly related to the other functional areas. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

41 

 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

2 Alternative performance measures  

Accounting policy 
In monitoring the financial performance of DSM, management uses EBITDA as an Alternative performance measure (APM) 

not defined by IFRS. An APM should not be viewed in isolation as an alternative to the equivalent IFRS measure and 

should be used as supplementary information in conjunction with the most directly comparable IFRS measure. An APM 

does not have standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by 

other companies. 

In line with common industry practice, EBITDA is used as a metric to review DSM’s financial performance. 

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) is defined as the IFRS metric operating profit 

plus depreciation, amortization, and impairments. 

Reconciliation of Alternative performance measures (continuing operations) 

Operating profit (loss) 
Depreciation, amortization and impairments 

EBITDA 

2023  

(412) 
944  

532  

2022  

682  
622  

1,304  

3 Change in the scope of consolidation 

Accounting policy 
Business combinations 
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method from the moment control is transferred to the 

Group. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the consideration transferred, including assets 

transferred, shares issued, and liabilities incurred, measured at acquisition date fair value. Acquisition-related costs 

incurred are expensed, except if related to the issue of debt or equity securities. As of the acquisition date, identifiable 

assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree are recognized separately from 

goodwill. Identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are measured at acquisition date fair value. For each 

business combination, DSM elects whether it measures the non-controlling interest in the acquiree at fair value or at the 

proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets. Any contingent consideration payable is measured at fair 

value at the acquisition date; subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration resulting from events 

after the acquisition date are recognized in profit or loss. 

For business combinations with the acquisition date in the prior reporting period, comparative information is revised in 

case adjustments are made during the measurement period to the provisional amounts, determined as part of the 

purchase price allocation (PPA), based on information available at the acquisition date. 

Non-current assets and disposal groups held for sale 
Non-current assets and disposal groups (assets and liabilities relating to an activity that is to be sold) are classified as 

‘held for sale’ if their carrying amount is to be recovered principally through a sales transaction rather than through 

continuing use. The reclassification takes place when the assets are available for immediate sale and the sale is highly 

probable. These conditions are usually met as from the date on which a letter of intent or agreement to sell is ready for 

signing. Non-current assets and disposal groups held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value 

less costs to sell. Non-current assets held for sale are not depreciated or amortized.  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

42 

 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Discontinued operations 
Discontinued operations comprise those activities that were disposed of during the period, or which were classified as 

held for sale at the end of the period and represent a separate major line of business or geographical area that can be 

clearly distinguished for operational and financial reporting purposes. Classification as a discontinued operation occurs 

when the operation meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale. 

Estimates and judgments 
Key estimates DSM makes in the accounting for changes in the scope of consolidation relate to the determination of fair 

values for assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations. These estimates are based on historical 

quoted market prices plus past experience, and are validated by external valuation specialists where deemed necessary 

by management.  

Acquisitions 
In 2023, DSM acquired businesses for a total consideration of €292 million (in 2022: €77 million).  

Adare Biome 
On 1 July 2023, DSM acquired a 100% interest in Adare Biome, headquartered in Houdan (France) for a total cash 

consideration of €290 million. Adare Biome is a pioneer in the development and manufacturing of postbiotics, a rapidly 

emerging segment of the gut health market. All identified synergies of this acquisition are revenue synergies. 

In accordance with IFRS 3, the purchase price was provisionally allocated to identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, 

pending final confirmation of the local valuator. This allocation resulted in a non-tax-deductible goodwill amount of €146 

million and intangible assets for technology of €105 million, customer relations of €45 million, and trade names of €11 

million. 

The goodwill relates to the value of future intangible assets, the Culturelle® synergy, and the assembled workforce. As the 

Adare Biome workforce does not qualify for separate recognition as an intangible asset under IFRS, it was valued to 

estimate a contributory asset charge for the valuation of technology and rationalize part of the residual goodwill. 

The acquisition of Adare Biome contributed €12 million to net sales, -€5 million to operating result, and €2 million to 

EBITDA during the second half year. If the acquisition had occurred on 1 January 2023, additional net sales would have 

been approximately €29 million, operating result -€5 million, and EBITDA €6 million. 

Finalization of Prodap PPA 
In the reporting year, the Purchase Price Allocation (PPA) related to the acquisition of Prodap in Brazil in 2022 was 

finalized without any changes in relation to the purchase price allocation as disclosed in the DSM Integrated Annual 

Report of 2022. 

Valuation techniques intangible assets 
Part of a PPA is the recognition of intangible assets which are recognized apart from goodwill. The valuation techniques 

DSM used for measuring the fair value of these intangible assets in 2023 were as follows: 

Technology was identified as the key business driver and leading intangible assets of Adare Biome, and therefore the 

multi-period excess earnings method (MEEM) was applied to value it. 

The trade names were valued by applying the relief from royalty (RfR) method, a form of the income approach whereby 

the value of an asset is estimated by capitalizing the royalties saved as a result of owning the asset. 

The fair values of customer relationships were determined by applying the MEEM approach, considering the present 

value of the projected cash flow revenues and adjusted for retention. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

43 

 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Summary acquisitions in 2023 
The accounting of the acquisitions upon closing impacted DSM’s consolidated balance sheet 2023 as shown in the below 

table (measured at the date of acquisition). 

Impact acquisitions on balance sheet in 2023 
Fair value 

Assets 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Inventories 
Receivables and other current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Non-controlling interests and liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 
Current liabilities 

Total non-controlling interests and liabilities 

Net assets 

Acquisition price (in cash) 
Other 

Consideration 

Goodwill 

Acquisition costs (excluding inventory step-up) 

Adare Biome 

Other 
acquisitions 

Total 

161  
17  
8  
13  
1  

200  

46  
10  

56  

144  

290  
-   

290  

146  

4  

1  
-   
-   
-   
-   

1  

-   
-   

-   

1  

2  
-   

2  

1  

-   

162  
17  
8  
13  
1  

201  

46  
10  

56  

145  

292  
-   

292  

147  

4  

The fair value of the acquired receivables is based on the gross contractual amounts, adjusted for estimated contractual 
cash flows not expected to be collected. 

Divestments 
Divestment of Engineering Materials 
On 1 April 2023, the company completed the divestment of its Engineering Materials business (DEM) to Advent 

International and LANXESS. Prior to this divestment, the results of this business (the ‘disposal group’) were reclassified to 

discontinued operations. 

Summary of divestments in 2023 
See below table for the book result of the divestments that took place in the reporting year. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

 Engineering Materials (DEM)  

 Other  

 Total  

Assets 
Goodwill and intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Other non-current assets 
Inventories 
Receivables and other current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

Non-controlling interests and liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 
Current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 
Non-controlling interest 

Net assets dsm-firmenich shareholders 

Consideration 
(net of selling costs, translation differences and 
net debt) 

Book result 2023 

Income tax 

Net book result 

(217) 
(374) 
(32) 
(329) 
(264) 
(161) 

(1,377) 

(74) 
(439) 

(513) 

(864) 
(3) 

(861) 

3,689  

2,828  

(38) 

2,790  

-   
-   
-   
-   
(1) 
(8) 

(9) 

-   
(5) 

(5) 

(4) 
-   

(4) 

1  

(3) 

-   

(3) 

(217) 
(374) 
(32) 
(329) 
(265) 
(169) 

(1,386) 

(74) 
(444) 

(518) 

(868) 
(3) 

(865) 

3,690  

2,825  

(38) 

2,787  

Impact on comprehensive income 
The impact of the business that has been presented as discontinued operations in the income statement and statement 

of comprehensive income is presented in the below tables. 

Net sales 

EBITDA 
Total expenses 
Operating profit 
Financial income and expense 
Profit (loss) before income tax 
expense 
Income tax expense 

Results related to associates and joint 
ventures 

 Continuing 
operations  
7,590  

2023 
 Discontinued 
operations  
388  

532  
8,272  
(412) 
(58) 

(470) 
16  

2,827  
(2,439) 
2,827  
(1) 

2,826  
(37) 

 Total 

7,978  

3,359  
5,833  
2,415  
(59) 

2,356  
(21) 

(9) 

-   

(9) 

Net profit (loss) for the year 

(463) 

2,789  

2,326  

Of which: 

 Continuing 
operations  
8,390  

2022 
 Discontinued 
operations  
2,090  

1,304  
7,708  
682  
(88) 

594  
(124) 

5  

475  

1,342  
778  
1,312  
(6) 

1,306  
(66) 

-   

1,240  

 Total 

10,480  

2,646  
8,486  
1,994  
(94) 

1,900  
(190) 

5  

1,715  

- Attributable to non-controlling interests 
- Dividend on Cumulative Preference Shares 
- Available to holders of ordinary shares 

8  
6  
(477) 

-   
-   
2,789  

8  
6  
2,312  

13  
6  
456  

2  
-   
1,238  

15  
6  
1,694  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

The operating profit in discontinued operations amounting to €2,827 million comprises the regular activities of the DEM 

business in the first three months of the reporting year (-€1 million) and the book profit on the sale of the DEM business 

on 1 April 2023 (€2,828 million). The business results reclassified to discontinued operations include also intercompany 

recharges that ceased to be earned/incurred on disposal. Corporate costs have been excluded from the reclassification 

to discontinued operations. The comparative numbers in the Income statement and the Statement of comprehensive 

income are re-presented as if the activities of the DEM business had been discontinued from the start of the 

comparative year 2022. In addition, these comparative numbers also include eight months of results related to former 

DSM’s Protective Materials business, which was divested in September 2022.  

See also the section Assets and liabilities held for sale here below. 

Net profit from discontinued operations 

Other comprehensive income 
Remeasurements of defined benefit pension plans 
Fair value changes in Other participating interests and other financial instruments 

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss 

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 
- Change for the year 

Items that may subsequently be reclassified to profit or loss 

2023  

2,789  

-   
-   

-   

(4) 

(4) 

2022  

1,240  

1  
(1) 

-   

(44) 

(44) 

Total comprehensive income discontinued operations 

2,785  

1,196  

Of which: 
- Attributable to non-controlling interests 
- Available to equity holders of DSM 

-   
2,785  

1  
1,195  

Impact on cash flow statement 
The impact of the business that has been included as discontinued operations in the cash flow statement is shown in the 

following table. 

Net cash provided by / (used in): 
- Operating activities 
- Investing activities 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 

2023  

2022  

70  
3,517  
3,587  

190  
1,291  
1,481  

See also Note 26 Notes to the cash flow statements to the consolidated financial statements. 

Assets and liabilities held for sale 
Jiangshan 
The production of vitamin C in Jiangshan, China, which had already been significantly reduced since the end of 2022, was 

completely shut down in mid-May. At the end of 2023, the assets and liabilities of Jiangshan met the criteria for 

classification as held for sale. 

Impact on balance sheet 
The impact of the reclassification of the above-mentioned activities on the DSM consolidated balance sheet is 

presented in the following table. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Assets 

Non-current assets 
Other non-current assets 

Current assets 
Inventories 
Receivables 

Total assets 

Liabilities 
Non-current liabilities  
Current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

2023  

1  

4  
1  

6  

2  
6  

8  

(2) 

4 Segment information 

Accounting policy 
DSM has segmented its operations by business activity from which revenues are earned and expenses incurred. These 

operating results are regularly reviewed by the Managing Board, DSM’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM), to make 

decisions about resources to be allocated to the operating segments and assess their performance. DSM uses EBITDA as 

the main indicator to evaluate the consolidated performance as well as the performance per operating segment. Discrete 

financial information is available for each identified operating segment. DSM has determined that Taste, Texture & Health 

- DSM (TTH-DSM), Health, Nutrition & Care - DSM (HNC-DSM), and Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) represent reportable 

operating segments in addition to the reportable segment Corporate Activities. 

The same accounting policies that are applied for the consolidated financial statements of DSM are also applied for the 

operating segments. Prices for transactions between segments are determined on an arm’s length basis at market-based 

prices. Segment results, assets and liabilities include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can 

reasonably and consistently be allocated. Interest income, interest expense, and income tax expense or income are not 

allocated to segments as these amounts are not included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the 

Managing Board.  

Selected information on a country and regional basis is provided in addition to the information about operating 

segments. 

Operating segments 
DSM is organized into three Business Units: 

• 

Taste, Texture & Health - DSM (TTH-DSM) helps customers create food and beverage products that are 

delicious, nutritious, affordable, and sustainable. This Business Unit provides enjoyment and nourishment for 

consumers, business success for customers, and better health for people and planet This Business Unit mainly 

consists of the Ingredients Solutions business 

•  Health, Nutrition & Care - DSM (HNC-DSM) provides people solutions to help them look after their health by 

adding critical nutrients to diet. This Business Unit drives medical innovation forward, helping to accelerate 

recovery times and enhancing quality of life. This Business Unit mainly consists of DSM’s former Health, Nutrition 

& Care business, including the Personal Care & Aroma Ingredients business 

•  Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) delivers healthy animal proteins efficiently and sustainably, harnessing the 

power of data to make animal farming practices more sustainable, productive, and transparent 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

For 2023, these Business Units have been identified as the reportable operating segments of DSM.  

Any consolidated activities outside the three reportable operating segments above are reported as the reportable 

segment ‘Corporate Activities’. These consist of corporate operating and service activities that are not further allocated 

to the operating segments. 

DSM does not have a single external customer that represents 10% or more of total sales. 

Geographical information 

2022 

Net sales (by destination) 

Nether- 
lands 

Switzer- 
land 

Rest of 
EMEA 

North 
America 

Latin 
America 

China 

Rest of 
Asia 

Total 

In € millions 
In % 
. 
Workforce at year-end (headcount)¹ 
Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment at 
year-end (carrying amount) 

402  
5  

156  
2  

2,305  
26  

1,869  
22  

1,507  
18  

803  
10  

1,348  
17  

8,390  
100  

2,642  

2,232  

4,366  

2,618  

2,302  

4,591  

1,931   20,682  

1,304  

1,852  

2,105  

2,143  

404  

774  

141  

8,723  

. 
2023 

Net sales (by destination) 

In € millions 
In % 
. 
Workforce at period-end (headcount) 
Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment at 
period-end (carrying amount) 
1  Refers to total Group, including discontinued operations. 

Reportable segments 

388  
5  

165  
2  

2,072  
27  

1,711  
23  

1,331  
18  

780  
10  

1,143  
15  

7,590  
100  

1,783  

2,274  

4,274  

2,447  

2,555  

3,785  

1,737  

18,855  

1,665  

1,950  

2,220  

1,937  

422  

423  

85  

8,702  

2022 

Net sales 

EBITDA1 
Operating profit 
. 

2023 

Net sales 

Taste, 
Texture & 
Health - DSM 

Health, 
Nutrition & 
Care - DSM 

Animal 
Nutrition & 
Health 

Corporate 
Activities 

Total 
continuing 
operations 

Discontinued 
operations 

TOTAL 

1,545  

2,990  

3,784  

71  

8,390  

2,090  

10,480  

245  
115  

669  
420  

523  
328  

(133) 
(181) 

1,304  
682  

1,342  
1,312  

2,646  
1,994  

1,435  

2,806  

3,223  

126  

7,590  

388  

7,978  

EBITDA1 
Operating profit 
. 
1 See Note 2 Alternative performance measures to the consolidated financial statements for the reconciliation to IFRS performance measures.  

(30) 
(504) 

(140) 
(204) 

532  
(412) 

489  
211  

213  
85  

2,827  
2,827  

3,359  
2,415  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

5 Net sales and costs 

Accounting policy 
Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized by identifying the contract and its performance obligations as well 

as determination and allocation of the transaction price to these performance obligations. Net sales represent the 

invoice value less estimated rebates, cash discounts, and indirect taxes. No element of financing is deemed present as 

sales are made with a short-term credit term.  

The payment terms are determined per business segment on a customer basis. DSM has neither specific obligations for 

returns or refunds, nor specific warranties or other related obligations. 

Sale of goods 
At DSM, revenue related to the sale of goods is recognized in the income statement when the performance obligation is 

satisfied. This is at the point in time when transfer of control of the goods passes to the buyer. Fulfilment of the 

performance obligations related to goods sold is measured using the commercial shipment terms as an indicator for the 

transfer of control. Revenue recognized is measured at the fair value of the contractual transaction price allocated to the 

performance obligation that is satisfied. 

Rendering of services 
Income coming from the rendering of services is recognized when the service, i.e., the performance obligation, has been 

performed. Fulfillment of the performance obligations for services rendered is identified according to the individual 

contract. The revenue recognized is measured at the fair value of the contractual transaction price allocated to the 

performance obligation that is satisfied. 

Licensing (royalties) 
Income related to the sale or licensing of technologies or technological expertise is recognized in the income statement 

either at a point in time or over time, depending on when the contractually identified performance obligations are 

satisfied. Performance obligations related to license income include the transfer of rights and obligations associated with 

those technologies. License income is reported in Net sales when the income is part of the ordinary and recurring 

activities of the business and, if this is not the case, it is reported in Other operating income. 

Net sales 

Goods sold 
Services rendered 
Royalties 

Total 

Disaggregation of net sales 

Taste, Texture & Health - DSM (TTH-DSM) 
Health, Nutrition & Care - DSM (HNC-DSM) 
Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) 
Corporate Activities 

Total 

2023  

7,325  
253  
12  

7,590  

2023  

1,435  
2,806  
3,223  
126  

7,590  

2022  

8,191  
193  
6  

8,390  

2022  

1,545  
2,990  
3,784  
71  

8,390  

Total costs 
In 2023, total operating costs (the total costs included in operating profit) amounted to €8.0 billion, €0.3 billion higher 

than in 2022, when these costs stood at €7.7 billion. Total operating costs in 2023 included Cost of sales amounting to 

€6.0 billion (2022: €5.7 billion); gross profit as a percentage of net sales stood at 21% (2022: 32%). 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

49 

 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Employee benefit costs 

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Pension costs (see also Note 24) 
Share-based compensation (see also Note 27) 

Total 

Depreciation, amortization and impairments 

Amortization of intangible assets 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment owned 
Depreciation of right-of-use assets 
Impairment losses 

Total 

2023  

1,426  
181  
96  
23  

1,726  

2022  

1,353  
169  
102  
35  

1,659  

2023  

2022  

245  
340  
51  
308  

944  

234  
325  
49  
14  

622  

Impairments of PPE, goodwill, and intangible assets of €308 million mainly relate to the vitamins business. Due to the 

weakening of the vitamins market, the company has taken several measures, including the restructuring of its vitamin 

asset footprint, to significantly reduce the costs. This includes the closure of the Xinghuo vitamin B6 plant in China and 

the refocusing of the company’s vitamin C activities on its specialty Quali®-C from Dalry (UK) only. The production of 

vitamin C in Jiangshan (China), which had already been significantly reduced since the end of 2022, was completely shut 

down in mid-May.  At the end of 2023, the assets and liabilities of Jiangshan met the criteria for classification as held for 

sale. 

Other operating income 

Release of provisions 
Gain on sale of assets and activities 
Insurance benefits 
Amendments / settlements to pension plans 
Earn-out payments and other settlements 
Lease income 
Royalties 
Sale of emission rights 
Sundry 

Total 

Other operating expense 

Additions to provisions 
Exchange differences 
Acquisitions / disposals 
Damages w.r.t insurance 
Sundry 

Total 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

2023  

2022  

-   
23  
22  
1  
57  
4  
2  
8  
38  

10  
31  
12  
2  
9  
7  
4  
-   
32  

155  

107  

2023  

2022  

22  
13  
56  
-   
23  

114  

4  
18  
3  
4  
22  

51  

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

6 Finance income and expense 

2023  

2022  

Finance income 
Interest income from third parties 
Interest income from related parties 
Fair value change in derivatives 
Sundry 

Total finance income 

Finance expense 
Interest expense from third parties 
Interest expense from related parties 
Interest relating to lease liabilities 
Interest relating to defined benefit plans 
Fair value change in derivatives 
Capitalized interest during construction 
Exchange differences 
Unwinding of discounted payables 
Sundry 

Total finance expense 

Total finance income and expense 

93  
25  
6  
5  

129  

(91) 
(20) 
(5) 
(7) 
(33) 
4  
(8) 
(22) 
(5) 

(187) 

(58) 

22  
-   
46  
3  

71  

(101) 
-   
(6) 
(3) 
(14) 
3  
(2) 
(23) 
(13) 

(159) 

(88) 

In 2023, the interest rate applied in the capitalization of interest during construction was 2.5% (same as in 2022).  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

7 Income tax 

Accounting policy 
Income tax expense is recognized in the income statement except to the extent that it relates to an item recognized 

directly in Other comprehensive income or Shareholders’ equity. 

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted at the 

balance sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable with respect to previous years. The current tax position also 

reflects any uncertainty related to income taxes. Current tax assets and liabilities are offset only if certain criteria are 

met. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected tax consequences of temporary differences between 

the carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their tax base. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax 

rates that have been enacted or substantially enacted at the balance sheet date, and reflect any uncertainty related to 

income taxes and are expected to apply when the related deferred tax assets are realized or the deferred tax liabilities 

are settled. Deferred tax assets, including assets arising from losses carried forward and tax credits, are reassessed over 

time and recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the 

deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses can be utilized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are stated at 

nominal value. 

Deferred taxes are not recognized for the following temporary differences: the initial recognition of goodwill, the initial 

recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit, and differences relating to 

investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets 

and deferred tax liabilities are offset and presented net when there is a legally enforceable right to offset, and the assets 

and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority. 

Estimates and judgments 
Key estimates for income tax generally relate to uncertain tax positions that could result from different interpretation of 

tax legislation by local tax authorities in the countries where DSM operates. For the measurement of the uncertainty, DSM 

uses the most likely amount or the expected value method to estimate the underlying risk. This requires judgements and 

final outcome may deviate from the estimates. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

52 

 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Income tax 
The income tax benefit on continuing operations was €16 million, which represents an effective income tax rate of 3.4% 

(2022: tax expense of €124 million, representing an effective income tax rate of 20.9%). The amount excludes tax expense 

from discontinued operations of €37 million (2022: €66 million) and can be broken down as follows. 

Current tax (expense) / benefit: 
- Current year 
- Prior-year adjustments 
- Tax credits compensated 
- Non-recoverable withholding tax 

Total current tax (expense) / benefit 

Deferred tax (expense) / benefit: 
- Originating from temporary differences and their reversal 
- Prior-year adjustments 
- Change in tax rate 
- Changes arising from write-down of deferred tax assets 
- Changes in previously and newly recognized tax losses and tax credits  

Total deferred tax (expense) / benefit 

Total tax (expense) / benefit 

2023  

2022  

(121) 
8  
10  
(4) 

(107) 

139  
4  
4  
(33) 
9  

123  

16  

(121) 
16  
3  
(5) 

(107) 

(16) 
(17) 
15  
7  
(6) 

(17) 

(124) 

The relationship between the income tax rate in the Netherlands and the effective tax rate on the taxable result can be 

explained as follows. 

Effective tax rate (continuing operations) 
In % 

Domestic income tax rate 

Tax effects of: 
- Deviating rates 
- Change in tax rates 
- Tax-exempt income and non-deductible expense 
- Other effects 
Effective tax rate 

2023  

25.8  

(22.0) 
0.8  
5.2  
(6.4) 
3.4  

2022  

25.8  

(5.4) 
(2.4) 
1.9  
1.0  
20.9  

The total effective tax rate on the taxable result in 2023 was 3.4% (2022: 20.9%). 

The variation in effective tax rate arises due to changes in the total Group result in combination with the geographical 

spread of our results within the Group, changes in tax rates under local tax law, tax-exempt income and non-deductible 

expenses. Due to the loss position in 2023, items such as the geographical spread of our results and non-deductible 

expenses led to a reduction of our effective tax rate. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

The balance of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities fell by €96 million owing to the changes presented in 
the following table.  

Deferred tax assets and liabilities 

Balance at 1 January 
Deferred tax assets 
Deferred tax liabilities 

Total 

Changes: 
- Income tax income / (expense) in income statement 
- Income tax: change in tax percentage 

Total income statement 

- Income tax expense in OCI 
- Acquisitions and disposals 
- Exchange differences 
- Reclassification to held for sale 
- Transfer 

Balance at 31 December 

Of which: 
- Deferred tax assets 
- Deferred tax liabilities 

2023  

2022  

95  
(476) 

(381) 

106  
4  

110  

7  
(44) 
3  
-   
20  

203  
(490) 

(287) 

(52) 
15  

(37) 

(17) 
(6) 
(13) 
(21) 
-   

(285) 

(381) 

169  
(454) 

95  
(476) 

In various countries, DSM has taken standpoints regarding its tax position which may at any time be challenged, or have 
already been challenged, by the tax authorities, because the authorities in question interpret the law differently. For 
particular tax treatments whose acceptance by the relevant tax authorities is uncertain, DSM either recognizes a liability 
or reflects the uncertainty in the recognition and measurement of its current and deferred tax assets and liabilities.  

The deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to the following balance sheet items.  

Deferred tax assets and liabilities by balance sheet item 

Intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 
Right-of-use assets 
Financial assets 
Inventories 
Receivables 
Lease liabilities non-current 
Other non-current liabilities 
Non-current provisions 
Other current liabilities 
Lease liabilities current 

Tax losses carried forward and credits 

Set-off 
Total 

2023 

2022 

Deferred tax 
assets 
11  

Deferred tax 
liabilities 
(378) 

Deferred tax 
assets 
28  

Deferred tax 
liabilities 
(368) 

29  
-  
35  
59  
7  
18  
1  
49  
45  
9  
263  

59  

(153) 
169  

(167) 
(24) 
(14) 
(7) 
(13) 
-  
(2) 
-  
(2) 
-  
(607) 

-  

153  
(454) 

15  
-  
28  
36  
5  
25  
1  
41  
66  
11  
256  

47  

(208) 
95  

(181) 
(34) 
(25) 
(46) 
(22) 
-  
(2) 
-  
(6) 
-  
(684) 

-  

208  
(476) 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

No deferred tax assets were recognized for loss carryforwards amounting to €188 million (2022: €153 million). 

Unrecognized loss carryforwards amounting to €78 million will expire in the years up to and including 2028 (2022: €54 

million up to and including 2027), €1 million between 2029 and 2033 (2022: €30 million between 2028 and 2032) and 

the remaining €110 million in 2034 and beyond (2022: €69 million between 2033 and beyond). In addition, an amount of 

€9 million (2022: €17 million) of withholding taxes was unrecognized.  

No deferred tax liability is recognized on temporary differences relating to unremitted retained earnings of subsidiaries 

as the group is able to control the timings of the reversal of these temporary differences and it is probable that they will 

not reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of unremitted retained earnings on which no deferred tax liability has 

been provided for represents €592 million (2022: €875 million). 

The valuation of deferred tax assets depends on the probability of the reversal of temporary differences and the 

utilization of tax loss carryforwards, tax credits and withholding tax. Deferred tax assets are recognized for future tax 

benefits arising from temporary differences and for tax loss carryforwards to the extent that the tax benefits are 

probable. DSM has to assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable profits. Deferred 

tax assets are reduced if, and to the extent that, it is not probable that all or some portion of the deferred tax assets will 

be realized. In the event that actual future results differ from estimates and depending on tax strategies that DSM may be 

able to implement, changes to the measurement of deferred taxes could be required, which could have an impact on the 

company's financial position and profit for the year.  

8 GoodwilI and intangible assets 

Accounting policy 
Goodwill 
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over DSM’s share in the net fair value of the identifiable 

assets and liabilities in a business combination. Goodwill paid on acquisition of subsidiaries is included in intangible 

assets. Goodwill paid on acquisition of joint ventures or associates is included in the carrying amount of these entities. 

Goodwill recognized as an intangible asset is tested for impairment annually, and when there are indications that the 

carrying amount may exceed the recoverable amount. A gain or loss on the disposal of an entity includes the carrying 

amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold. 

Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination 
Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recognized at fair value on the date of acquisition and 

subsequently amortized on a straight-line basis over their expected useful lives. The expected useful lives vary from 4 to 

20 years. 

Separately acquired intangible assets 
Separately acquired licenses, patents, application software and other purchased rights are carried at historical cost less 

straight-line amortization and less any impairment losses. The expected useful lives vary from 4 to 20 years. 

Capital expenditure that is directly related to the development of application software is recognized as an intangible 

asset and amortized over its estimated useful life (5 to 8 years). Costs of software maintenance are expensed when 

incurred. 

Internally generated intangible assets 
Research costs are expensed when incurred. An internally generated intangible asset arising from development 

expenditure is recognized if it is demonstrated that it is technically feasible to complete the asset; that the entity intends 

to complete the asset; that the entity is able to sell the asset; that the asset is capable of generating future economic 

benefits; that adequate resources are available to complete the asset; and that the expenditure attributable to the asset 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

55 

 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

can be reliably measured. Development expenditure that meets the recognition criteria is amortized over the asset’s 

useful life on a straight-line basis.  

As long as internally generated intangible assets are under construction, these intangible assets are not amortized as 

they are not yet available for use. Instead, they are subject to a review for impairment annually, or more frequently if 

events or circumstances indicate this is necessary. Any impairment is charged to the income statement as it arises. 

Impairment of non-financial assets 
When there are indications that the carrying amount of a non-financial asset (goodwill, an intangible asset or an item of 

property, plant and equipment) may exceed the estimated recoverable amount (the higher of its value in use and fair 

value less costs of disposal), the possible existence of an impairment loss is investigated. If an asset does not generate 

largely independent cash flows, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash generating unit (CGU) to which the 

asset belongs. In assessing the value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a 

pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market interest rates and the risks specific to the asset or CGU. 

When the recoverable amount of a non-financial asset or a CGU is less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount is 

impaired to its recoverable amount and an impairment charge is recognized in profit or loss. An impairment loss is 

reversed when there has been a change in estimate that is relevant for the determination of the asset’s recoverable 

amount since the last impairment loss was recognized. Impairment losses for goodwill are never reversed. 

Estimates and judgments 
Key estimates and judgments DSM makes in the accounting for goodwill and intangible assets relate to:  

• 

• 

• 

The amortization period of intangible assets, which depends on their useful lives 

The determination of CGUs, which depends on the capacity of the asset or group of assets to generate 

independent cash flows 

The estimation and allocation of future cash flows, growth rates, discount rates and fair values minus costs of 

disposal for the impairment testing of goodwill and intangible assets. These estimates are based on historical and 

current market rates, quoted prices, experience, current business outlooks, and validated by external valuation 

specialists, where deemed necessary by management. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

56 

 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Goodwill and intangible assets 

Goodwill 

Customer 
base 

Brands and 
trademarks 

Technology 
and formulas 

Internally 
generated 

Software, 
licenses 
and 
patents 

Other 

Total 

Balance at 1 January 2022 

Cost 

2,943  

1,140  

Amortization and impairment losses   

14  

Carrying amount 

2,928  

Changes in carrying amount: 

- Capital expenditure 
- Put into operation 
- Acquisitions 
- Disposal subs 
- Amortization 
- Impairment losses 
- Exchange differences 
- Reclassification to held for sale 
- Transfers 
- Other 

Balance at 31 December 2022 

-   
-   
52  
(46) 
-   
(4) 
80  
(26) 
-   
-   
56  

468  

672  

-   
-   
11  

(66) 
-   
14  
-   
22  

(19) 

117  

52  

65  

-   
-   
4  

(10) 
-   
3  
-   
-   

(3) 

898  

592  

570  

659  

6,919  

161  

737  

-   
-   
17  
-   
(58) 
-   
16  
-   
22  
1  
(2) 

395  

174  

345  

1,609  

197  

396  

314  

5,309  

8  
90  
-   
(7) 
(49) 
(3) 
6  
-   
(1) 
8  
52  

130  
(100) 
2  
(7) 
(34) 
5  
10  
(11) 
-   
(1) 
(6) 

-   
10  
-   
(4) 
(23) 
-   
-   
(182) 
(43) 
2  
(240) 

138  
-   
86  
(64) 
(240) 
(2) 
129  
(219) 
-   
10  
(162) 

Cost 

2,989  

1,249  

124  

1,005  

612  

576  

270  

6,825  

Amortization and impairment losses   

Carrying amount 

- Of which acquisition related 
. 
Changes in carrying amount: 

- Capital expenditure 
- Put into operation 
- Acquisitions 
- Disposal subs 
- Amortization 
- Impairment losses 
- Exchange differences 
- Reclassification to held for sale 
- Transfers 
- Other 

Balance at 31 December 2023 

5  

2,984  

2,984  

-   
-   
147  
-   
-   
(28) 
(63) 
-   
-   
-   
56  

596  

653  

653  

1  
2  
45  
-   
(61) 
(3) 
5  
-   
3  
-   
(8) 

62  

62  

62  

-   
2  
11  
-   
(8) 
-   
-   
-   
20  
-   
25  

270  

735  

735  

-   
1  
105  
-   
(63) 
(13) 
4  
-   
12  
-   
46  

363  

249  

186  

390  

196  

74  

1,678  

5,147  

2  

-  

36  

4,472  

2  
57  
-   
-   
(66) 
(1) 
7  
-   
(5) 
-   
(6) 

98  
(62) 
-   
-   
(38) 
(13) 
11  
2  
(12) 
-   
(14) 

2  
-   
1  
-   
(9) 
(7) 
(4) 
-   
(11) 
(8) 
(36) 

103  
-   
309  
-   
(245) 
(65) 
(40) 
2  
7  
(8) 
63  

Cost 

3,061  

1,305  

158  

1,127  

673  

612  

258  

7,194  

Amortization and impairment losses   

Carrying amount 

- Of which acquisition-related 

21  

3,040  

3,040  

660  

645  

645  

71  

87  

87  

346  

781  

781  

430  

243  

236  

376  

220  

38  

1,984  

5,210  

-   

-   

13  

4,566  

The amortization and impairment losses of goodwill and intangible assets are included in Cost of sales, Marketing & Sales, 

Research & Development and General & Administrative expenses. 

Where DSM acquired entities in business combinations, they were accounted for by the acquisition method, resulting in 

recognition of mainly goodwill, customer- and marketing-related, and technology-based intangible assets. The amounts 

assigned to the acquired assets and liabilities are based on assumptions and estimates about their fair values. In making 

these estimates, management consults independent, qualified appraisers where appropriate.  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Other significant intangibles were mainly obtained during the acquisitions of Erber Group and Glycom in 2020, and F&F 

Amyris and First Choice Ingredients in 2021. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis and subject to 

impairment trigger testing. There are no intangible assets with an indefinite useful life (same as in 2022).  

The carrying amount of the internally generated intangible assets includes €133 million (2022: €143 million) that relates 

mainly to strategic projects which are not being amortized yet. The recoverable amount of these projects was estimated 

based on the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from the projects (value-in-use). 

Goodwill 
The CGUs DSM identified in 2023 were Taste, Texture & Health – DSM (TTH-DSM), (F&B), Health, Nutrition & Care (HNC), 

and Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH). 

Goodwill per Cash generating unit 

Taste, Texture & Health - DSM (TTH-DSM) 
Health, Nutrition & Care - DSM (HNC-DSM) 
Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) 

Total 

2023  

577  
1,480  
983  

3,040  

2022  

544  
1,429  
1,011  

2,984  

The annual impairment tests of goodwill are performed in the fourth quarter. The recoverable amount of the CGUs is 

based on a value-in-use calculation.   

The cash flow projections are derived from dsm-firmenich’s overall business plan as DSM does not operate in isolation 

from the dsm-firmenich Group. DSM’s derived business plan is adopted by the Managing Board. The DSM specific cash 

flow projections are based on the derived budget for 2024, as approved by DSM’s management, which is extrapolated 

throughout the remainder of the forecast period using management’s internal forecasts. The key assumptions in the cash 

flow projections relate to the market growth for the CGUs and the related revenue projections, EBITDA developments, and 

the rates used for discounting cash flows. For the CGUs HNC-DSM and ANH, which are considered mature businesses, a 

forecast period of five years is applied before they come to a terminal value. For TTH-DSM, an initial forecast period of 

ten years was applied, reflecting the extended period of time during which the identified synergies arising from the 

merger are expected to contribute to the growth of this CGU. The terminal value growth rate is determined with the 

assumption of inflationary growth. 

Key assumptions for goodwill impairment tests 

Forecast period (years) 
- Mature business 
- Emerging business 

Terminal value growth 

Pre-tax discount rate 
Taste, Texture & Health - DSM (TTH-DSM) 
Health, Nutrition & Care - DSM (HNC-DSM) 
Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) 

Organic sales growth (year 1–5) 
Taste, Texture & Health - DSM (TTH-DSM) 
Health, Nutrition & Care - DSM (HNC-DSM) 
Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) 

2023  

2022  

5  
10  

2.0%  

8.3%  
7.9%  
9.2%  

5  
10  

1.5% 

8.7% 
9.1% 
10.7% 

3%–8% 
6%–7% 
4%–8% 

5%–8% 
5%–8% 
4%–7% 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

For ANH and HNC-DSM, the growth assumptions are based on the growth of the global food and feed markets, and the 

vitamin transformation program; for TTH-DSM, on the growth assumptions of the global food and beverage markets. A 

sensitivity test was performed on the impairment tests of the CGUs and showed that the conclusions of these tests 

would not have been different if a reasonable possible adverse change in key parameters had been assumed. 

9 Property, plant and equipment 

Accounting policy 
Property, plant and equipment owned 
Items of Property, plant and equipment owned are measured at cost less depreciation calculated on a straight-line basis 

over their estimated useful lives and less any impairment losses. Borrowing costs during construction are capitalized 

when the underlying asset under construction meets the recognition criteria of a qualifying asset. 

Subsequent expenditure is capitalized only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item 

will flow to the Group. Expenditures relating to major scheduled turnarounds are capitalized and depreciated over the 

period up to the next turnaround. 

The estimated remaining lives of assets are reviewed every year, taking account of commercial and technological 

obsolescence as well as normal wear and tear. The initially assumed expected useful lives are in principle as follows: 
•

Buildings 10–50 years

•

•

Plant and equipment 4–15 years

Land is not depreciated

An item of property, plant and equipment owned is derecognized upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are 

expected to arise from the continued use or the sale of the asset. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the asset is 

recorded in profit or loss. 

Right-of-use assets (leases) 
DSM mainly leases offices, warehouses, vehicles, machinery, and other equipment. 

The Group recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. Right-of-use assets are 

measured at cost less any depreciation on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term, less any impairment losses, 

and adjusted for remeasurements of the lease liability. In line with the initially assumed expected useful life of the 

corresponding asset class within Property, plant and equipment, the minimum expected lease term for building leases is 

in principle 10 years. However, the contractual terms or specific circumstances could require applying the shorter non-

cancellable period in determining the expected lease term. For vehicle leases, the expected lease term is set equal to the 

contractual term (4–5 years). 

Impairment of Property, plant and equipment 
If there is an indication of impairment, the carrying amount of an item of Property, plant and equipment or the cash 

generating unit (CGU) to which it belongs is reviewed and the recoverable amount of the asset or the CGU is estimated. 

An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds its recoverable amount. An 

impairment loss is reversed when there has been a change in estimate that is relevant for the determination of the 

asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognized. 

Estimates and judgments 
Key estimates and judgments DSM makes in the accounting for items of property, plant and equipment relate to: 

•

The depreciation period of items of property, plant and equipment, which depend on their useful lives

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

59

Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

•

•

The determination of the lease term for lease contracts based on assessment of available renewal options.

Estimates are based on the underlying asset class, past practices and current business outlooks

The estimation and allocation of future cash flows, growth rates, discount rates and fair values minus costs of

disposal for the impairment testing of items of property, plant and equipment. These estimates are based on

historical and current market rates, experience, and current business outlooks

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

60

Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Composition of Property, plant and equipment 

Property, plant and equipment owned 
Right-of-use assets 

Total 

Property, plant and equipment owned 

2023 
3,266 
226 

3,492 

Land and 
buildings 

Plant and 
equipment 

Under 
construction 

Not used for 
operating 
activities 

Balance at 1 January 2022 

Cost 
Depreciation and impairments 
Carrying amount at 1 January 2022 
Changes in carrying amount: 

- Capital expenditure
- Put into operation
- Acquisitions
- Disposals and deconsolidations
- Depreciation
- Impairment losses
- Exchange differences
- Reclassification to held for sale
- Transfer to RoU assets
- Other changes

Balance at 31 December 2022 
Cost 

Depreciation and impairments 
Carrying amount at 31 December 2022 
. 

Changes in carrying amount: 

- Capital expenditure
- Put into operation
- Acquisitions
- Disposals and deconsolidations
- Depreciation
- Impairment losses
- Exchange differences
- Reclassification to held for sale
- Other reclassifications 

Balance at 31 December 2023 
Cost 
Depreciation and impairments 
Carrying amount at 31 December 2023 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

2,108 
946 
1,162 

7 
70 
2 
(55)
(71)
(2)
28 
(55)
2 
2 
(72)

5,707 
3,673 
2,034 

48 
303 
1 
(161)
(271)
(16)
42 
(243)
(2)
(1)
(300)

1,929 

4,625 

839 
1,090 

2,891 
1,734 

7 
38 
6 
(3)
(71)
(64)
4 
-  
13 
(70)

1,937 
917 
1,020 

42 
259 
7 
(2)
(269)
(187)
(11)
-  
72 
(89)

4,965 
3,320 
1,645 

564 
1 
563 

443 
(373)
-  
(22)
-  
-  
9 
(42)
(6)
-
9 

572 

-  
572 

394 
(297)
3 
-  
-  
8 
3
-  
(88)
23 

595 
-  
595  

8 
-
8 

-
-
-  
-
-  
-  
-
-
(2)
-  
(2)

6 

-  
6 

-
-
-
-  
-  
-
-
-  
-
-

6 
-  
6 

2022 
3,402 
174 

3,576 

Total 

8,387 
4,620
3,767 

498
-  
3 
(238) 
(342) 
(18) 
79
(340) 
(8)
1 
(365)

7,132 

3,730 
3,402 

443
-  
16
(5) 
(340) 
(243)
(4)
-  
(3) 
(136)

7,503 
4,237 
3,266 

61

Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

In 2023, impairment losses of €243 million (2022: €18 million) were recognized on Property, plant and equipment, which 

mainly relate to the impairment of the Jiangshan site (€119 million) and the impairment of the vitamin B6 production line 

on the Xinghuo site (€106 million). For acquisitions, see Note 3 Change in the scope of consolidation to the 
consolidated financial statements. 

Right-of-use assets 

Land and 
buildings 

Plant and 
equipment 

Total 

Balance at 1 January 2022 

136  

61  

197  

Changes in carrying amount: 

New leases / terminations 
Remeasurements 
Depreciation 
Derecognition 
Exchange rate differences 
Reclassification to held for sale 

Balance at 31 December 2022 

Cost 

Depreciation and impairments 
Carrying amount at 31 December 2022 
. 

Changes in carrying amount: 
Acquisition 
New leases / terminations 
Depreciation 
Exchange rate differences 
Impairments 

Balance at 31 December 2023 

Cost 

Depreciation and impairments 

Carrying amount 

8  
12  
(33) 
(2) 
4  
(6) 
(17) 

219  

100  
119  

1  
92  
(34) 
(4) 
-   
55  

289  

115  

174  

14  
-   
(17) 
-   
1  
(4) 
(6) 

92  

37  
55  

-   
13  
(17) 
1  
-   
(3) 

95  

43  

52  

22  
12  
(50) 
(2) 
5  
(10) 
(23) 

311  

137  
174  

1  
105  
(51) 
(3) 
-   
52  

384  

158  

226  

For the disclosures on the lease liabilities that correspond with the right-of-use assets, see Note 19 Borrowings to the 
consolidated financial statements. 

10 Associates and joint arrangements 

Accounting policy  
An associate is an entity over which DSM has significant influence but no control or joint control, usually evidenced by a 

shareholding that entitles DSM to between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. A joint venture is an entity over which DSM 

has joint control and is entitled to its share of the net assets and liabilities. 

Investments in associates and joint ventures are initially recognized at cost, including transaction costs. Subsequent to 

initial recognition, these investments are accounted for by the equity method, which involves recognition in the income 
DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

statement of DSM’s share of the associate’s or joint venture’s profit or loss for the year determined in accordance with 

the accounting policies of DSM. Any other results at DSM in relation to associated companies are recognized under Other 

results related to associates and joint ventures. DSM’s interest in an associate or joint venture is carried in the balance 

sheet at its share in the net assets of the associate or joint venture together with goodwill paid on acquisition, less any 

impairment loss. 

When DSM’s share in the loss of an associate or joint venture exceeds the carrying amount of that entity, the carrying 

amount is reduced to zero. No further losses are recognized unless DSM has responsibility for obligations relating to the 

entity. 

Associates and joint ventures 
The following table analyses, in aggregate, the carrying amount and share of profit of associates and joint ventures. 

Balance at 1 January 

- Share of the profit of associates and joint ventures 

- Other comprehensive income 
- Capital payments 
- Dividends received 
- Acquisitions 
- Disposals 
- Other 
Balance at 31 December 

Associates 

53  

(9) 

(2) 
5  
(1) 
-   
-   
-   
46  

2023 

Joint 
ventures 
8  

1  

-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
9  

2022 
Total  Total 

61  

(8) 

(2) 
5  
(1) 
-   
-   
-   
55  

64  

10  

-   
4  
(2) 
-   
(9) 
(6) 
61  

Joint operations 
The operations Veramaris®1 (2017) and Avansya (2019) are accounted for in accordance with IFRS 11 for joint operations. 

DSM therefore recognizes their amounts for the assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses in accordance with the 

contractual entitlement and obligations of DSM, see also Note 1 General Information to the consolidated financial 

statements. 

11 Other non-current assets 

Accounting policy 
Other non-current assets comprise loans to associates and joint ventures, other participating interests and other long-

term investments and receivables. 

Other participating interests comprise equity interests in entities in which DSM has no significant influence. DSM 

generally applies the irrevocable election upon initial recognition to present subsequent changes in the fair values of 

these interests in Other comprehensive income (OCI). Fair value changes in OCI will not be recycled through profit and 

loss upon disposal of the interest. All dividends received will be presented in profit or loss. 

DSM’s business model objective for loans granted is ‘held-to-collect contractual cash flows only’. Held to collect loans, 

other receivables and other deferred items, for which the contractual cash flows consist solely of principal and interest, 

are measured at amortized cost, using the effective interest method, which generally corresponds to the nominal value, 

1 This trademark is owned by Veramaris V.O.F. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

less an adjustment for expected credit loss. Upon disposal of these assets, the gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss. 

Other long-term investments and receivables, for which the contractual cash flows are not solely principal and interest, 

are recognized at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in profit or loss. 

Loans 
associates 
and joint 
ventures 

Other 
participating 
interests 

Other 
receivables 

Other 

Total 

Balance at 1 January 2022 

Changes: 

- Charged to the income statement 
- Disposals 
- Capital payments 
- Loans granted / prepayments 
- Repayments / (receipts) 
- Exchange differences 
- Transfers 
- Changes in fair value 
- Expected credit loss (ECL) adjustment 
and impairments 
- Reclassification from/to held for sale 
- Other changes 
Balance at 31 December 2022 
. 
Changes: 

- Charged to the income statement 
- Acquisitions 
- Disposals 
- Capital payments 
- Loans granted / prepayments 
- Repayments / (receipts) 
- Exchange differences 
- Transfer shares held in DSM-Firmenich 
AG from treasury shares 
- Other transfers 
- Changes in fair value through OCI 
- Other changes 
Balance at 31 December 2023 

1  

-   
-   
-   
1  
-   
-   
-   
-   

-   
-   
-   
2  

-   
-   
-   
-   
3  
-   
-   

-   
-   
-   
(1) 
4  

191  

-   
(24) 
28  
-   
-   
-   
-   
(66) 

-   
(4) 
-   
125  

-   
-   
(10) 
10  
-   
-   
-   

44  
-   
(37) 
7  
139  

31  

1  
-   
-   
127  
1  
(7) 
16  
-   

(11) 
-   
-   
158  

(1) 
-   
-   
-   
13  
-   
(1) 

-   
(24) 
-   
(82) 
63  

4  

(1) 
-   
-   
-   
3  
-   
-   
-   

-   
-   
4  
10  

-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
(4) 
(1) 

-   
4  
-   
(1) 
8  

227  

-   
(24) 
28  
128  
4  
(7) 
16  
(66) 

(11) 
(4) 
4  
295  

(1) 
-   
(10) 
10  
16  
(4) 
(2) 

44  
(20) 
(37) 
(77) 
214  

Other participating interests’ increased mainly due to the transfer of shares held in DSM-Firmenich AG (€44 million) from 

treasury shares. The transfer is the result of the exchange of shares of former DSM N.V. to DSM-Firmenich AG shares, prior 

to the merger with Firmenich. 

‘Changes in fair value through OCI’ consists mainly of the value decrease of our minority share in Amyris, Inc. (-€24 

million) and of the value adjustment of shares held in DSM-Firmenich AG from cost price to market value (-€8 million). 

These changes are posted to the Fair value reserve in Other comprehensive income. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

12 Inventories 

Accounting policy 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The cost of intermediates, work-in-progress and 

finished goods includes directly attributable costs and related production overhead expenses.  

Net realizable value is determined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated 

costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. Products whose manufacturing cost cannot be 

calculated because of joint cost components are stated at net realizable value after deduction of a margin for selling and 

distribution efforts. Allowances for slow-moving and obsolete inventories have been made.  

Cost is generally determined using the weighted average cost formula, unless the nature of the inventories warrants the 
use of the first in, first out (FIFO) method of valuation. 

Raw materials and consumables 
Intermediates and finished goods 

Adjustments to lower net realizable value 

Total 

Changes in the adjustment to net realizable value 

Balance at 1 January 

Additions charged to income statement 
Utilization / reversals 
Exchange differences 
Disposal 
Transfer 
Reclassification to held for sale 

Balance at 31 December 

2023  
676  
1,716  

2,392  
(74) 

2,318  

2023  

(66) 

(29) 
21  
1  
28  
(2) 
(27) 

(74) 

2022  
596  
1,809  

2,405  
(66) 

2,339  

2022  

(82) 

(31) 
20  
(2) 
15  
(10) 
24  

(66) 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

13 Current receivables 

Accounting policy 
Current receivables, for which the contractual cash flows are solely principal and interest, are initially recognized at fair 

value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, they are measured at amortized 

cost, which generally corresponds to their nominal, non-discounted value, less an adjustment for expected credit loss. 

Loss allowances for trade receivables are always measured at lifetime expected credit loss – see also Note 23 Financial 
Instruments and risks to the consolidated financial statements.  

2023  

2022  

Trade receivables 
Trade accounts receivable 
Other trade receivables 
Other receivables from related parties 
Deferred items 
Receivables from associates 

Expected credit loss 

Total Trade receivables 

Income tax receivable 

Other current receivables 
Other taxes and social security contributions 
Related party cash pool 
Employee-related receivables 
Acquisition-/disposal-related receivables 
Interest 
Loans 
Other receivables 
Deferred items 

Total Other current receivables 

Total current receivables 

1,183  
231  
101  
38  
-   

1,553  

(18) 

1,535  

79  

17  
178  
7  
5  
-   
69  
9  
1  

286  

1,900  

1,306  
182  
-   
31  
1  

1,520  

(12) 

1,508  

36  

23  
-   
3  
7  
1  
24  
8  
12  

78  

1,622  

Information about the expected credit loss that relates to trade accounts receivable resulting in a loss allowance is 

included under Credit risk in Note 23 Financial instruments and risks to the consolidated financial statements. 

Deferred items comprised €39 million (2022: €43 million) in prepaid expenses that include advance payments for any 

expenditure that would have otherwise been made during the next 12 months. 

Related party cash pool relates to the receivables from DSM Finance B.V., the dsm-firmenich finance entity, with entities 

of the dsm-firmenich Group. See Note 26 Notes to the cash flow statements to the consolidated financial statements 

for further info. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

14 Current investments 

Accounting policy 
Current investments are initially recognized at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to 

initial recognition, they are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.  

Deposits with banks with a maturity between three and 12 months are classified as current investments. 

Fixed term deposits 

Total 

2023  

101  

101  

2022  

125  

125  

All fixed-term deposits have been placed with institutions with a high credit rating in line with our counterparty policy. 

The purpose of the deposits is either to meet short-term cash commitments, or to manage liquidity to such extent that 

yields are optimized while allowing DSM sufficient freedom in fulfilling its (strategic) goals.  

For more information regarding the counterparty policy, see Note 23 Financial instruments and risks to the 

consolidated financial statements. 

15 Cash and cash equivalents 

Accounting policy 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at banks and in hand and deposits held at call with banks with a maturity of 

less than three months at inception. 

Deposits will be classified as ‘cash equivalent’ if held at banks with a maturity of less than three months at inception. 

Deposits will be classified as ‘current investments’ if the maturity is more than three months but less than or equal to 

one year. Bank overdrafts are included in current liabilities. Included in cash and cash equivalents are investments in 

money-market funds that do not meet the SPPI (Solely Payments of Principal & Interest) criterion but are held to meet 

short-term cash demand. Money-market fund investments have been placed with institutions with a high credit rating in 

line with our counterparty policy. 

Cash and cash equivalents are measured at amortized cost, or at fair value through profit and loss. 

Composition of cash and cash equivalents 

Deposits 
Money-market funds 
Cash at bank and in hand 
Payments in transit 

Total 

2023  

284  
931  
964  
2  

2,181  

2022  

23  
1,493  
1,221  
18  

2,755  

The purpose of the deposits and money-market funds is either to meet short-term cash commitments, or to manage 

liquidity to such an extent that yields are optimized, while allowing DSM sufficient freedom in fulfilling its (strategic) goals. 

Cash at year-end 2023 was not being used as collateral and therefore was not restricted (same as in 2022). 

In a few countries, DSM faces cross-border foreign exchange controls and/or other legal restrictions that limit its ability to 

make these balances available at short notice for general use by the Group. The amount of cash held in these countries 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

67  

 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

was €64 million at year-end 2023 (2022: €105 million). The cash will generally be invested or held in the relevant country 

and, given the other liquidity resources available to the Group, does not significantly affect the ability of the Group to 

meet its obligations. 

For more information regarding the counterparty policy, see Note 23 Financial instruments and risks to the 

consolidated financial statements. 

16 Equity 

Accounting policy 
DSM classifies ordinary shares and other financial instruments, for which settlement of the contractual obligations is at 

the sole discretion of DSM, as equity.  

The price paid for repurchased DSM shares (treasury shares) is deducted from DSM shareholders’ equity until the shares 

are reissued. Treasury shares are presented in the treasury share reserve. When treasury shares are sold or reissued, the 

amount received is recognized as an increase in equity.  

Dividend to be distributed to holders of ordinary shares is recognized as a liability when the Annual General Meeting of 

Shareholders approves the profit appropriation. 

Movements in equity 

Balance at 1 January 

Net profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income 
Options / share units granted 
Dividend 
Proceeds from reissue of ordinary shares 
Acquisition of NCI without a change in control 
Acquisition (divestment) of subsidiary with NCI 
Repurchase of shares 
Transfer 
Other changes 

2023  

10,845  

2,326  
(140) 
23  
(3,935) 
24  
-   
(4) 
(256) 
44  
(4) 

2022  

9,397  

1,715  
227  
34  
(459) 
141  
-   
(4) 
(210) 
-   
4  

Balance at 31 December 

8,923  

10,845  

Share capital 
On 31 December 2023, the capital amounted to €261 million, consisting of 174 million ordinary shares, distributed over 

167.3 million shares held by its parent DSM-Firmenich AG, and 6.7 million by the non-tendered shareholders. All shares 

have a nominal value of €1.50 each. The outstanding shares provide an entitlement of one vote per share at the General 

Meeting of Shareholders. All rights attached to the company’s shares held by the Group (treasury shares) are suspended 

until those shares are reissued. 

The changes in the number of issued and outstanding shares in 2022 and 2023 are shown in the following table. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

68  

 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Development issued and outstanding shares of DSM B.V. (Koninklijke DSM N.V. until 31 May 2023) 

Balance at 1 January 2022 

Reissue of shares in connection with share-based payments 
Repurchase of shares 
Dividend in the form of ordinary shares 
Balance at 31 December 2022 

Number of treasury shares at 31 December 2022 
Number of shares outstanding at 31 December 2022 
. 

Issued 
shares 
Ordinary 
174,786,029  

Issued 
shares 
Cumprefs A 
44,040,000  

174,786,029  

44,040,000  

(1,710,632) 
173,075,397  

44,040,000  

Balance at 1 January 2023 

174,786,029  

44,040,000  

Reissue of shares in connection with share-based payments 
Treasury shares DSM N.V. swapped to DSM-Firmenich AG shares 
Cancellation of shares 
Balance at 31 December 2023 

-  
(767,995) 
174,018,034  

(44,040,000) 
-  

Treasury 
shares 
Ordinary 
1,817,299  

(617,967) 
1,330,000  
(818,700) 
1,710,632  

1,710,632  

(280,021) 
(662,616) 
(767,995) 
-  

On 28 April 2023, 44.0 million outstanding Cumulative preference shares A Koninklijke DSM N.V. were repurchased for the 

amount of €256 million. On 31 May 2023, all Cumulative preference shares A and B were canceled. 

Share premium 
The share premium decreased by €2 million due to the cancellation of 0.8 million ordinary shares. 

Treasury shares 
In 2023, the Group did not repurchase own shares to fulfil its obligations under the share-based compensation plans. 

During the merger process, the DSM N.V. treasury shares were swapped into shares of DSM-Firmenich AG, the parent of 

the Group. Hence, these shares are no longer considered treasury shares for DSM. The DSM-Firmenich AG shares held by 

DSM are recognized in Other participating interests (OPI). 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Other reserves in Shareholders equity 

Translation 
reserve 

Hedging 
reserve 

Balance at 1 January 2022 

177  

(77) 

Reserve for 
share-based 
compensation 
39  

Fair value 
reserve 

Total 

17  

156  

Changes: 

Fair-value changes of derivatives 
Release to income statement 
Fair-value changes of other financial assets 
Exchange differences 
Options and performance shares granted 
Options and performance shares exercised/canceled   
Transfer to retained earnings 
Income tax 
Total changes 
Balance at 31 December 2022 
. 

Changes: 

Fair-value changes of derivatives 
Release to income statement 
Fair-value changes of other financial assets 
Exchange differences 
Options and performance shares granted 
Options and performance shares exercised/canceled   
Transfer to retained earnings 
Income tax 
Total changes 
Balance at 31 December 2023 

-   
(16) 
-   
267  
-   
-   
-   
(4) 
247  
424  

-   
-   
-   
(96) 
-   
-   
-   
(1) 
(97) 
327  

(6) 
53  
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
(3) 
44  
(33) 

27  
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
(1) 
26  
(7) 

-   
-   
-   
-   
34  
(29) 
-   
-   
5  
44  

-   
-   
-   
-   
23  
(23) 
-   
-   
-   
44  

-   
-   
(61) 
-   
-   
-   
(28) 
-   
(89) 
(72) 

-   
-   
(37) 
-   
-   
-   
(5) 
-   
(42) 
(114) 

(6) 
37  
(61) 
267  
34  
(29) 
(28) 
(7) 
207  
363  

27  
-   
(37) 
(96) 
23  
(23) 
(5) 
(2) 
(113) 
250  

For information on the reserves, see Note 6 Shareholders’ equity to the parent company financial statements. 

Dividend 
Prior to the merger, dividend was paid to the holders of cumulative preference shares A and of non-tendered ordinary 

shares of Koninklijke DSM N.V.  

Dividend distribution in the reporting year 

Shareholders DSM B.V. (formerly Koninklijke DSM N.V.) 

Per cumulative preference share A: €0.14 (2022: €0.13) 

Per ordinary share: 
Interim dividend ordinary shares: €0 (2022: 0.93) 
Final dividend listed ordinary shares: €1.66 (2022: €1.70) 
Final dividend ordinary shares held by DSM-Firmenich AG: €1.66 
Special dividend listed ordinary shares: €20.92 
Special dividend ordinary shares held by DSM-Firmenich AG: €20.92 

Total 

2023  

2022  

6  

-  
11  
278  
140  
3,500  

3,935  

6  

161  
292  
-  
-  
-  

459  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

70 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

17 Non-controlling interests 

Accounting policy 
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries are measured at the proportionate share of the subsidiaries’ identifiable net 

assets. 

% of non-controlling interest 

Balance at 1 January 

Changes: 

- Share of profit/charged to income statement 
- Acquisitions 
- Divestments 
- Transfers 
- Capital payments 
- Exchange differences 
Total changes 
Balance at 31 December 

Andre 
Pectin 
25% 

46  

5  
-   
-   
-   
-   
(3) 
2  
48  

2023 
Yimante 

Other 

Total 

2022  

25% 

47  

8  
-   
-   
9  
-   
(3) 
14  
61  

9  

102  

79  

(5) 
-   
(4) 
-   
-   
-   
(9) 
-   

8  
-   
(4) 
9  
-   
(6) 
7  
109  

15  
-   
(4) 
11  
4  
(3) 
23  
102  

The shareholding by DSM in Yimante Health Ingredients (Jingzhou) Company Ltd. is 75%. The profit will be distributed in a 

50:50 proportion. The impact of this arrangement has led to a transfer of €9 million (2022: €11 million) within equity from 

shareholders’ equity to non-controlling interest. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

71 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Not fully-owned subsidiaries on a 100% basis 

Andre Pectin 

Yimante 

Other 

Total   

2023 

2022 

Assets 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and 
equipment 
Other non-current assets 
Inventories 
Receivables 
Current investments 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Total assets 
. 
Liabilities 
Provisions (non-current) 
Borrowings (non-current) 
Other non-current 
liabilities 
Borrowings and derivatives 
(current) 
Other current liabilities 
Total liabilities 
Net assets (100% basis) 
Net sales 
Net profit for the year 
Cash provided by / (used 
in) operating activities 

42  

38  
2  
42  
35  
51  
1  
211  

10  
-   

-   

-   
8  
18  
193  
95  
21  

15  

20  

127  
37  
18  
47  
-   
7  
256  

1  
-   

1  

66  
21  
89  
167  
219  
35  

55  

12  

50  
37  
1  
14  
-   
4  
118  

-   
74  

1  

-   
40  
115  
3  
25  
(23) 

(7) 

74  

215  
76  
61  
96  
51  
12  
585  

11  
74  

2  

66  
69  
222  
363  
339  
33  

63  

92  

310  
91  
68  
109  
44  
41  
755  

14  
167  

2  

50  
112  
345  
410  
159  
56  

91  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

72 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

18 Provisions 

Accounting policy 
Provisions are recognized when there is a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, when it is 

probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and when a reliable estimate of the amount 

can be made. The underlying assumptions in the recognition of provisions are based on historical experience and other 

factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. 

In cases where the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are measured at the present value of the 

expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation. Where discounting is used, the increase in the provision 

due to the passage of time is recognized as financial expense. 

Differences between the final obligations and the initial estimates are recognized in the consolidated income statement 

in the period in which such determination is made. 

Estimates and judgments 
Key estimates made in the accounting for provisions relate to the estimates made in determining the likelihood and 

timing of potential cash flows included in their measurement.  

Balance at 1 January 2022 

Of which current 

Changes: 

- Additions 
- Releases 
- Uses 
- Other change 
Total changes 
Balance at 31 December 2022 

Of which current 
. 

Changes: 
- Additions 
- Releases 
- Uses 
- Other change 
Total changes 
Balance at 31 December 2023 

Of which current 

Restructuring 
costs and 
termination 
benefits 
53  

49  

44  
(15) 
(41) 
-   
(12) 
41  

39  

48  
(9) 
(41) 
-   
(2) 
39  

25  

Environmental 
costs 

Other 
provisions 

Total 

37  

4  

-   
(5) 
(3) 
-   
(8) 
29  

2  

4  
-   
(3) 
3  
4  
33  

3  

34  

10  

8  
(8) 
(7) 
(2) 
(9) 
25  

4  

24  
-   
(7) 
(3) 
14  
39  

6  

124  

63  

52  
(28) 
(51) 
(2) 
(29) 
95  

45  

76  
(9) 
(51) 
-   
16  
111  

34  

In cases where the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are measured at the present value of the 

expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation. The rate used for discounting decreased from 4.2% to 

3.5%. Depending on the risk profile, the discount rates used at the end of 2023 vary from 3.5% to 5.7% (2022: 4.2% to 

5.8%). The balance of provisions measured at present value increased by less than €2 million in 2023 in view of the 

passage of time (similar to 2022).  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

73 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

The provisions for restructuring costs and termination benefits mainly relate to the costs of redundancy schemes 

connected to the dismissal of employees and costs of termination of contracts. These provisions generally have a term 

of one to three years. 

The restructuring program following up on the change in strategy, aiming to concentrate on Health, Nutrition and 

Bioscience, which was launched at the end of 2021, was finalized in 2023, with €8 million being used during the year. 

Furthermore, a restructuring program following up on (the preparation of) the merger of DSM with Firmenich, which was 

launched in 2022, was also continued. An additional €8 million was recognized for this program, and €9 million was used 

during the year. A restructuring provision of €26 million was created, following the announced restructuring of the vitamin 

asset footprint, of which €12 million had been used by the end of 2023. The other additions to the provisions for 

restructuring costs and termination benefits in 2023 relate mainly to the various smaller restructuring projects (same as 

in 2022). 

The provisions for environmental costs relate to soil clean-up obligations, among other things. These provisions have an 

average life of around 30 years. 

Several items have been combined under Other provisions, for example, demolition costs, onerous contracts and legal 

claims. These provisions have an average life of one to 10 years. 

19 Borrowings 

Accounting policy 
Borrowings 
Borrowings, including bonds, are not held for trading and are initially recognized at fair value of the proceeds received, net 

of transaction costs. Subsequently, borrowings are stated at amortized cost using the effective interest method with any 

discount or premium on the borrowing amortized over the applicable term. The corresponding interest expenses are 

recorded as financial expense in profit or loss. 

Lease liabilities 
The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the 

commencement date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, 

the Group’s incremental borrowing rate. Generally, DSM uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate. In 

determining the incremental borrowing rate, DSM applies the practical expedient to use a single discount rate to 

portfolios of leases with reasonably similar characteristics, as reflected in the contractual currency and expected lease 

term of these contracts.  

In general, DSM splits the contractual consideration into a lease and a non-lease component based on their relative 

stand-alone prices. For vehicle leases, however, DSM applies the practical expedient not to make this split but rather 

accounts for the fixed consideration as a single lease component. 

Over time, the lease liability is increased by the interest expense related to the unwinding of the lease liability and 

decreased by the lease payments made. The lease liability is remeasured when DSM reassesses or modifies the 

contractual terms and conditions, including indexation. 

Payments related to short-term leases (leases with a term shorter than 12 months) are recognized on a straight-line basis 
in profit or loss. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

74 

 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Borrowings 

Bonds 
Private loans 
Lease liabilities 
Credit institutions 
Total 

2023 

Total 

2,743  
108  
240  
27  
3,118  

Of which 
current 
500  
56  
48  
27  
631  

2022 

Total 

2,741  
116  
179  
28  
3,064  

Of which 
current 
-   
14  
44  
28  
86  

In agreements governing loans with a residual amount at year-end 2023 of €2,743 million (31 December 2022: €2,741 

million), negative pledge clauses have been included that restrict the provision of security. 

At 31 December 2023, there was €617 million in borrowings outstanding with a remaining term of more than 5 years (at 31 

December 2022, €1,044 million).  

The schedule of repayment of borrowings is as follows.  

Borrowings by maturity 

2023 
2024 
2025 
2026 
2027 and 2028 
After 2028 

Total 

A breakdown by currency is given in the following table. 

Borrowings by currency 

EUR 
CNY 
USD 
CHF 
BRL 
Other 

Total 

2023  
-   
631  
538  
788  
544  
617  

3,118  

2023  

2,843  
50  
78  
99  
16  
32  

3,118  

2022  
86  
558  
579  
775  
528  
538  

3,064  

2022  

2,833  
80  
84  
20  
19  
28  

3,064  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

75 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

On balance, total borrowings increased by €54 million due to the following changes. 

Movements of borrowings 

Balance at 1 January 
Loans taken up 
Repayments 
Unwinding (interest) 
Acquisitions / consolidation changes 
Transfers 
Disposals 
Reclassification to held for sale 
Changes in debt to credit institutions 
New lease arrangements (incl. remeasurements) 
Payment of lease liabilities 
Exchange differences 

Balance at 31 December 

A breakdown of bonds is given below. 

2023  

3,064  
-   
(33) 
6  
-   
28  
-   
-   
-   
102  
(49) 
-   

3,118  

Bonds 

EUR loan 
EUR loan 
EUR loan 
EUR loan 
EUR loan 

Total 

2.38% 
1.00% 
0.75% 
0.25% 
0.63% 

2014—2024 
2015—2025 
2016—2026 
2020—2028 
2020—2032 

Nominal amount 

500 
500 
750 
500 
500 

2,750  

2023  

500  
500  
749  
498  
496  

2,743  

2022  

3,098  
51  
(29) 
9  
9  
-  
(28) 
(8) 
(21) 
34  
(57) 
6  

3,064  

2022  

500  
499  
749  
496  
498  

2,741  

The bonds issued by DSM B.V. have a fixed interest rate and are listed on the AEX. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The 2.375% EUR bond 2014–2024 of €500 million was pre-hedged by means of forward starting swaps, resulting 

in an effective interest rate for this bond of 3.97%, including the settlement of the pre-hedge 

The 1% EUR bond 2015–2025 of €500 million was pre-hedged by means of forward starting swaps, resulting in 

an effective interest rate for this bond at 3.65%, including the settlement of the pre-hedge 

The 0.75% EUR bond 2016–2026 of €750 million was pre-hedged by means of a collar resulting in an effective 

interest rate for this bond of 1.08%, including the settlement of the pre-hedge 

The 0.25% EUR bond 2020–2028 of €500 million has an effective interest rate of 0.29% 

The 0.625% EUR bond 2020–2032 of €500 million has an effective interest rate of 0.70% 

A breakdown of private loans is given below. 

Private loans 

 CNY loan  
 Other loans  

Total 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

2023  

2022  

39  
69  

108  

63  
53  

116  

76 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

A breakdown of the lease liabilities is given below. 

Lease liabilities by maturity 

2023 
2024 
2025 
2026 
2027 
2028 

 After 2028  
 Total undiscounted lease liabilities at 31 December  

 Lease liabilities included in the Balance Sheet at 31 December    

 Current  
 Non-current  

2023  

2022  

-   
49  
37  
29  
22  
17  
140  
294  

240  

48  
192  

49  
40  
28  
20  
15  
10  
50  
212  

179  

44  
135  

In addition to the contractual lease commitments, DSM has identified explicit renewal options available to DSM, which are 

currently not reasonably certain to be exercised and are therefore not included in the measurement of the lease. The 

associated future lease payments which are uncommitted and optional for DSM, are estimated around €181 million 

(undiscounted; 2022: €86 million). The interest expense on the lease liabilities was €5 million (2022: €6 million) and the 

total repayments of the lease liabilities amounted to €52 million in 2023 (2022: €57 million). These cash flows are 

reported as financing cash flows. DSM’s policy regarding financial risk management is described in Note 23 Financial 

instruments and risks to the consolidated financial statements. 

20 Other non-current liabilities 

Accounting policy 
Other liabilities are measured at amortized cost, which generally corresponds to the nominal value, or at fair value 

through profit and loss. The latter is mainly applied to acquisition-related liabilities. 

Government grants are recognized at their fair value if there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and 

all related conditions will be complied with. Cost grants, which are grants that compensate DSM for expenses incurred, 

are recognized as income over the periods necessary to match the grant on a systematic basis to the cost that it is 

intended to compensate. If the grant is an investment grant, its fair value is initially recognized as deferred income in 

Other non-current liabilities and then released to profit or loss over the expected useful life of the relevant asset. 

Investment grants / customer funding 
Deferred items 
Acquisition-/divestment-related liabilities 
Other 

Total 

2023  
54  
30  
45  
1  

130  

2022  
55  
25  
123  
2  

205  

The change in the Other non-current liabilities includes the settlement of an earn-out liability relating to a previous 

acquisition. See also Note 3 Change in the scope of the consolidation to the consolidated financial statements. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

77 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

21 Current liabilities 

Accounting policy 
Other liabilities are measured at amortized cost, which generally corresponds to the nominal value, or at fair value 

through profit and loss. The latter is mainly applied to acquisition-related liabilities. 

Trade payables 
Received in advance 
Trade accounts payable 
Notes and cheques due 

Total Trade payables 

Income tax payable 

Other current liabilities 
Other taxes and social security contributions 
Interest 
Pensions 
Investment creditors 
Employee-related liabilities 
Payables associates and joint ventures relating to cash facility 
Related party cash pool 
Acquisition-/divestment-related liabilities 
Other 

Total Other current liabilities 

Total current liabilities 

2023  

2022  

8  
1,356  
-   

1,364  

133  

56  
20  
1  
117  
218  
3  
691  
73  
-   

1,179  

2,676  

4  
1,410  
1  

1,415  

64  

46  
23  
2  
118  
246  
2  
-  
53  
-  

490  

1,969  

Included in trade accounts payable are amounts due to suppliers which could be part of a supply chain finance 

arrangement between the supplier and a third-party bank. DSM suppliers have the option to enter into such supply chain 

finance arrangements with third party banks, which provides them with the option of earlier payment based on terms 

linked to DSM’s investment grade credit rating. If a supplier chooses to participate in such an arrangement, this does not 

impact the classification of the trade payable for DSM, as these supply chain finance arrangements are concluded 

between the banks and the suppliers and do not alter the payment conditions between the supplier and DSM. Therefore, 
these amounts remain classified as trade payables.  

Related party cash pool relates to the payable of DSM Finance B.V., the DSM finance entity within the dsm-firmenich 

group. See Note 26 Notes to the cash flow statements to the consolidated financial statements for further info. 

22 Contingent liabilities and other financial obligations 
The contingent liabilities and other financial obligations in the following table are not recognized in the balance sheet. 

Guarantee obligations on behalf of associates and third parties 
Outstanding orders for projects under construction 
Other 

Total 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

2023  

2022  

170  
-  
76  

246  

178  
6  
104  

288  

78 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Guarantee obligations are principally related to VAT and duties on the one hand and to financing obligations of 

associated companies or related third parties on the other. Guarantee obligations will only lead to a cash outflow when 

called upon. At year-end, no obligations had been called upon. Most of the outstanding orders for projects under 

construction will be completed in 2024. Other relates mainly to contingent liabilities in contracts for catalysts. 

Litigation 
DSM has a process in place to monitor legal claims periodically and systematically. DSM is involved in several legal 

proceedings, most of which are related to the ordinary course of business. DSM does not expect these proceedings to 

result in liabilities that have a material effect on the company's financial position. In cases where it is probable that the 

outcome of the proceedings will be unfavorable, and the financial outcome can be measured reliably, a provision has 

been recognized in the financial statements and disclosed in Note 18 Provisions to the consolidated financial 

statements. 

In 2015, an award was issued against DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals India Private Ltd. (DSP India) in a protracted 

arbitration case in India going back to 2004 involving a joint venture that DSP India had formed with Hindustan 

Antibiotics Ltd., which suspended its operations in 2003. DSP India (renamed to Centrient Pharmaceuticals after 

divestment by former DSM in 2018) is covered by an indemnity from DSM B.V. for this case. In 2015, DSP India made an 

application with the Civil Court in Pune (India) to set aside the arbitral award. The award amounts to INR 127.5 crore (€14 

million as at year-end 2023) excluding interest of 12% per year as of 2004. In 2019, former DSM provided the Bombay 

High Court a bank guarantee of INR 150 crore (€16 million as at year-end 2023). At the end of 2023, the application 

proceedings were still pending. DSM views this case as unfounded and is of the opinion that the likelihood of the award 

being ultimately set aside is high. Therefore, no liability is recognized in respect of this case. 

In 2019, Brazilian tax authorities disagreed with certain tax treatment as applied by the company in 2014–2016, which 

would have an effect on such prior year income tax returns of around BRL 100 million (€19 million as at year-end 2023), 

including penalties and interest. DSM views this case as unfounded and considers that the possibility of winning this case 

is high, as confirmed by external legal counsel. Therefore, no liability relating to this case is recognized. During 2023 no 
relevant developments took place that alter this view. 

23 Financial instruments and risks 

Policies on financial risks 
As an international company, DSM is exposed to financial risks in the normal course of business. A major objective of 

Group Treasury is to minimize the impact of market, liquidity and credit risk on the value of the company and its 

profitability. In order to achieve this, a systematic financial and risk management system has been established. 

Furthermore an internal control framework is in place, and the controls are monitored and tested periodically. 

The derivatives contracts used by DSM are entered into exclusively in connection with the corresponding underlying 

transaction (hedged item) relating to normal operating business. The instruments used are customary products, such as 

currency swaps, cross-currency interest rate swaps, collars, forward exchange contracts and interest rate swaps. 

An important element of DSM’s capital management is the allocation of cash flow. DSM primarily allocates cash flow to 

investments aimed at strengthening its business positions and securing the payment of dividends to its shareholders. 

The remaining cash flow is further used for acquisitions and partnerships that strengthen DSM’s competences and 

market positions. The net debt to equity ratio (gearing) is 8.1 (2022: 0.8), see also Note 25 Net debt to the consolidated 

financial statements. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

79 

 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Liquidity risk 
Liquidity risk is the financial risk that an entity does not have and/or cannot access enough liquid cash and/or assets to 

meet its obligations. This can happen if the entity’s credit rating falls, or when it experiences sudden unexpected cash 

outflows or an unexpected drop in cash inflows, or some other event that causes counterparties to avoid trading with or 

lending to the entity. Additionally, an entity can be indirectly exposed to market liquidity risk if the financial markets on 

which it depends are subject to loss of liquidity. 

The primary objective of liquidity management is to optimize the corporate cash position, among other things, by 

securing availability of sufficient liquidity for execution of payments by DSM entities, at the right time and in the right 

place. 

At 31 December 2023, DSM had cash and cash equivalents of €2,181 million (2022: €2,755 million). 

At the end of 2023, DSM B.V has a committed credit facility amounting to €1.0 billion, maturing on 28 May 2025. The 

agreement for the committed credit facility has neither financial covenants nor material adverse changes clauses. The 

committed credit facility links the interest rate to DSM’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction. At year-end 2023, no 

loans had been taken up under the committed credit facilities. 

The bridge financing facility contracted in 2022 by DSM was cancelled in 2023 and there were no drawings under the 

facility.     

In 2023, a bridge financing facility amounting to €1.0 billion was contracted by DSM B.V., maturing on 13 December 2025 

and there is no drawing under the facility at year-end.  

Furthermore, DSM B.V. has a commercial paper program amounting to €2.0 billion (2022: €2.0 billion). The company will 

use the commercial paper program to a total of not more than €1.0 billion (2022: €1.0 billion). At 31 December 2023, no 

commercial paper had been issued (same as 2022). 

DSM has no derivative contracts to manage currency risk or interest rate risk outstanding under which margin calls by the 

counterparty would be permitted. 

Floating-rate and fixed-rate borrowings and monetary liabilities analyzed by maturity are summarized in the following 

table. Borrowings excluding credit institutions are shown after taking into account related interest rate derivatives in 

designated hedging relationships. DSM manages financial liabilities and related derivative contracts on the basis of the 

remaining contractual maturities of these instruments. The remaining maturities presented in the following table provide 

an overview of the timing of the cash flows related to these instruments. Financial assets are not linked to financial 

liabilities in order to meet cash outflows on these liabilities. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

80 

 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Carrying 
amount 

Within 1 
year 

1 to 2 years  2 to 3 years  3 to 4 years  4 to 5 years 

Financial liabilities 

2022 

Borrowings 

Monetary liabilities 
Guarantees 
Derivatives 
Interest payments 
Cash at redemption¹ 

Total 
. 

2023 

Borrowings 

Monetary liabilities 
Guarantees 
Derivatives 
Interest payments 
Cash at redemption¹ 

3,064  

2,110  
178  
27  
100  
9  

5,488  

3,118  

2,739  
170  
30  
78  
7  

86  

1,969  
14  
23  
27  
2  

2,121  

631  

2,682  
18  
27  
29  
2  

558  

579  

775  

45  
28  
3  
27  
2  

59  
-   
1  
15  
1  

15  
-   
-   
10  
1  

663  

655  

801  

538  

788  

35  
1  
-   
18  
1  

6  
4  
3  
10  
1  

17  

3  
-   
-   
4  
1  

25  

After 5 
years 

1,044  

12  
136  
-   
17  
2  

1,211  

617  

10  
147  
-   
13  
1  

22  

10  
-   
-   
4  
1  

37  

527  

3  
-   
-   
4  
1  

Total 
3,389  
1  Difference between nominal redemption and amortized costs. 

6,142  

593  

812  

535  

788  

The following table reflects the exposure of the derivatives to liquidity risk. It contains the cash flows from derivatives 

with positive fair values and from derivatives with negative fair values so as to provide a complete overview of the 

derivative-related cash flows. The amounts are gross and undiscounted. 

Derivatives cash flow 

2022 

Inflow 
Outflow 
2023 

Inflow 
Outflow 

2023  

2024  

2025  

2026  

2027  

Total  

2,287  
(2,270) 

52  
(52) 

2,407  
(2,396) 

33  
(34) 

23  
(23) 

29  
(33) 

13  
(16) 

4  
(4) 

5  
(4) 

2,405  
(2,393) 

2,448  
(2,439) 

Market risk 
Market risk can be subdivided into interest rate risk, currency risk and price risk. 

Interest rate risk 
Interest rate risk is the risk that adverse movements of interest rates lead to high costs on interest-bearing debt or 

assets, which negatively impact the company’s capability to honor its commitments. The aim is to minimize the interest 

rate risks associated with the financing of the company and thus at the same time optimizing the net interest costs. This 

translates into a certain desired profile of fixed-interest and floating-interest positions, including cash and cash 

equivalents, with the floating-interest position not exceeding 60% of net debt. 

There were no outstanding fixed-floating interest rate swaps (end of 2022 none). 

The following analysis of the sensitivity of borrowings, assets and related derivatives to interest rate movements assumes 

an instantaneous 1% change in interest rates for all maturities from their level on 31 December 2023, with all other 

variables held constant. A 1% reduction in interest rates would result in a €21 million pre-tax loss in the income statement 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

and equity on the basis of the composition of financial instruments on 31 December 2023, as floating-rate borrowings are 

more than compensated for by floating-rate assets (mainly cash). The opposite applies in the case of a 1% increase in 

interest rates. The sensitivity of financial instruments with a floating interest rate on 31 December 2023 to changes in 

interest rates is set out in the following table. 

For more information regarding fixed or floating interest, see Note 19 Borrowings to the consolidated financial 

statements. 

Sensitivity to change in interest rate 

Loans to associates and joint 
ventures 
Current investments 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Short-term borrowings 
Long-term borrowings 

2023 

 Sensitivity 

Carrying 
amount 

2022 

 Sensitivity 

Carrying 
amount 

4  
101  
2,181  
(631) 
(2,487) 

+1% 

-   
1  
22  
(1) 
(1) 

(1%) 

-   
(1) 
(22) 
1  
1  

2  
125  
2,755  
(86) 
(2,978) 

+1% 

-   
1  
28  
-   
(1) 

(1%) 

-   
(1) 
(28) 
-   
1  

Currency risk 
Currency risk is the risk that adverse movements of foreign currencies negatively impact the results of operations and 

the financial condition of the company, for example due to losses on assets or liabilities in foreign currencies. The aim is 

to hedge 100% of the currency risks resulting from sales and purchases at the moment of recognition of the receivables 

and payables. This is realized by transferring at spot rates the respective exposures to the Group, which are, 

consequently (on a netted basis), hedged externally.  

In addition, operating companies may — under strict conditions — opt for hedging currency risks from firm commitments 

and forecast transactions. The currencies giving rise to these risks are primarily USD, CHF and JPY. The risks arising from 

currency exposures are regularly reviewed and hedged when appropriate. DSM uses currency forward contracts, spot 

contracts, and average-rate currency forwards and options to hedge the exposure to fluctuations in foreign exchange 

rates. At year-end, these instruments had remaining maturities of less than one year. For the hedging of currency risks 

from firm commitments and forecast transaction cash flows, hedge accounting is applied. Hedge accounting is not 

applied for hedges of recognized trade receivables and trade payables hedged with short-term derivatives. 

To hedge intercompany loans, receivables and payables denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of 

the subsidiaries, DSM uses currency swaps or forward contracts. 

The following analysis of the sensitivity of net borrowings and derivative financial instruments to currency movements 

against the euro assumes a 10% change in all foreign currency rates against the euro from their level on 31 December 

2023, with all other variables held constant. A +10% change indicates a strengthening of the foreign currencies against the 

euro. A -10% change represents a weakening of the foreign currencies against the euro. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

82 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Sensitivity to change in exchange rate 

2023 

Sensitivity 

Carrying 
amount 

2022 

Sensitivity 

Carrying 
amount 

+10% 

(10%) 

+10% 

(10%) 

Loans to associates and joint 
ventures 
Current investments 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Short-term borrowings 
(excluding lease liabilities) 
Long-term borrowings 
(excluding lease liabilities) 
Lease liabilities 
Currency forward contracts 
Average-rate forwards used for 
economic hedging¹ 
Other derivatives 
1  Fair-value change reported in Hedging reserve. 

4  
101  
2,181  

(583) 

(2,295) 
(240) 
(19) 

25  
44  

-   
7  
21  

(9) 

(1) 
(19) 
(36) 

(5) 
(6) 

-   
(7) 
(21) 

9  

1  
19  
36  

5  
6  

2  
125  
2,755  

(42) 

(2,843) 
(179) 
1  

18  
78  

-   
5  
29  

(4) 

(6) 
(14) 
14  

(19) 
1  

-   
(5) 
(29) 

4  

6  
14  
(14) 

19  
(1) 

Sensitivity changes on these positions will generally be recognized in profit or loss or in the translation reserve in equity, 

with the exception of the instruments for which cash flow hedge accounting or net-investment hedge accounting is 

applied. 

In case of a strengthening or weakening of the euro against USD, CHF and CNY (being the key currencies), this would 

affect the translation of financial instruments denominated in these currencies taking into account the effect of hedge 

accounting and assuming all other variables being constant. 

EUR 
USD (10% movement) 
CHF (10% movement) 
CNY (10% movement) 

Profit or loss 

Equity 

Strengthening  

Weakening 

Strengthening 

Weakening 

(19) 
26  
(128) 

19  
(26) 
128  

(299) 
(167) 
(66) 

299  
167  
66  

Price risk 
Financial instruments that are subject to changes in stock exchange prices or indexes are subject to a price risk. At year-

end 2023, mainly other participating interests are subject to price risks. 

Credit risk 
Credit risk is the risk that a (commercial or financial) counterparty may not be able to honor a financial commitment 

according to the contractual agreement with DSM. The company manages the credit risk to which it is exposed by 

applying credit limits per institution and by dealing exclusively with institutions that have a high credit rating. 

At the balance sheet date, there were no significant concentrations of credit risks. 

For all financial assets measured at amortized cost, the estimation of the loss allowance for doubtful accounts receivable 

is based on an expected credit loss (ECL) model.  

For trade receivables, DSM uses an allowance matrix to measure the lifetime ECL for trade receivables. The loss rates 

depend among other things on the specified aging categories and are based on historical write-off percentages, taking 

market developments into account.  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

83 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

For other financial assets, DSM applies an ECL model that reflects the size and significance of DSM’s exposure to credit 

loss. The ECL is based on the allocation of a credit risk grade which is based on data that is determined to be predictive 

of the risk of loss (including but not limited to external ratings, audited financial statements, management accounts and 

cash flow projections and available press information about customers) and applying experienced credit judgement. 

Credit risk grades are defined using qualitative and quantitative factors that are indicative of the risk of default and are 

aligned to external credit rating definitions from Moody’s. 

Risk of default is herewith considered as the risk of bankruptcy, or any legal impediment to the timely payment of either 

interest and/or principal, as well as missed or delayed disbursement of either interest and/or principal. 

The loss allowance on non-current financial assets that has been taken into consideration at the end of 2023 was €0 

million (2022: €2 million). 

With regard to treasury activities (for example cash, cash equivalents and derivatives held with banks or financial 

institutions) it is ensured that financial transactions are only concluded with counterparties that have at least a Moody’s 

credit rating of A3 for long-term instruments. At Business Unit level, outstanding receivables are continuously monitored 

by management. Appropriate allowances are made for any credit risks that have been identified in line with the expected 

credit loss policy. 

The development of the outstanding trade accounts receivable per aging category is as follows. 

Neither past due nor impaired 
1–29 days overdue 
30–89 days overdue 
90 days or more overdue 

Total 

2023  

1,090  
56  
16  
21  

1,183  

2022  

1,117  
69  
100  
20  

1,306  

The table below provides information about the credit risk exposure per aging category and the ECL for trade accounts 

receivable of €18 million at 31 December 2023 (31 December 2022: €12 million), see Note 13 Current receivables to the 

consolidated financial statements. 

Neither past due nor impaired 
1–29 days overdue 
30–89 days overdue 
90 days or more overdue 
Total 

Weighted 
average 
loss rate 
0.2% 
0.0% 
0.0% 
76.2% 

2023 

Gross 
carrying 
amount 
1,090  
56  
16  
21  
1,183  

Expected 
credit loss 

(2) 
-   
-   
(16) 
(18) 

Weighted 
average 
loss rate 
0.1% 
0.0% 
1.0% 
53.0% 

2022 

Gross 
carrying 
amount 
1,117  
69  
100  
20  
1,306  

Expected 
credit loss 

(1) 
-   
(1) 
(10) 
(12) 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

84 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

The changes in the expected credit loss for trade accounts receivable are as follows. 

Balance at 1 January 

Net remeasurement of expected credit loss 
Deductions 
Disposals 
Exchange differences 

Balance at 31 December 

2023  

(12) 

(7) 
1  
-  
-  

(18) 

2022  

(23) 

7  
3  
1  
-  

(12) 

The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amounts of financial assets that are recognized in 

the balance sheet, including derivative financial instruments. DSM has International Swaps and Derivatives Association 

(ISDA) agreements in place with its financial counterparties that allow for the netting of exposures in case of a default of 

either party, but do not meet the criteria for offsetting in the balance sheet. The following table presents the carrying 

amounts of the derivative financial instruments subject to these agreements. No significant agreements or financial 

instruments were available at the reporting date that would reduce the maximum exposure to credit risk. 

Exposure to credit risk related to derivatives 

Receivables from derivatives presented in the balance sheet 
Related amounts not offset in the balance sheet 

Net amount 

Liabilities from derivatives presented in the balance sheet 
Related amounts not offset in the balance sheet 

Net amount 

Notional value of derivative financial instruments 

2023  

2022  

81  
(12) 

69  

(31) 
12  

(19) 

124  
(23) 

101  

(27) 
23  

(4) 

Cross-currency interest rate swaps 
Forward exchange contracts, currency 
options, currency swaps 
Other derivatives 

Total 

Non-
current 
(25) 

2023 

2022 

Current 

Total 

Non-current 

Current 

Total 

(31) 

(56) 

(29) 

(87) 

(116) 

(2) 
-   

(27) 

(761) 
-   

(763) 
-   

(792) 

(819) 

(7) 
-   

(973) 
(1) 

(980) 
(1) 

(36) 

(1,061) 

(1,097) 

Information about financial assets is presented in Note 10 Associates and joint arrangements, Note 11 Other financial 

assets, Note 13 Current receivables, Note 14 Current investments and Note 15 Cash and cash equivalents to the 

consolidated financial statements. 

DSM may grant corporate guarantees for credit support of subsidiaries and associates, to get access to credit facilities 

which are necessary for their operating working capital needs and which cannot be funded by the corporate cash pools 

and/or for bank guarantees needed for local governmental requirements. Information on guarantees is presented in Note 

22 Contingent liabilities and other financial obligations to the consolidated financial statements. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

85 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Hedge accounting 
DSM uses derivative financial instruments to manage financial risks relating to business operations and does not enter 

into speculative derivative positions. The purpose of cash flow hedges is to minimize the risk of volatility of future cash 

flows. These may result from a recognized asset or liability or a forecast transaction that is considered highly probable 

(firm commitment). DSM determines the existence of an economic relationship between the hedging instrument and 

hedging item based on currency, amount and timing of their respective cash-flows. The hedge ratio is dependent on the 

risk analysis related to the specific cash flow, and can vary from 50% to 100%. Changes in fair value as a result of changes 

in interest (for cash flows hedges) or as a result of changes in exchange rate (for firm commitment hedges) are 

recognized in Other comprehensive income (Hedging reserve), and ineffectiveness (mainly as a result of changes in 

timing of the hedged transactions) will be recognized in the income statement. As soon as the forecast transaction is 

realized (the underlying hedged item materializes), the amount recognized in the Other comprehensive income will be 

reclassified to the income statement. In case the hedged future transaction is a non-financial asset or liability, the gain or 

loss recognized in Other comprehensive income will be included in the cost of acquisition of the asset or liability. 

The purpose of a hedge of a net investment is to reduce the foreign currency translation risk of an investment in a 

company whose functional currency is not the euro. Changes in fair value are recognized in Other comprehensive income 

(Translation reserve), and ineffectiveness will be recognized in the income statement. The amount recognized in Other 

comprehensive income will be reclassified to the income statement, upon divestment of the respective foreign 

subsidiary. 

The purpose of a fair value hedge is to hedge the fair value of assets or liabilities reflected on the balance sheet. Changes 

of fair value in hedging instruments, as well as hedged items, will be recognized in the income statement. 

Cash flow hedges 

In 2023, DSM hedged USD 498 million (2022: USD 611 million) of its 2024 projected net cash flow in USD against the EUR 

by means of average-rate currency forward contracts at an average exchange rate of USD 1.10 per EUR for the four 

quarters of 2024. Each quarter, the relevant hedges for that quarter will be settled and recognized in the income 

statement.  

In 2023, DSM also hedged JPY 7,535 million (2022: JPY 5,687 million) of its 2024 projected net cash flow in JPY against 

the EUR by means of average-rate currency forward contracts at an average exchange rate of JPY 147.11 per EUR for the 

four quarters of 2024. DSM also hedged the projected CHF obligations against the EUR, namely CHF 393 million (2022: 

CHF 417 million) at an average exchange rate of CHF 0.95 per EUR. These hedges have fixed the exchange rate for part of 

the USD and JPY receipts and CHF payments in 2024. Cash flow hedge accounting is applied for these hedges. As a 

result of similar hedges concluded in 2022 for the year 2023, €24 million positive was recognized in the 2023 operating 

profit of the segments involved in accordance with the realization of the expected cash flows. There was no 
ineffectiveness in relation to these hedges. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

86 

 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Net investment hedges 

The partial hedging of the currency risk associated with the translation of DSM’s CHF-denominated investments was zero 
at end of 2023 (same as 2022).  

2022 

Nominal amount hedged item 
Carrying amount assets 
Carrying amount liabilities 
Line item balance sheet 
Change in the value of the hedging instrument 
Costs of hedging recognized in OCI 
Reclassified from hedging reserve to income statement 
Line item income statement 
. 

2023 

Nominal amount hedged item 
Carrying amount assets 
Carrying amount liabilities 
Line item balance sheet 
Change in the value of the hedging instrument 
Costs of hedging recognized in OCI 
Reclassified from hedging reserve to income statement 
Line item income statement 

Cash flow hedges 
Foreign currency risk 

Inventory purchases 

Other 

29  
1  
-  
 Derivatives  
4  
4  
10  
 Cost of sales  

12  
1  
-  
 Derivatives  
-  
-  
2  
Cost of sales 

194  
18  
-  
 Derivatives  
(28) 
1  
30  
 Sales  

108  
25  
(1) 
 Derivatives  
(6) 
(30) 
(24) 
Sales 

Fair value of financial instruments 

The fair value of derivatives and long-term instruments are based on calculations, quoted market prices or quotes 

obtained from intermediaries. 

The portfolio of derivatives consists of average-rate forward contracts that are valued against average foreign exchange 

forward rates obtained from Bloomberg and other derivatives that are valued using a discounted cash flow model, 

applicable market yield curves and foreign exchange spot rates. Inputs for the fair value calculations represent 

observable market data that are obtained from external sources that are deemed to be independent and reliable. 

DSM uses the following hierarchy for determining the fair value of financial instruments: 
Level 1: quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities 

• 

• 

• 

Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs that have a significant effect on the fair value are observable, either 

directly or indirectly 

Level 3: techniques that use inputs that have a significant effect on the fair value that are not based on 

observable market data 

The following table shows the carrying amounts and fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities, including their 

levels in the fair value hierarchy. It does not include fair value information for the financial assets and financial liabilities 

measured at amortized cost if the carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of the fair value. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

87 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Fair value of financial instruments 

Carrying amount 

Fair Value 

Amort. 
Cost 

Fair value 
hedging 
instr. 

FVTPL 

FVOCI 

Total 

Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 

Total 

Assets 2022 

Non-current derivatives 
Other participating interests 
Non-current loans to associates and JVs 
Other non-current receivables 
Trade receivables 
Other current receivables 
Current derivatives 
Current investments 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Liabilities 2022 

Non-current borrowings 
Non-current derivatives 
Other non-current liabilities 
Current borrowings 
Current derivatives 
Trade payables 
Other current liabilities 
. 

Assets 2023 

Non-current derivatives 
Other participating interests 
Non-current loans to associates and JVs 
Other non-current receivables 
Trade receivables 
Other current receivables 
Current derivatives 
Current investments 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Liabilities 2023 

Non-current borrowings 
Non-current derivatives 
Other non-current liabilities 
Current borrowings 
Current derivatives 
Trade payables 
Other current liabilities 

-   
-   
2  
158  
1,508  
78  
-   
125  
1,262  

(2,978) 
-   
(82) 
(86) 
-   
(1,415) 
(490) 

-   
-   
4  
63  
1,535  
286  
-   
101  
1,250  

(2,487) 
-   
(85) 
(631) 
-   
(1,364) 
(1,179) 

4  
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
42  
-   
-   

-   
(4) 
-   
-   
(23) 
-   
-   

2  
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
35  
-   
-   

-   
(3) 
-   
-   
(28) 
-   
-   

78  
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
1,493  

-   
-   
(123) 
-   
-   
-   
-   

44  
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
931  

-   
-   
(45) 
-   
-   
-   
-   

-   
125  
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   

-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   

-   
139  
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   

-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   

82  
125  
2  
158  
1,508  
78  
42  
125  
2,755  

(2,978) 
(4) 
(205) 
(86) 
(23) 
(1,415) 
(490) 

46  
139  
4  
63  
1,535  
286  
35  
101  
2,181  

(2,487) 
(3) 
(130) 
(631) 
(28) 
(1,364) 
(1,179) 

-   
27  

82  
62  

-   
36  

82  
125  

-   

42  

1,493  

-   

-   

-   

42  

1,493  

(2,432) 
-   
-   
-   
-   

-   
(4) 
-   
-   
(23) 

-   
-   
(123) 
-   
-   

(2,432) 
(4) 
(123) 
-   
(23) 

-   
38  

46  
78  

-   
23  

46  
139  

-   

35  

931  

-   

-   

-   

35  

931  

(2,065) 
-   
-   
(498) 
-   

-   
(3) 
-   
-   
(28) 

-   
-   
(45) 
-   
-   

(2,065) 
(3) 
(45) 
(498) 
(28) 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

88 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

24 Employee benefits 

Accounting policy  

Short-term employee benefits 
Short-term employee benefits are generally recognized as an expense in the period the employee renders services to 

DSM.  

Post-employment benefits: Defined contribution plans 
For DSM’s defined contribution plans, the obligations are limited to the payment of contributions, which are recognized 

as Employee benefit costs. 

Post-employment benefits: Defined benefit plans 
For defined benefit plans, the aggregate of the value of the defined benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets for 

each plan is recognized as a net defined benefit liability or asset. Defined benefit obligations are determined using the 

projected unit credit method. Plan assets are recognized at fair value. If the fair value of plan assets exceeds the present 

value of the defined benefit obligation, a net asset is only recognized to the extent that the asset is available for refunds 

to the employer or for reductions in future contributions to the plan. Defined benefit pension costs consist of three 

elements: service costs, net interest, and remeasurements. Service costs are part of Employee benefit costs and consist 

of current service costs. Past service costs and results of plan settlements are included in Other operating income or 

expense. Net interest is part of Finance income and expense and is determined on the basis of the value of the net 

defined benefit asset or liability at the start of the year, and on the interest on high-quality corporate bonds. 

Remeasurements are actuarial gains and losses, the return (or interest cost) on net plan assets (or liabilities) excluding 

amounts included in net interest and changes in the effect of the asset ceiling. These remeasurements are recognized in 

Other comprehensive income as they occur and are not recycled through profit or loss at a later stage. 

Post-employment defined benefit plans include pension plans and other post-employment benefits. 

Other employee benefits 
The service cost, the net interest on the net defined liability (asset) and remeasurements of the net defined liability 

(asset) related to other long-term employee benefits, such as jubilee and incentive plans, are recognized in profit or loss.   

Estimates and judgments 
Management makes assumptions regarding variables such as discount rate, future salary increases, life expectancy, and 

future healthcare costs. Management consults with external actuaries regarding these assumptions at least annually for 

significant plans. Changes in these key assumptions can have a significant impact on the projected defined benefit 

obligations, funding requirements and periodic costs incurred. 

The Employee benefit liabilities of €291 million (2022: €292 million) consist of €249 million related to pensions (2022: 

€247 million), €20 million related to other post-employment benefits (2022: €16 million) and €22 million related to other 

employee benefits (2022: €29 million). See also the table below. 

Employee benefit liabilities 

Pension plans and other post-employment benefits 
Other employee benefits 

Total 
Of which current 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

2023  

2022  

269  
22  

291  
2  

263  
29  

292  
5  

89 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

The Group operates a number of defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans throughout the world, the assets 

of which are generally held in separately administered funds. The pension plans are generally funded by payments from 

employees and from the relevant group companies. The Group also provides certain additional healthcare benefits to 

retired employees in the US and Switzerland. 

Post-employment benefits are employee benefits (other than termination benefits and short-term employee benefits) 

that are payable after the completion of employment. Post-employment benefit accounting is intended to reflect the 

recognition of post-employment benefits over the employee’s approximate service period, based on the terms of the 

plans and the investment and funding.  

The charges for post-employment benefit costs recognized in the income statement (Note 5 Net sales and costs to the 

consolidated financial statements) relate to the following. 

Post-employment benefit costs 

Defined benefit plans: 
- Current service costs pension plans 
- Other post-employment benefits 
Defined contribution plans 
Total pension costs included in employee benefit costs 

- Pension costs included in Other operating (income) / expense 
Total in operating profit, continuing operations 
Pension costs included in Financial income and expense 

Total continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 

Total 

Of which: 
- Defined contribution plans 
- Defined benefit plans 

2023  

2022  

30  
3  
63  
96  

(1) 
95  
7  

102  

4  

106  

65  
41  

38  
3  
61  
102  

(2) 
100  
3  

103  

19  

122  

79  
43  

For 2024, costs for the defined benefit plans relating to pensions are expected to be €43 million (2023: €40 million). 

Changes in net liabilities of the post-employment benefits recognized in the balance sheet are shown in the following 

overview. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

90 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impact of 
minimum 
funding 
requirement/ 
asset ceiling 
-   

Net liabilities/ 
(assets) 
recognized in 
the 
balance sheet 
269  

Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Balance at 1 January 2022 

Included in income statement: 

- Current service cost 
- Interest expense / (income) 
Total included in income statement 

Included in other comprehensive income: 

- Loss / (gain) from change in financial assumptions 
- Return on plan assets excluding interest income 
- Asset ceiling change, excluding movement through income statement 
Total included in other comprehensive income 

Other 

- Benefits paid (including transfers in and out) 
- Contributions by plan participants 
- Employer contributions 
- Currency translation adjustment and other 
- Reclassification held for sale 
Total other 

Funded and 
unfunded 
defined 
benefit 
obligations 
2,156  

40  
19  
59  

(500) 
-   
-   
(500) 

(84) 
19  
-   
63  
(5) 
(7) 

Fair value of plan 
assets 

(1,887) 

-   
(16) 
(16) 

-   
369  
-   
369  

70  
(19) 
(42) 
(68) 
-   
(59) 

-   
-   
-   

-   
-   
126  
126  

-   
-   
-   
3  
-   
3  

Balance at 31 December 2022 

1,708  

(1,593) 

129  

. 
Net defined benefit assets 
Net defined benefit liabilities 
Total 

. 
- Current service cost 
- Interest (expense) / income 
Total included in income statement 

Included in other comprehensive income: 

- Loss / (gain) from change in demographic assumptions 
- Loss / (gain) from change in financial assumptions 
- Experience loss / (gain) 
- Return on plan assets excluding interest income 
- Asset ceiling change, excluding movement through income statement 
Total included in other comprehensive income 

Other 

- Benefits paid (including transfers in and out) 
- Contributions by plan participants 
- Employer contributions 
- Settlements 
- Balance sheet transfer 
- Acquisition / disposals 
- Currency translation adjustment and other 
Total other 

. 
Balance at 31 December 2023 

. 
Net defined benefit assets 
Net defined benefit liabilities 
Total 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

35  
49  
84  

(3) 
112  
26  
-   
-   
135  

(90) 
20  
-   
(190) 
4  
3  
79  
(174) 

-   
(45) 
(45) 

-   
-   
-   
(43) 
-   
(43) 

67  
(20) 
(46) 
186  
-   
-   
(84) 
103  

-   
3  
3  

-   
-   
-   
-   
(58) 
(58) 

-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
5  
5  

1,753  

(1,578) 

79  

254  

(15) 
269  
254  

91 

40  
3  
43  

(500) 
369  
126  
(5) 

(14) 
-   
(42) 
(2) 
(5) 
(63) 

244  

(19) 
263  
244  

35  
7  
42  

(3) 
112  
26  
(43) 
(58) 
34  

(23) 
-   
(46) 
(4) 
4  
3  
-   
(66) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

The fair value of the plan assets consists of 93% of quoted assets (2022: 94%). 

Pension-plan assets by category 

Equities 
Bonds 
Derivatives 
Property 
Insurance policies 
Other 
Cash and bank deposits 

Total plan assets 

2023  

2022  

445  
606  
-   
362  
2  
140  
22  

389  
730  
-   
350  
1  
108  
15  

1,577  

1,593  

The pension-plan assets include neither ordinary DSM shares nor property occupied by DSM.  

The countries with the most significant defined benefit obligations for DSM are specified in the following table. 

Defined benefit plans in core countries 

Switzerland 

United 
States of 
America 

United 
Kingdom 

Germany 

Other 
countries 

Total 

Defined benefit plans 2022 
Funded and unfunded defined benefit 
obligations 

Fair value of plan assets 
Net excess of liabilities/(assets) over 
obligations 
Unrecognized assets due to asset ceiling 
Net excess of liabilities/(assets) over 
obligations recognized 
. 
Composed of 

Net defined benefit assets 

Net defined benefit liabilities 
Total changes 
. 
Defined benefit plans 2023 
Funded and unfunded defined benefit 
obligations 

Fair value of plan assets 
Net excess of liabilities/(assets) over 
obligations 
Unrecognized assets due to asset ceiling 
Net excess of liabilities/(assets) over 
obligations recognized 
. 
Composed of 

Net defined benefit assets 

Net defined benefit liabilities 
Total changes 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

1,096  

(1,228) 

(132) 
124  

(8) 

(9) 

1  
(8) 

1,320  

(1,407) 

(87) 
79  

(8) 

(9) 

1  
(8) 

201  

(203) 

159  

(154) 

(2) 
4  

2  

(10) 

12  
2  

9  

(6) 

3  
-   

3  

(6) 

9  
3  

5  
1  

6  

-   

6  
6  

164  

(154) 

10  
-   

10  

-   

10  
10  

244  

(8) 

236  
-   

236  

-   

236  
236  

244  

(11) 

233  
-   

233  

-   

233  
233  

8  

-   

8  
-   

8  

-   

8  
8  

16  

-   

16  
-   

16  

-   

16  
16  

1,708  

(1,593) 

115  
129  

244  

(19) 

263  
244  

1,753  

(1,578) 

175  
79  

254  

(15) 

269  
254  

92 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

The main actuarial assumptions for the year (weighted averages) are: 

Actuarial assumptions for major plans 

2022 

Discount rate 

Price inflation 
Salary increase 
Pension increase 
. 
2023 

Discount rate 

Price inflation 
Salary increase 
Pension increase 

Switzerland 

United States of 
America 

United Kingdom 

Germany 

2.20% 

1.25% 
2.25% 
0.00% 

1.30% 

1.25% 
2.25% 
0.00% 

5.40% 

0.00% 
3.00% 
0.00% 

5.00% 

0.00% 
3.00% 
0.00% 

4.80% 

3.35% 
0.00% 
3.15% 

4.50% 

3.15% 
0.00% 
3.00% 

3.70% 

0.00% 
3.20% 
2.60% 

3.20% 

0.00% 
2.80% 
2.20% 

The above-mentioned actuarial assumptions are harmonized for all defined benefit plans in a country. 

Sensitivities of significant actuarial assumptions 
The discount rate, the future increase in wages and salaries and the pension increase rate were identified as significant 
actuarial assumptions. The following impacts on the defined benefit obligation are to be expected. 

•  A 0.25% increase/decrease in the discount rate would lead to a decrease/increase of 2.6% (2022: 2.5%) in the 

defined benefit obligation 

•  A 0.25% increase/decrease in the expected increase in salaries/wages would lead to an increase/decrease of 

0.3% (2022: 0.3%) in the defined benefit obligation 

•  A 0.25% increase/decrease in the expected rate of pension increase would lead to an increase/decrease of less 

than 1.4% (2022: 0.6%) in the defined benefit obligation 

The sensitivity analysis is based on realistically possible changes as at the end of the reporting year. Each change in a 

significant actuarial assumption was analyzed separately as part of the test. Interdependencies were not taken into 

account. 

Main defined benefit plans description  
The DSM Group companies have various pension plans, which are geared to the local regulations and practices in the 

countries in which they operate. As these plans are designed to comply with the statutory framework, tax legislation, 

local customs, and economic situation of the countries concerned, it follows that the nature of the plans varies from 

country to country. The plans are based on local legal and contractual obligations. 

DSM‘s current policy is to offer defined contribution retirement benefit plans to new employees wherever possible. 

However, DSM still has a (small) number of defined benefit pension and healthcare schemes from the past or in countries 

where legislation does not allow us to offer a defined contribution scheme. Generally, these schemes have been funded 

through external trusts or foundations, where DSM faces the potential risk of funding shortfalls.  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

93 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

The most significant defined benefit schemes are: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 DSM Nutritional Products (DNP) AG Pension Plan in Switzerland (DNP AG) 

 DSM UK Pension Scheme in the UK 

 Consolidated Pension Plan of DSM North America, Inc. in the US 

 Pension Plan at DSM Nutritional Products GmbH in Germany (DNP GmbH) 

For each plan, the following characteristics are relevant:  

DNP AG Pension Plan in Switzerland  
The DNP AG Pension Plan is a typical Swiss Cash Balance plan. For accounting purposes, this plan is qualified as a defined 

benefit plan. It is a contribution-based plan, with no promise of indexation for on-going pensions. The Swiss state minimal 

requirements for occupational benefit plans have however to be respected.  

The purpose of the plan is to protect the (legacy) DSM employees against the economic consequences of retirement, 

disability and death. The employer and employees pay contributions to the pension plan at rates set out in the pension 

plans rules based on a percentage of salary. The amount of the retirement account can be taken by the employee at 

retirement in the form of pension or capital. 

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation is 10.8 years (2022: 10.0 years) which could be seen as 

an indication of the maturity profile of the scheme. 

According to the Swiss Federal Law on Occupational Retirement, Survivors and Disability (LPP/BVG), the Swiss Pension 

plans are managed by independent and legally autonomous entities which have the legal structure of foundation. The 

Pension Boards are composed of equal numbers of employee and employer representatives. Each year, the Pension 

Boards decide the level of interest, if any, to apply to the retirement accounts in accordance with the pension policy. 

It is also responsible for the investment of the assets and defining the investment strategy for long-term returns with an 

acceptable level of risk. The plan assets are collectively invested (no individual investment choice).   

DSM UK Pension Scheme 
The DSM UK Pension Scheme was closed as of 30 September 2016 for all pension accruals. An unconditional indexation 

policy is applicable for the vested pension rights.  

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation is 13.9 years (2022: 14.3 years), which could be seen as 

an indication of the maturity profile of the scheme. 

The pension plan is managed and controlled by a DSM company pension fund. The Board of Trustees consists of 

representatives of the employer and the employees who have an independent role. Till last year, there were two company 

guarantees in place: (1) a guarantee from DNP AG (capped at GBP 14 million) related to the 2012 valuation, and (2) a 

guarantee from DSM B.V. (capped at GBP 11 million) related to arrangements with respect to former UK divestments. Both 

guarantees were surrendered by a one-time payment of the company.  

There is a long-term de-risking strategy for the DSM UK Pension Scheme in place with the objective to align the 

company’s intentions and the Trustees responsibility with respect to this plan. 

Consolidated Plan of DSM North America, Inc.  in the US 
The Consolidated Plan in the US has been closed to new entrants since 2014. As of 31 December 2016, the plan was 

closed for pension accrual of the non-unionized employees, and as a result of the DRF divestment in 2021, it was fully 

frozen for all unionized employees as well. In December 2023, all pension liabilities within the plan were fully settled with 

an insurance company.  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

94 

 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

As a result of the settlement, the weighted average duration of the defined obligations is 0.0 years (2022: 9.7 years). 

The pension plan was managed and controlled by a DSM company pension fund. The pension fund will finalize the last 

formalities and will finally be liquidated. 

DNP GmbH Pension Plan in Germany 
The DNP GmbH Pension Plan in Germany has been closed to new entrants as of 31 December 2008. The accrual is still 

applicable for employees who have been participating in the plan since 2008. The pension plan is a final-pay pension 

plan (averaged over the last 12 months prior to retirement) and service-related benefit.  

The liability is on the balance sheet of DSM Nutritional Products GmbH. No assets are allocated to this liability. All 

reimbursements will be paid out by the local company.  

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation is 12.0 years (2022: 12.9 years), which could be seen as 

an indication of the maturity profile of the scheme. 

Other employee benefits  
Other employee benefits comprise jubilees, long-term incentive (LTI) plans to senior management and deferred 

compensation liabilities. The changes in other employee benefits are listed below. 

Balance at 1 January 2022 

Of which current 

Changes: 

- Additions 
- Uses 
- Reclassification to held for sale 
Total changes 

Balance at 31 December 2022 

Of which current 
. 

Changes: 
- Acquisition 
- Additions 
- Releases 
- Uses 
- Other change 
Total changes 

Balance at 31 December 2023 

Of which current 

Other employee benefits 
40  

5  

(3) 
(4) 
(4) 
(11) 

29  

5  

-   
2  
(2) 
(7) 
-   
(7) 

22  

2  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

95  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

25 Net debt 
The development of the components of net debt is as follows. 

Balance at 1 January 2022 

Change from operating activities 

Change from investing activities 
Reclassification from non-current to 
current 

Transfers 
Dividend 
Interest 
Proceeds from reissued shares 
New/unwinding leases 
Repurchase of shares 
Other 

Change from financing activities 

Exchange differences 

Total changes 

Cash and 
cash 
equivalents 
1,561  

965  

876  

-   

(58) 
(345) 
(52) 
25  
-   
(210) 
(5) 

(645) 

(2) 

Current 
investments 

489  

-   

(364) 

-   

-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   

-   

-   

1,194  

(364) 

Non-
current 
borrowings 
(2,995) 

Current 
borrowings 

Derivatives 

Total 

(103) 

29  

(1,019) 

(9) 

7  

40  

17  
-   
-   
-   
(34) 
-   
-   

23  

(4) 

17  

-   

20  

(40) 

39  
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   

(1) 

(2) 

17  

65  

1,021  

-   

539  

-   

2  
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
(5) 

-   

-   
(345) 
(52) 
25  
(34) 
(210) 
(10) 

(3) 

(626) 

6  

(2) 

68  

932  

Balance at 31 December 2022 

2,755  

125  

(2,978) 

(86) 

97  

(87) 

. 

Change from operating activities 

Change from investing activities 
Reclassification from non-current to 
current 
Transfers 
Dividend to shareholders on AEX 
Interest 
Proceeds from reissued shares 
New/unwinding leases 
Repurchase of shares 
Funding cash pool 
Other 
Change from financing activities 

Exchange differences 

Total changes 

Balance at 31 December 2023 

576  

2,711  

-   
(73) 
(3,935) 
(14) 
8  
-   
(256) 
425  
(7) 
(3,852) 

(9) 

(574) 

2,181  

-   

(24) 

-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   

-   

-   

-   

544  
57  
-   
(2) 
-   
(108) 
-   
-   
-   
491  

-   

-   

(13) 

(544) 
12  
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
(532) 

(51) 

525  

-   

2,674  

-   
-   
-   
4  
-    (3,935) 
(16) 
-   
-   
8  
(108) 
-   
(256) 
-   
425  
-   
-   
(7) 
4   (3,889) 

-   

-   

(9) 

(24) 

491  

(545) 

(47) 

(699) 

101  

(2,487) 

(631) 

50  

(786) 

For the explanation of change related to Funding cash pool, see Note 26 Notes to the cash flow statements to the 

consolidated financial statements. 

In 2023, the gearing (net debt / equity plus net debt) was 8.1% (in 2022: 0.8%). 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

96 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

26 Notes to the cash flow statements 
The cash flow statement provides an explanation of the changes in cash and cash equivalents. It is prepared on the basis 

of a comparison of the balance sheets at 1 January and 31 December. Changes that do not involve cash flows, such as 

changes in exchange rates, amortization, depreciation, impairment losses and transfers to other balance sheet items, are 

eliminated. 

Changes in working capital due to the acquisition or disposal of consolidated companies are included under Investing 

activities. 

The Consolidated cash flow statement includes an analysis of all cash flows in total, therefore including both continuing 

and discontinued operations. For the amounts related to discontinued operations split by activities and a reconciliation 

of results from continuing operations to total, see Note 3 Change in the scope of the consolidation to the consolidated 

financial statements. 

Most of the changes in the cash flow statement can be traced back to the detailed statements of changes for the 

balance sheet items concerned. 

Acquisition of subsidiaries of €389 million consists of the cash related part of the consideration for Adare Biome of 

€290 million and acquisition/integration/earn-out related costs of €100 million, offset partly by the cash held by the 

acquired entities of €1 million. The disposal of subsidiaries, businesses and associates of €3,533 million consists 

primarily of the cash impact of the divestment of the Engineering Materials business for €3,553 million. See also Note 3 

Change in the scope of the consolidation to the consolidated financial statements. 

Funding Cash pool 
Funding cash pool relates to Group cash management facility within the dsm-firmenich Group. Cash balances of the 

dsm-firmenich Group are pooled and transferred to a centralized treasury function within DSM to the extent legally and 

fiscally possible. Cash balances of dsm-firmenich subsidiaries are swept daily to bank accounts centrally held by DSM 

Finance B.V., to the extent legally possible, which as such result in a receivable balance on or payable balance to DSM 

Finance B.V. 

27 Share-based compensation 

Accounting policy 
Share-based compensation at DSM consists of the granting of Performance Share Units (PSUs) and Restricted Share 

Units (RSUs), and stock option plans to eligible employees. 

PSUs and RSUs generally vest after three years on the achievement of predefined vesting conditions. The cost of PSUs 

and RSUs is measured by reference to the fair value of the DSM-Firmenich AG and former Koninklijke DSM N.V. shares on 

the date on which the PSUs and RSUs were granted or modified. The cost is recognized in profit or loss (Employee benefit 

costs) during the vesting period, together with a corresponding increase in equity. The transaction is classified as an 

equity-settled transaction because DSM has no obligation to settle the transaction with its eligible employees. The 

obligation to settle was transferred to DSM-Firmenich AG (the parent and issuing entity) following the swap of shares 

after the merger. Vesting conditions other than market conditions are considered by adjusting the number of equity 

instruments, so that the amount recognized during the vesting period in employee benefit costs is based on the number 

of share units that eventually vest. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

97  

 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Estimates and judgments 
Key estimates related to share-based compensation costs for PSUs and RSUs are the estimation of fair values of the 

shares on the grant or modification date, and the number of shares that will vest. An independent third party conducts 

the fair value calculation as far as vesting is tied to market conditions, using the Monte Carlo method.  

Restricted- and Performance Share Unit Plan 
Following the merger, all shares in the Restricted- and Performance Share Unit Plan based on former Koninklijke DSM N.V 

shares of the plans were converted to shares of DSM-Firmenich AG. 

The DSM and dsm-firmenich Restricted- and Performance Share Unit Plans provide rules for the grant of RSUs and/or 

PSUs to eligible employees. Considering the plan rules that allow multiple grant dates, best practice is to effectuate the 

grant of share units on the last trading day at the Amsterdam Stock Exchange in March. In principle PSUs will be granted; 

RSUs may be granted in specific circumstances. 

The number of share units to be granted is based on job level, contribution, and the face value of the dsm-firmenich 

share over a reference period. As a result, the number of share units to be granted annually will fluctuate with the share 

price development. 

RSUs and PSUs are subject to a vesting period of 3 years starting at the grant date. Vesting of RSUs is subject to 

continued employment until the vesting date (‘time vesting’). In addition, vesting of PSUs is also subject to the 

achievement of predefined performance targets at the end of the performance period. In view of the merger of equals 

between DSM and Firmenich, it was decided (as included in the Offering Circular) that the PSUs granted under DSM’s 

Long-Term Incentive plan in 2021 and 2022, respectively, shall vest against the average of the vesting result achieved over 

the vesting that occurred in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Non-vested share units will be forfeited. If employment is terminated 

prior to the vesting date, specific rules regarding vesting and forfeitures apply. 

As included in the Offering Circular, all rights of eligible persons recorded as outstanding immediately prior to the 

settlement of the merger related to equity grants made under DSM legacy plans related to DSM stock, such as PSUs, 

RSUs or stock options, have been exchanged for equivalent rights related to dsm-firmenich stock (‘roll-over’). 

The 2023 grant of PSUs under the dsm-firmenich Restricted- and Performance Share Unit Plan to Members of the 
Executive Committee and other eligible employees is based on the at target level; in 2023 this concerned 156,299 share 
units. 

At DSM, grants to the Executive Committee were based on the maximum number to vest while the grant to other eligible 

employees is – as of 2021 – based on the ‘at-target’ grant level (in previous years this was the ‘maximum number’ that 

could vest). This ‘at-target’ grant level includes RSUs as well as PSUs. The 2020 grant vested 31 March 2023. The vesting 

percentage for the Managing Board / Executive Committee was 105% of the at target grant (or 70% of the maximum to 

vest i.e., the number initially granted). For other eligible employees, all outstanding RSUs vested the vesting date, while the 
vesting % for the PSUs was 135% of the at target grant. In total 110,985 share units of this series vested. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

98 

 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

Overview of share units eligible employees from DSM 
Year of 
grant 

In 2023 

Granted 

Vested¹ 

Outstanding 
at 
31 Dec. 2022 

Forfeited/ 
expired 

Outstanding 
at 
31 Dec. 2023 

Share price 
at date of 
grant (€) 

Expiry date 

2020 
2021 
2022 
2023 
2023 
Total 

97,386  
83,711  
85,707  
-   

14,762  
-   
-   
156,299  

(110,985) 
(11,650) 
(10,165) 
(1,546) 

(1,163) 
(2,178) 
(3,033) 
(2,864) 

-   
69,883  
72,509  
151,889  

103.50  
144.30  
162.50  
97.67  

31 Mar 2023 
31 Mar 2024 
31 Mar 2025 
31 Mar 2026 

266,804  
at 
31 Dec. 2021 

171,061  

(134,346) 

(9,238) 

294,281  
at 
31 Dec. 2022 

2022 
Total 
1  Restricted- and Performance Share Units may partly vest upon termination of employment in connection with, for example, divestments, reti rement or 

266,804  

(24,630) 

236,833  

(35,885) 

90,486  

early retirement. 

In September 2022, a group of senior key employees (excluding the Co-CEOs) at DSM received an RSU grant, which was 

subject to completion of the merger between DSM and Firmenich. As the merger was completed, the RSUs were finally 

granted. Upon vesting, the respective grant will be settled in cash. These cash-settled RSUs vest in September 2025 and 

have a fair value on 31 December 2023 of €92.00. 

Overview of cash-settled RSUs 
Year of 
grant 

Granted 

Outstanding 
at 
31 Dec. 2022 

In 2023 

Vested 

Forfeited/ 
expired 

Outstanding 
at 
31 Dec. 2023 

Share price 
at date of 
grant (€) 

Expiry date 

2022 

92,861  

194  

(4,141) 

(4,130) 

84,784  

117.45   30 Sep 2025 

Measurement of fair value 
The following assumptions were used to determine the fair value of the equity-settled share units at grant date. 

Assumptions equity-settled share units 

Share units granted to certain executives 

Risk-free rate¹ 
Expected share life in years 
Nominal share life in years 
Share price in €¹ 
Expected dividend in € 
Fair value of share granted in € 
1  The differences in the risk-free rate and share price are due to different grant dates. 

2023  

2022  

2.79% 
3  
3  
100.50  
1.00  
97.67  

0.25% 
3  
3  
162.50  
2.50  
156.37  

Share-based compensation 
An amount of €23 million is included in the costs for wages and salaries for share-based compensation (2022: €35 

million). The following table specifies the share-based compensation. 

Share-based compensation 

Stock options 
Equity-settled share units 
Cash-settled share units 

Total expense 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

2023  

2022  

-   
18  
5  

23  

7  
27  
1  

35  

99 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

28 Related parties 

Accounting policy 
DSM has identified its key management personnel, the other entities from the dsm-firmenich Group and  its associates 

and joint ventures as related parties. For associates and joint ventures, see also Note 10 Associates and joint 

arrangements to the consolidated financial statements. 

Key management personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling 

the activities of the entity, directly or indirectly, as defined by IAS 24 ‘Related Parties’. IAS 24 requires disclosure of key 

management personnel split in the total of short-term employee benefits (salary and short-term incentive), post-

employment (pension expenditure) and other long-term benefits, termination benefits and share-based payment cost 

(share-based compensation). 

Transactions with related parties 

DSM-Firmenich AG (equity holder) 
Sales to 
Receivables from 
In-house cash receivables (payables) 
Interest from 

Firmenich entities 
Sales to 
Receivables from 
In-house cash receivables (payables) 

Associates and joint ventures 
Sales to 
Purchases from 
Loans to 
Receivables from 
Payables to 
Interest from 
Commitments to  

2023  

2022  

17  
33  
(692) 
4  

62  
46  
177  

8  
96  
4  
16  
3  
-   
6  

-   
-   

-   

-   
-   
-   

18  
35  
1  
17  
4  
1  
-   

DSM issued dividends to DSM-Firmenich AG for respectively €3.5 billion as part of the merger with Firmenich group and 

€278 million as regular dividends in 2023. See Note 26 Notes to the cash flow statements and Note 16 Equity to the 

consolidated financial statements for more information on those transactions. DSM recharged to DSM-Firmenich AG €14 

million of cost recharge. 

DSM may issue guarantees as credit enhancement of associates to acquire bank facilities for these associates. DSM has 

provided guarantees to third parties for debts of associates for an amount of €28 million (2022: €60 million). Expected 

credit losses for receivables from related parties amount to zero (same as 2022). 

Other related-parties disclosures relate entirely to key management of DSM, being represented by the company’s 
management. For further details about their remuneration, see below. 

Key management personnel 
The remuneration of key personnel concerns the Supervisory Board and Executive Committee (which includes the 

Managing Board) of Koninklijke DSM N.V., renamed DSM B.V.   

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

100 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

On April 18, 2023, DSM-Firmenich AG, the parent company of the merger combination DSM and Firmenich, was listed on 

Euronext Amsterdam. As a result, the expenses reported herein concern two periods. The first period is about the 

remuneration awarded to the members of the Supervisory Board and the Executive Committee (including the Managing 

Board) of DSM, insofar as their appointment in such capacity relates to the period from 1 January 2023 until 18 April 2023. 

The second period concerns the remuneration awarded to the members of the Supervisory Board and the Managing 

Board DSM B.V., insofar as their appointment in such capacity relates to the period from 18 April 2023 until 31 December 

2023. For that period, their costs were borne by DSM-Firmenich AG and not directly charged to DSM.B.V. or its 

subsidiaries. 

Remuneration expenses Supervisory Board, Managing Board, and Executive Committee of DSM awarded 
to members of the Supervisory Board, Managing Board and Executive Committee of DSM appointed in 
that capacity for the period 1 January 2023 until 18 April 2023  
x € thousand 

2023  

2022  

Base salary / Supervisory Board fees 
Employer pension contribution 
Short-Term Incentive¹ 
Share-based compensation² 
Other³ 

Total 
1  Short-Term Incentive based on target level minus weight of EBITDA target. 

2,391  
471  
869  
2,518  
16,562  

6,521  
1,197  
3,399  
7,778  
6,612  

22,811  

25,507  

2  Represents the expenses of Performance Share Units (PSUs) awarded according to IFRS rules. These costs are considered over the vesting period and 

therefore cover several years. 

3 

Includes benefits, severance payments for Executive Committee members that left the Company because of the merger, special payments as included 
in the Offering Circular (issued 22 November 2022) related to the merger, settlement DSM STI Deferral and Matching Plan, social security contributions  
and obligations following Article 32bb of the Dutch Wage Tax Act (1964). 

29 Service fees paid to external auditors 
The service fees recognized in the financial statements 2023 for the services of KPMG amounted to €6.4 million (2022: 

€8.8 million). The amounts per service category are shown in the following table. 

Audit of the Group financial statements 
Audit of other (statutory) financial statements 
Other assurance services 
Permitted non-assurance services 
Total assurance services charged to DSM 

Total service fee 

KPMG  
2023  
5.5  
0.7  
0.1  
0.1  
6.4  

KPMG  
2022  
4.7  
0.9  
3.2  
-   
8.8  

Of which 
KPMG NL   KPMG NL  
2022  
3.2  
0.1  
2.8  
-   
6.1  

2023  
3.7  
-   
0.1  
0.1  
3.9  

The service fees mentioned in the table for the audit of the financial statements 2023 (2022) relate to the total fees for 

the audit of the financial statements 2023 (2022), irrespective of whether the activities were performed during the 

financial year 2023 (2022).

The other assurance services rendered by KPMG in 2023 mainly relate to a review engagement. KPMG did provide 

permitted non-assurance services related to regulatory filings, agreed-upon procedures on certain information for the 

(external) pension fund and their auditor. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

101  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements – Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

30 Events after the balance sheet date 
On 13 February 2024, DSM-Firmenich AG completed the voluntary tender offer of 8 January 2024 for 4,163,287 DSM B.V. 

ordinary shares for a total consideration amounting to €400 million. DSM-Firmenich AG now holds 98.5% of the shares of 

DSM B.V. The company will seek to acquire the remaining 1.5% shares through the statutory buy-out procedure at the 

Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal, which started on 17 July 2023. On 14 May 2024, the Enterprise 

Court of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal awarded DSM-Firmenich AG’s claims in the Buy-Out. 

On 15 February 2024, dsm-firmenich announced the initiation of a process to carve-out and separate out the Animal 

Nutrition & Health (ANH) business from the Group. The company believes that the full potential of the ANH business 

could be best realized through a different ownership structure for which all potential separation options will be 

considered. dsm-firmenich would expect to be in a position to separate the business in the course of 2025

On 8 March 2024, DSM successfully sold and transferred its 100% equity interest in the vitamin C plant DSM Jiangshan 

Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Jinjiang, China) to Jingjiang Cosfocus Health Technology Co., Ltd. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

     102 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parent company financial 

statements 

Balance sheet at 31 December of DSM B.V. before profit appropriation 

x € million 

Assets 

Intangible assets 
Financial assets 
Deferred tax assets 
Other deferred items 

Non-current assets 

Receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Current assets 

Total 

Shareholders' equity and liabilities 

Share capital 
Share premium 
Treasury shares 
Legal reserves 
Other reserves, incl. retained earnings 
Undistributed results: 
- Net profit for the year 
- Less: interim dividend 

Shareholders' equity 

Borrowings 
Other non-current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Current liabilities 
Borrowings 
Other current liabilities 

Current liabilities 

Total 

Notes 

2023  

2022  

2 
3 
4 

5 

6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 

6 

7 

7 
8 

469  
13,110  
53  
2  

13,634 

81 
-  

81 

466  
15,634  
52  
1  

16,153  

51  
1  

52  

13,715  

16,205  

261  
469  
-  
778  
4,988  

2,318  
-  

8,814  

2,243  
8  

2,251  

500  
2,150 

2,650 

13,715  

328  
471  
(196) 
829  
7,774  

1,700  
(163) 

10,743  

2,741  
8  

2,749  

-  
2,713  

2,713  

16,205  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these parent company financial statements.

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

103 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parent company financial statements  

Income statement of DSM B.V. 

x € million 
Other income 
Cost of outsourced work and other external costs 
Wages and salaries 
Other movements in the value of intangible assets 
Other operating expense 
Total operating expenses 
Operating profit (loss) 
Financial income 
Financial expense 
Profit (loss) before income tax 
Income tax 
Share of the profit of subsidiaries 
Profit after income tax 
Income from receivables attributable to non-current assets and from 
investments 
Net profit available to equity holders of DSM B.V. 

Notes 
1 

10 

11 
11 

4 
3 

2023  
1  
(1) 
(4) 
-   
(1) 
(6) 
(5) 
83  
(229) 
(151) 
44  
2,425  
2,318  

-   
2,318  

2022  
18  
(21) 
(8) 
-   
(1) 
(30) 
(12) 
7  
(114) 
(119) 
25  
1,794  
1,700  

-   
1,700  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

104 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parent company financial statements – Notes to the parent company financial statements 

Notes to the parent company financial statements 

1 General 
Unless stated otherwise, all amounts are in € million. 

Summary of the accounting policies 
These separate financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Title 9, Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code. The 

accounting policies used are the same as those used in the consolidated EU-IFRS financial statements, in accordance 

with the provisions of article 362-8 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code.  

In these separate financial statements, investments in subsidiaries are accounted for using the net asset value, with 

separate presentation of the goodwill component under intangible fixed assets. Results on transactions involving the 

transfer of assets and liabilities between the Company and its participating interests and mutually between participating 

interests themselves are eliminated to the extent that they can be considered as not realized. For an appropriate 

interpretation of these statutory financial statements, the separate financial statements should be read in conjunction 

with the consolidated financial statements. 

Participating interests with a negative net asset value are valued at nil. This measurement also covers any receivables 

provided to the participating interests that are, in substance, an extension of the net investment. In particular, this relates 

to loans for which settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur in the foreseeable future. A share in the profits of the 

participating interest in subsequent years will only be recognized if and to the extent that the cumulative unrecognized 

share of loss has been absorbed. If the Company fully or partially guarantees the debts of the relevant participating 

interest, or if has the constructive obligation to enable the participating interest to pay its debts (for its share therein), 

then a provision is recognized accordingly to the amount of the estimated payments by the Company on behalf of the 

participating interest. 

Information on the use of financial instruments and on related risks for the group is provided in Note 23 Financial 

instruments and risks to the consolidated financial statements. The Company makes use of the option to eliminate 

intragroup expected credit losses against the book value of loans and receivables from the Company to participating 

interests, instead of elimination against the equity value / net asset value of the participating interests. 

Other income consists mainly of the charge out of the parent company related corporate overhead and services to the 

group companies, which is fully realized in the Netherlands. 

Statutory and fiscal seat 
The entity Koninklijke DSM N.V. changed its legal form to DSM B.V on 31 May 2023 as a result of the merger with Firmenich 

group. 

The statutory seat of DSM B.V. is Heerlen (Netherlands). A list of DSM B.V.’s participations has been filed with the Chamber 

of Commerce (Netherlands) and is available from the company upon request. DSM is registered in the Dutch Commercial 

Register under number 14022069. 

The company forms a fiscal unity for corporate income tax and VAT purposes together with the group companies in the 

Netherlands. Each of the companies recognizes the portion of corporate income tax that the relevant company would 

owe as an independent tax payer, taking into account tax liabilities applicable to the company, as well as the tax position 

of the fiscal unity. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

105  

 
 
Parent company financial statements – Notes to the parent company financial statements 

2 Intangible assets 
The carrying amount of intangible assets comprises goodwill on the acquisition of the Erber Group in 2020 (€423 

million), Pentapharm in 2007 (€36 million) and Crina in 2006 (€10 million). For full information on these assets including 

the discussion of the related impairment tests, see Note 8 Goodwill and intangible assets to the consolidated financial 

statements. 

Intangible assets of DSM B.V. 

Balance at 1 January 2022 
Cost 

Amortization and impairment losses 

Carrying amount 

Changes in carrying amount: 

- Exchange rate difference 

Balance at 31 December 2022 

Cost 

Amortization and impairment losses 

Carrying amount 

Changes in carrying amount: 

- Exchange rate difference 

Balance at 31 December 2023 

Cost 

Amortization and impairment losses 

Carrying amount 

Total 

469  

5  

464  

2  

471  

5  

466  

3  

475  

6  

469  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

106  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parent company financial statements – Notes to the parent company financial statements 

3 Financial assets 

 Share in 
Subsidiaries  

Balance at 1 January 2022 

13,784  

 Other 
 participating 
 interests  
5  

 Receivables  

 Total  

-   

13,789  

Changes: 

- Share in profit 
- Dividend received 
- Disposal of subsidiaries 
- Net actuarial gains/(losses) 
- Change in Fair value reserve 
- Change in Hedging reserve 
- Exchange differences 
- Intra-group transfers 
- Other 
Balance at 31 December 2022 

Changes: 

- Share in profit 
- Capital payments 
- Dividend received 
- Disposal of subsidiaries 
- Net actuarial gains/(losses) 
- Change in Fair value reserve 
- Change in Hedging reserve 
- Exchange differences 
- Intra-group transfers 
- Transfer 
- Other 

Balance at 31 December 2023 

1,794  
(99) 
(74) 
(3) 
(62) 
22  
272  
-   
(7) 
15,627  

2,425  
1,089  
(5,540) 
(411) 
(25) 
(34) 
  26  
(87)  
-   
-   
(3) 

13,067 

-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
2  
7  

-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
(8) 
-   
-   
-   
44  
-   

43  

-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   

-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   
-   

-   

-   

1,794  
(99) 
(74) 
(3) 
(62) 
22  
272  
-   
(5) 
15,634  

2,425  
1,089  
(5,540) 
(411) 
(25) 
(42) 
26 
(87)  
-   
44  
(3) 

13,110  

The disposal of subsidiaries relates to the divestment of the DSM Engineering Materials business. The dividend received 

mainly relates to the proceeds of the disposal.  

A list of DSM participations can be downloaded from the company website. 

4 Deferred tax assets and income tax 
The deferred tax asset of €53 million (2022: €52 million) relates to net operating losses and temporary differences in the 

Dutch fiscal unity. The effective tax rate in 2023 was 29% (2022: 21%). 

The variation in the effective tax rate arises due to changes in the result in combination with among others changes in tax 

exempt income, tax positions and non-deductible expenses.  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

107  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parent company financial statements – Notes to the parent company financial statements 

5 Receivables 

Receivables from subsidiaries 
Other receivables 

Total 

2023 

2022 

75 
6 

81 

13 
38 

51 

The carrying values of the receivables are a reasonable approximation of their respective fair values, given the short 

maturities of the positions and the fact that allowances for doubtful debts have been recognized, if necessary. All 

receivables have an estimated maturity shorter than one year. 

The Receivables from subsidiaries of €75 million (2022: €13 million) mainly include receivables relating to the Dutch fiscal 

unity. Other receivables €6 million (2022: €38 million) mainly consist of VAT and other tax receivables and prepaid 

expenses. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

108

Parent company financial statements – Notes to the parent company financial statements 

6 Shareholders’ equity 

Share 
capital 

Share 
prem. 

Treas. 
shares 

Trans- 
lation 
res. 

Capital 
dev. 
costs 

Part. 
inte- 
rest 

Reval. 
reserve 

Hedg. 
reserve 

Fair 
value 
res. 

Share-
based 
comp. 

Undistri
buted 
results 

Ret. 
Earn. 

Legal reserves 

Other reserves 

Total 
share- 
holder 
equity 

328  

471  

(177) 

177

239  

121  

(77)

17  

39  

6,644  

1,536  

9,318  

x € million 
Balance at 31 
December 2021 
Added to other 
reserves 
Net profit 
Dividend 
Reissued shares 
Repurchase of 
shares 
Fair value 
changes of 
derivatives 
Release to 
income 
statement 

Fair value 
changes of other 
financial assets 
Exchange 
differences 
Options and 
performance 
shares granted 
Options and 
performance 
shares 
exercised/cancel
ed  

Transfer to 
retained earnings 
Changes in joint 
ventures and 
associates 
Income tax 
Remeasurement
s of defined 
benefit pension 
plans 

Balance at 31 
December 2022 
. 

Added to other 
reserves 
Net profit 
Dividend 
Reissued shares 
Repurchase of 
shares 
Cancellation of 
shares 
Fair value 
changes of 
derivatives 
Release to 
income 
statement 

Fair value 
changes of other 
financial assets 
Exchange 
differences 
Options and 
performance 
shares granted 

-  
-  
-  
-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  
-  

-  
-  
-  
-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  
-  

-  
-  
-  
-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  
-  
-  
191  

(210) 

-  

-  
-  
-  
-  

-  

-  

-  
-  
-  
-  

-  

-  

-  

(16) 

-

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  
-  

-  

267  

-  

-  

-  

-  
(4)

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

17  

61  

-  
-

-  
-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

328  

471  

(196) 

424 

256  

182  

-  
-  
-  
-  

-  

-  
-  
-  
-  

-  

-  
-  
-  
63  

(256) 

(67) 

(2)

345  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  
-  
-  
-  

-  

-  

-  

-  
-  
-  
-  

-  

-  

-  

6  

-  

-  

(102)

-  

-  

-

-  

-  
-  
-  
-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

-

-  
-  
-  
-  

-  

-  

-

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  
-

-  

-

-  
-  
-  
-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

(29)

29  

-  

(28)

-

(50)

-  
-  

-  
-  

(11) 
(10) 

-  

-  

-  

10  

(33)

(72)

44 

7,802  

1,537  

10,743 

-  
-  
-  
-  

-  

-  

-  

(61) 

-  

-

-

-  
-  
-  
-  

-  

(6) 

53 

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  
(3)

-  
-  
-  
-  

-  

-  

27  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  
-  
-
-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

(37)

-  

-

-  
-  
-  
-

-  

-  

-  

-

-  

34 

-  
-  
-  
-

-  

-

-  

-  

-

-  

1,536  
-  
(296) 
(50)

(1,536) 
1,700  
(163) 
-

-  
1,700  
(459) 
141

-  

(210) 

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-

-  

-  

-

-
-

-

(6) 

37  

(61) 

267  

34  

-  

-  

(11) 
(17) 

10 

(256) 

-  

27  

6  

(37)

(103)

23  

109

1,537  
-  
(3,935)
(39) 

(1,537) 
2,318 
-
-

-  
2,318 
(3,935)
24 

-  

(276)

-  

-  

-  

(1) 

-  

-  

-  

-  

-

-

23 

-  

-  

Parent company financial statements – Notes to the parent company financial statements 

Share 
capital 

Share 
prem. 

Treas. 
shares 

Trans- 
lation 
res. 

Capital 
dev. 
costs 

Part. 
inte- 
rest 

Reval. 
reserve 

Hedg. 
reserve 

Fair 
value 
res. 

Share-
based 
comp. 

Undistri
buted 
results 

Ret. 
Earn. 

Legal reserves 

Other reserves 

Total 
share- 
holder 
equity 

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

(23) 

23  

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   
-   

-   
-   

-   

-   

-   
-   

-   
-   

44  

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

(17) 

37  

-   
-   

-   
-   

-   
(1) 

-   
-   

-   
-   

-   
-   

-   
-   

-   
-   

-   

-   

-   
-   

-   
-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

44  

-   

(5) 

-   

(15) 

-   

-   

-   
(1) 

-   
-   

-   
-   

-   
-   

-   
-   

-   
-   

(9) 
9  

(34) 
(4) 

-   
-   

-   
-   

(9) 
7  

(34) 
(4) 

261  

469  

-   

327  

239  

219  

-   

(7) 

(114) 

44  

5,058  

2,318  

8,814  

x € million 
Options and 
performance 
shares 
exercised/cancel
ed   

Transfer to other 
participating 
interests 

Transfer to 
retained earnings 
Changes in joint 
ventures and 
associates 
Income tax 
Remeasurement
s of defined 
benefit pension 
plans 
Other 

Balance at 31 
December 2023 

For details see the consolidated statement of changes in Note 16 Equity to the consolidated financial statements. 

Legal reserves 
In Shareholders’ equity, a total amount of €778 million (2022: €829 million) is included for legal reserves required by 

Dutch law. The translation reserve relates to exchange gains and losses arising from the translation of the functional 

currency of foreign operations to the reporting currency of  DSM B.V. Further, a legal reserve is recorded for capitalized 

development costs. The legal reserve for participating interests is recorded to the extent that there are limitations for  

DSM B.V. to arrange profit distributions from its participating interests. The hedging reserve relates to cash flow hedge 

accounting. The negative hedge reserve of -€7 million (2022: -€33 million) as part of the legal reserve should be 

deducted from the freely distributable reserve. In addition, a revaluation reserve has been included for fair value changes 

of unquoted equity instruments of participating interests with no frequent notations owned by DSM; debit balances are 

recorded as part of Other reserves, which are considered freely distributable reserves.  

Other reserves 
The Other reserves comprise a Fair value reserve for fair value changes of unquoted equity instruments of participating 

interests with frequent notations, debit balances of the legal reserve for fair value changes of unquoted equity 

instruments of participating interests owned by DSM, and a Reserve for share-based compensation. 

In the ‘Consolidated financial statements’, the Other reserves consist of the Translation reserve, Fair value reserve, 

Hedging reserve and Reserve for share-based compensation. See Note 16 Equity to the consolidated financial 

statements. 

Profit appropriation 
According to article 23 of the Articles of Association of DSM B.V. and with the approval of the Supervisory Board, every 

year the Managing Board determines the portion of the net profit to be appropriated to the reserves. For the year 2023, 

the net profit is €2,318million (2022: €1,700 million) and the amount to be appropriated to the reserves has been 

established at €1,645 million (2022: €1, 533 million).  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

110 

 
 
 
Parent company financial statements – Notes to the parent company financial statements 

The remaining undistributed profit of €673 million (2022: €161 million after distribution of dividends on the Cumulative 

Preference Shares A) will be put at the disposal of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in accordance with the 

provisions of Article 32, section 5 of the Articles of Association. 

The Managing Board proposes to add the remaining undistributed profit to the reserves (2022: dividend on ordinary 

shares of €0.93 per share). No interim dividend for the year 2023 was paid. 

If the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders decides in accordance with the proposal, the net profit will be 

appropriated as follows. 

in € million 

Net profit for the year 

Profit appropriation: 
- To be added to the reserves 
- Dividend on Cumulative Preference Shares A 
- Interim dividend on ordinary shares 
- Final dividend distributable on ordinary shares 

7 Borrowings 

Bonds 

Total 

2023  

2,318  

2,318  
-   
-   
-   

2022  

1,700  

1,533  
6  
161  
-   

2023 

Total 

2,743  

2,743  

Of which 
current 
500  

500  

2022 

Total 

2,741  

2,741  

Of which 
current 
-   

-   

At 31 December 2023, there were five bonds (€2,743 million, maturing in 2024, 2025, 2026 and from 2026 through 2032). 

The repayment schedule for borrowings is as follows. 

Borrowings by maturity 

2024 
2025 and 2026 
After 2026 

Total 

2023  

500  
1,249  
994  

2,743  

2022  

500  
1,248  
993  

2,741  

In agreements governing loans with a residual amount at year-end 2023 of €2,743 million (31 December 2022: €2,741 

million), clauses have been included which restrict the provision of security. More information on borrowings is provided 
in Note 19 Borrowings to the consolidated financial statements. 

8 Other current liabilities 

Liabilities to subsidiaries 
Other liabilities 

Total 

2023  

2,109  
41  

2,150  

2022  

2,691  
22  

2,713  

The Liabilities to subsidiaries concern mainly the current account toward the DSM internal financing company. These 

liabilities carry a short-term maturity and are interest-bearing. The decrease of this current account in 2023 is mainly 

caused by changing financing needs.  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Parent company financial statements – Notes to the parent company financial statements 

The carrying values of the recorded liabilities are a reasonable approximation of their respective fair values, given the 

short maturities of the positions. All liabilities have an estimated maturity shorter than one year. 

9 Contingent liabilities 
Guarantee obligations on behalf of affiliated companies and third parties amounted to €569 million (31 December 2022: 

€591 million). DSM B.V. has declared in writing that it accepts several liabilities for debts arising from acts in law of a 

number of consolidated companies (including relating to the Dutch fiscal unity for income tax and VAT). These debts are 

included in the consolidated balance sheet. 

10 Personnel 
During the 2023 financial year, the number of staff employed by DSM B.V. amounted to 2 employees from 1 January until 

18 April and no employees from 18 April till the end of the year (full year 2022: 2 employees). Both were employed inside 

the Netherlands.  

11 Financial income and expense 
Financial income of €83 million (2022: €7 million) consists of interest income on outstanding in-house cash balances; 

financial expense of €229 million (2022: €114 million) mainly consists of the interest expense on debit in-house cash 

balances (€176 million) and interest costs on bonds issued and the counterpart of the net investment hedge (€53 

million). See also Note 19 Borrowings and Note 23 Financial instruments and risks to the consolidated financial 

statements. 

12 Remuneration of key personnel  

Introduction  
The remuneration of key personnel concerns the Supervisory Board and the Executive Committee (which includes the 

Managing Board) of Koninklijke DSM N.V., renamed DSM B.V.   

On April 18, 2023, DSM-Firmenich AG, the parent company of the merger combination DSM and Firmenich, was listed on 

Euronext Amsterdam. As a result, the expenses reported herein concern two periods. The first period is about the 

remuneration awarded to the members of the Supervisory Board and the Executive Committee (including the Managing 

Board) of Royal DSM, insofar as their appointment in such capacity relates to the period from 1 January 2023 until 18 April 

2023. The second period concerns the remuneration awarded to the members of the Supervisory Board and the 

Managing Board DSM B.V., insofar as their appointment in such capacity relates to the period from 18 April 2023 until 31 

December 2023. 

Remuneration of members of the Supervisory Board, Managing Board and Executive Committee 
appointed in that capacity for the period 1 January 2023 until 18 April 2023  
The remuneration policy for the Supervisory Board and the Managing Board as approved by the 2019 Annual General 

Meeting of DSM applied.  

The remuneration awarded to members of the Supervisory Board, the Executive Committee (that includes the Managing 

Board) of DSM, insofar as their appointment in such capacity relates to the period from 1 January 2023 until 18 April 2023 

is laid out in the below table. It concerns: 

• 

The remuneration (for the period between 1 January until 18 April 2023) of the members of the Supervisory Board of 

DSM who transferred to the Board of Directors of DSM-Firmenich AG on 18 April 2023. The 2023 remuneration 

awarded by DSM-Firmenich AG for the period after 18 April 2023 is accounted for in the remuneration report 

included in the Integrated Annual Report of DSM-Firmenich AG 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

112 

 
 
 
Parent company financial statements – Notes to the parent company financial statements 

• 

• 

• 

The remuneration (for the period between 1 January and 18 April 2023) of the members of the Managing Board and 

Executive Committee of DSM who transferred to the Executive Committee of DSM-Firmenich AG on 18 April 2023. 

The 2023 remuneration awarded by DSM-Firmenich AG for the period after 18 April 2023 is accounted for in the 

remuneration report included in the Integrated Annual Report of DSM-Firmenich AG 

The remuneration (for the period between 1 January and 18 April 2023) for members of the Executive Committee of 

DSM who remained employed by DSM-Firmenich AG in another capacity and who no longer meet the criteria of key 

personnel as of 18 April 2023  

Remuneration expenses incurred in financial year 2023 for members of the Supervisory Board or the Executive 

Committee of DSM who were not appointed as a member of the Board of Directors or Executive Committee DSM-

Firmenich AG nor in another capacity and who left the organization after and due to the merger.  

The total remuneration expenses incurred, amount to €22.8 million (2022: €25.5 million). Comparing the remuneration 

expenses reported for 2023 with those of 2022 can only be done with extreme caution, because the expenses for 2023 

are characterized by the special circumstance of the merger and contain several one-off items. 

Total remuneration expenses awarded to members of the Supervisory Board, Managing Board and 
Executive Committee of DSM appointed in that capacity for the period 1 January 2023 until 18 April 2023 
2022  

2023  

Base salary/Supervisory Board fees 
Pension contributions 
Short-Term Incentive¹ 
Share-based compensation² 
Other³ 

2,391  
471  
869  
2,518  
16,562  

6,521  
1,197  
3,399  
7,778  
6,612  

Total remuneration 
Of which Managing Board remuneration 
Of which Supervisory Board remuneration 
1  Short-Term Incentive based on at-target level minus the weight of EBITDA target pro-rated for the period 1 January to 1 April 2023 or at target pay-out 

22,811  
3,613  
243  

25,507  
6,717  
844  

over the period of employment in 2023 

2  Represents the expenses of Performance Share Units (PSUs) awarded according to IFRS rules. These costs are considered over the vesting period and 

therefore cover several years 

3 

Includes: 

(i)  Settlement of the STI Deferral and Matching scheme (€4.6m) and special bonus payments (€3.5m) as included in the Offering Circular (issued 22 

November 2022) related to the merger  

(ii)  Severance payments for ExCo members that left the Company because of the merger (€1.8m); payments in lieu of notice (€1.3m) a nd obligations 

following Article 32bb of the Dutch Wage Tax Act (1964) (€2.2m) 

(iii)  Social security contributions (€0.6m) and contractual items related to International Assignment arrangements (€1.6m) 
(iv)  Other (€1.0m) 

Remuneration members Supervisory Board and Managing Board appointed in that capacity for the 
period 18 April 2023 until 31 December 2023  
No remuneration was awarded to members of the Supervisory Board and the Managing Board of DSM B.V. appointed in 
that capacity for the period from 18 April 2023 to 31 December 2023.  

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Parent company financial statements – Notes to the parent company financial statements 

Maastricht, 14 May 2024 

Maastricht, 14 May 2024 

Managing Board, 

Supervisory Board, 

Dimitri de Vreeze, CEO 

Thomas Leysen, Chair 

Ralf Schmeitz, CFO 

John Ramsay, Deputy Chair 

Corien Wortmann 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

114

OTHER INFORMATION 

Independent auditor’s report  

To: the General Meeting of Shareholders and the Supervisory Board of DSM B.V. 

Report on the audit of the financial statements 2023 included in 
the annual report  

Our opinion 
In our opinion: 

• 

• 

the accompanying consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of DSM B.V. as 

at 31 December 2023 and of its result and its cash flows for the year then ended, in accordance with International 

Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) as adopted by the European Union (EU-IFRS) and with Part 9 of Book 2 of the 

Dutch Civil Code. 

the accompanying parent company financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of DSM B.V. 

as at 31 December 2023 and of its result for the year then ended in accordance with Part 9 of Book 2 of the Dutch 

Civil Code. 

What we have audited 
We have audited the financial statements 2023 of DSM B.V. (the ‘Company’ or ‘DSM’) based in Heerlen. The financial 

statements include the consolidated financial statements and the parent company financial statements. 

The consolidated financial statements comprise:  

1. 
2. 

3. 

the consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2023; 

the following consolidated statements for 2023: the income statement, the statements of comprehensive income 

and changes in equity, and the cash flow statement; and 

the notes comprising group material accounting policies and other explanatory information.  

The company financial statements comprise: 

1. 
2. 
3. 

the parent company balance sheet as 31 December 2023; 

the parent company income statement for 2023; and 

the notes comprising a summary of the accounting policies and other explanatory information.

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Independent auditor’s report 

Basis for our opinion 
We conducted our audit in accordance with Dutch law, including the Dutch Standards on Auditing. Our responsibilities 

under those standards are further described in the ‘Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements’ section 

of our report. 

We are independent of DSM in accordance with the ‘Verordening inzake de onafhankelijkheid van accountants bij 

assurance-opdrachten’ (ViO, Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, a regulation with respect to independence) 

and other relevant independence regulations in the Netherlands. Furthermore, we have complied with the ‘Verordening 

gedrags- en beroepsregels accountants’ (VGBA, Dutch Code of Ethics).  

We designed our audit procedures in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole and in forming our 

opinion thereon. The information in respect of going concern, fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, 

climate and the key audit matters was addressed in this context, and we do not provide a separate opinion or conclusion 

on these matters. 

We believe the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.  

Information in support of our opinion 

Summary 
Materiality  

Materiality of EUR 30 million 

3.1% of the 5-years’ averaged earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization 

Group audit 

Audit coverage of 77% of total assets 

Audit coverage of 75% of revenue 

Risk of material misstatements related to Fraud, NOCLAR, Going concern and Climate risks 

Fraud risks: presumed risk of management override of controls, presumed risk of revenue recognition and 

goodwill impairment testing Animal Nutrition & Health identified and further described in the section ‘Audit 

response to the risk of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations’.  

Non-compliance with laws and regulations (NOCLAR) risks: no reportable risk of material misstatements 

related to NOCLAR risks identified.  

Going concern risks: no going concern risks identified. 

Climate-related risks: We have considered the impact of climate-related risks on the financial statements 

and described our approach and observations in the section ‘Audit response to climate-related risks’. 

Key audit matters 

Goodwill impairment testing Animal Nutrition & Health 

Vitamin transformation program 

Materiality 
Based on our professional judgement we determined the materiality for the financial statements as a whole at EUR 30 

million (2022: EUR 32.5 million). The materiality is determined with reference to the 5-years’ averaged earnings before 

interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (‘EBITDA’) to reflect the volatility in the vitamins market and the significant 

impairments and merger-related costs in 2023. Materiality as a percentage of the 5-years’ averaged EBITDA is 3.1%. 

Compared to the previous year, we have changed the benchmark for determining materiality from profit before income 

tax to EBITDA. We consider EBITDA a more representative metric to assess the Company’s performance than profit 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Independent auditor’s report 

before income tax expense. We have also taken into account misstatements and/or possible misstatements that in our 

opinion are material for the users of the financial statements for qualitative reasons.  

We agreed with the Supervisory Board that misstatements identified during our audit in excess of EUR 1.5 million would 

be reported to them, as well as smaller misstatements that in our view must be reported on qualitative grounds. 

Scope of the group audit 
DSM is at the head of a group of components. The financial information of this group is included in the financial 

statements of DSM. 

In our group audit we identified significant components. These are components that are (i) of  individual financial 

significance to the group, or (ii) that, due to their specific nature or circumstances, are likely to include significant risks of 

material misstatement to the group financial statements. We identified five significant components in Switzerland, the 

Netherlands, the United States and Brazil. 

We have: 

• 

• 

• 

performed audit procedures at group level in respect of the parent entity, the group consolidation, the financial 

statement disclosures, treasury, shared service center activities and a number of more complex accounting and 

valuation items. This included procedures performed regarding the annual goodwill impairment tests, other asset 

impairment (trigger) assessments, income tax for the Dutch fiscal unities, acquisitions of subsidiaries and 

accounting for divestments. 

used the work of local KPMG auditors (‘component auditors’) when auditing reporting packages or performing 

specified audit procedures at component level.  

for the residual population we performed analytical procedures in order to corroborate that our scoping remained 

appropriate throughout the audit. 

By performing the procedures mentioned above at components, together with additional procedures at group level, we 

have been able to obtain sufficient and appropriate audit evidence about the group’s financial information to provide an 

opinion about the financial statements. 

Our procedures as described above can be summarized as follows: 

66% 

Audit of the complete   
reporting package 

56% 

Audit of the complete  
reporting package 

Total assets 

11% 

Specified audit procedures 

Revenue 

19% 

Specified audit procedures 

23% 

Covered by additional 
procedures performed at group 
level 

25% 

Covered by additional 
procedures performed at group 
level 

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Independent auditor’s report 

Audit response to the risk of fraud and non-compliance with laws and 
regulations 
As part of our audit, we have gained insights into DSM and its business environment and the DSM’s risk management in 

relation to fraud and non-compliance. Our procedures included, among other things, assessing the code of business 

ethics, alert cases (whistleblowing procedures), compliance policies and its procedures to investigate indications of 

possible fraud and non-compliance. Furthermore, we performed relevant inquiries with the Managing Board, Supervisory 

Board and other relevant functions, such as Corporate Operational Audit department, Legal Counsel and Fraud 

Committee and evaluated correspondence with relevant supervisory authorities and regulators. We have also 

incorporated elements of unpredictability in our audit, such as: changes in the scope of the group audit and specific risk 

assessment procedures on possible non-compliance with local laws and regulations within the group, and involved 

forensic specialists in our audit procedures.  

As a result from our risk assessment, we identified the following laws and regulations as those most likely to have a 

material effect on the financial statements in case of non-compliance:  

•  Health and safety regulation (reflecting the nature of DSM’s production and distribution processes);  
• 

Environmental regulation (reflecting the environmental clean-up responsibilities related to mainly DSM’s former 

production and distribution processes); 

•  Competition legislation (reflecting DSM’s operations across the world and potential investigations by national 

competition authorities); 

•  Consumer product law relating to product safety (reflecting the nature of DSM’s diverse product base). 
•  Anti-bribery and corruption (reflecting DSM’s significant operations in jurisdictions with high perceived levels of 

public sector corruption) 

Based on the above and on the auditing standards, we identified the following fraud risks that are relevant to our audit, 

including the relevant presumed risks laid down in the auditing standards, and responded as follows: 

Management override of controls (a presumed risk) 
Risk:  

-  Management is in a unique position to manipulate accounting records and prepare fraudulent financial 

statements by overriding controls that otherwise appear to be operating effectively. 

Responses:  

-  We evaluated the design and the implementation of internal controls that mitigate fraud risks, such as controls 

related to journal entries.  

-  We performed a data analysis of high-risk journal entries and evaluated key estimates and judgments for bias by 

management, including retrospective reviews of prior years’ estimates such as with respect to impairment 

testing of goodwill, acquisition-related and internally generated intangibles and employee benefit liabilities. 

Where we identified instances of unexpected journal entries or other risks through our data analytics, we 

performed additional audit procedures to address each identified risk, including testing of transactions back to 

source information. 

Revenue recognition (a presumed risk)  
Risk:  

-  We identified a fraud risk in relation to the recognition of revenue of goods sold. This risk inherently includes the 

fraud risk that management deliberately overstates revenue in the cut-off period, as management may feel 

pressure to achieve planned results for the current year. 

Responses:  

-  We evaluated the design and the implementation of internal controls that mitigate fraud risks with respect to 

revenue recognition. 

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Independent auditor’s report 

- 

- 

- 

In June 2023, dsm-firmenich AG issued a trading update in which it lowered the full year 2023 outlook. As DSM 

forms a significant part of the dsm-firmenich group, we assessed the effect thereof on our fraud risk 

assessment, and concluded to focus the fraud risk with respect to revenue recognition specifically to sales cut-

off before year-end. This was also confirmed by the risk assessment of our component auditors based on an 

assessment of local facts and circumstances. 

To assess whether revenue was recognized in the appropriate period, for selected sales transactions recognized 

before year-end we inspected agreements with the customers and shipping documents.  

Further, we inspected selected credit notes issued before year-end to assess whether revenue was recognized 

appropriately. 

-  We performed journal entry testing, specifically taking into account high risk criteria in relation to revenues. 

Our audit procedures did not reveal indications and/or reasonable suspicion of fraud and non-compliance that are 

considered material for our audit. Our evaluation of procedures performed related to fraud did not result in a key audit 

matter.  

We communicated our risk assessment, audit responses and results to the Managing Board and the Supervisory Board. 

Our audit procedures did not reveal indications and/or reasonable suspicion of fraud and non-compliance that are 

considered material for our audit. 

Audit response to going concern 
The managing board has performed its going concern assessment and has not identified any going concern risks. To 

assess the management board’s assessment, we have performed, among other things, the following procedures: 

•  we considered whether the Managing Board’s assessment of the going concern risks includes all relevant 

information of which we are aware as a result of our audit; 

•  we inspected the financing agreements for terms or conditions that could lead to significant going concern risks; 
•  we analyzed the operating results forecast and the related cash flows compared to the actual results of 2023, 

developments in the business sector, macro-economic developments impacting amongst others vitamins prices 
and any information of which we are aware as a result of our audit; 

•  we analyzed the company’s financial position as at year-end and compared it to the previous financial year in 

terms of indicators that could identify significant going concern risks. 

The outcome of our risk assessment procedures did not give reason to perform additional audit procedures on 

management’s going concern assessment. 

Audit response to climate-related risks 
Management prepared the financial statements, including considering whether the implications from climate-related 

risks and commitments have been appropriately accounted for and disclosed, in accordance with the applicable 

financial reporting framework. The climate-related risks are managed by DSM as part of its regular risk management 

process and as such are taken into account in the preparation of the financial statements. 

As part of our audit we performed a risk assessment of the impact of climate-related risk and the commitments and 

ambitions made by DSM in respect of climate change on the 2023 financial statements and our audit approach. Based on 

the procedures performed we considered whether there is a risk of material misstatement specific to climate relative to 

the going concern assumption and valuation of long-lived assets. Considering the risk assessment work performed, we 

did not identify a risk of material misstatement specific to climate and thus no further audit response was considered 

necessary. 

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Independent auditor’s report 

Our key audit matters 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the 

financial statements. We have communicated the key audit matters to the Supervisory Board. The key audit matters are 

not a comprehensive reflection of all matters discussed. 

Compared to last year the key audit matter with respect to the transformation of the DSM businesses and divestment of 

Protective Materials business are not included, as these specifically relate to the financial year 2022 and previous years. 

The announced divestment of Engineering Materials business is also not included as a key audit matter considering the 

measurement and presentation was already assessed in previous year and the level of subjectivity is considered 

relatively limited. Furthermore, compared to last year the key audit matter with respect to the goodwill impairment 

testing Animal Nutrition & Health and the vitamins transformation have been added as both were related to 2023 events 

which were most significant to our audit. 

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Independent auditor’s report 

Goodwill impairment testing Animal Nutrition & Health 

Description 
As of 31 December 2023, the consolidated financial statements included goodwill amounting to EUR 3,040 million of 

which EUR 983 million is allocated to the Animal Nutrition and Health (‘ANH’) cash generating unit.  

Goodwill is assessed for impairment by management at least annually by determining the recoverable amount (the 

higher of its value in use and fair value less costs of disposal), which is then compared to the carrying amount.  

Management applies judgment in assessing the cash flow projections of the (groups of) cash generating units at which 

level goodwill is allocated and determining the relevant valuation assumptions.  

Valuation of goodwill is a key audit matter because the impairment test process is complex. It involves a high degree 

of management judgment and assumptions, such as cash flow forecasts, growth rates and discount rates of the CGU, 

being used in the Group’s impairment tests.  

As disclosed in note 30 to the financial statements on 15 February 2024, dsm-firmenich AG announced to separate 

business unit Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) from the Group. Management considered the effects of the decision in 

the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. 

Our response 
We obtained and documented our understanding of the impairment testing process, the sensitivity analysis and 

tested the design and implementation of the relevant controls therein.  

We assessed the determination of the CGUs taking into account the IFRS accounting standards and our knowledge of 

the organisation, structure and governance of the DSM Group.  

We assessed the Group’s ability to accurately prepare cash flow projections for their CGUs by comparing the actual 

financial performance to the projections made earlier.   

We evaluated the accuracy of impairment test, the reasonableness of the key assumptions used to determine the 

recoverable amounts – including long term growth rates and discount rates based on our understanding of the related 

CGUs’ cash flow projections – and the methodology used by management to prepare its cash flow forecasts.  

We involved our in-house valuation specialists with specialized skills and knowledge who assisted in assessing the 

reasonableness of the discount rates and long term growth rates through testing the source information underlying 

their determination, and in developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to the discount and 

long term growth rates applied by management.   

We inquired and challenged BU management on their initiatives to realize sales and margin growth and we have 

spoken with the Vitamins Transformation program director. 

We also considered the adequacy of the disclosures on impairment testing and sensitivity tests in the consolidated 

financial statements.  

We have also considered the accuracy of the disclosure regarding the ANH separation. 

Our observation 
We consider that the outcome of management’s impairment testing of the ANH cash generating unit is appropriate 
and adequately disclosed in Note 8 to the financial statements. 

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Independent auditor’s report 

Vitamins transformation program 

Description 
During 2023 the Group decided to implement a vitamins transformation program to enable acceleration of strategic 

actions. This company-wide program is designed to improve the profitability of its vitamin activities and structurally 

reduce exposure to volatility from price fluctuations.  

The plan included a restructuring of the vitamin asset footprint resulting in the closure of the vitamin B6 plant in 

Xinghuo (China) and the termination of vitamin C production in the plant in Jiangshan (China).  

As the company has ceased to use these plants. management prepared an impairment assessment for the plants and 

related assets on a stand-alone basis. Based on the impairment assessment, losses for the affected property, plant 

and equipment were recognized in the amount of EUR 106 million for the vitamin B6 Xinghuo plant respectively EUR 

125 million for the vitamin C Jiangshan plant. Furthermore, a liability was recognized for remaining contractual 

obligations.  

As per 31 December 2023 the assets and liabilities related to the vitamin C business in Jiangshan are classified as held 

for sale.  

Given the financial impact and the non-recurring nature of these events, the accounting for these impairments is 
significant to our audit of the financial statements. 

Our response 
We inquired management and inspected relevant documentation to gain an understanding of the vitamins 

transformation program. Further, we evaluated management’s assessment of impairment indicators as a result of the 

restructuring of the vitamins assets footprint for the Xinghuo and Jiangshan plants in China and tested the design and 

implementation of the relevant controls therein.  

As a result of the identified impairment indicators, the management has prepared impairment tests. We assessed the 

results of management’s impairment tests and evaluated the appropriateness of the recoverable amount determined 

for both plants.   

For both plants we inspected underlying documentation, amongst others related to internal and external 

communication of the closure and applicable contractual obligations.  

In addition for the closure of the Xinghuo vitamin B6 plant, we performed a site visit and observed that the plant is no 

longer in use. We enquired local employees and management about future plans and relevant government regulations.  

We also considered the adequacy of the disclosures on the impairments in the consolidated financial statements. 

Our observation 
We consider that the impairments are appropriately reflected in the financial statements and adequately disclosed in 
Note 9 to the financial statements  

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Independent auditor’s report 

Report on the other information included in the annual report  
In addition to the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon, the annual report contains other information. 

Based on the following procedures performed, we conclude that the other information: 

• 
• 

is consistent with the financial statements and does not contain material misstatements; and 
contains the information as required by Part 9 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code for the management report and 
other information. 

We have read the other information. Based on our knowledge and understanding obtained through our audit of the 

financial statements or otherwise, we have considered whether the other information contains material misstatements.  

By performing these procedures, we comply with the requirements of Part 9 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code and the 

Dutch Standard 720. The scope of the procedures performed is less than the scope of those performed in our audit of 

the financial statements.  

The Managing Board is responsible for the preparation of the other information, including the information as required by 

Part 9 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code. 

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements 

Engagement 
We were initially appointed by the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders as auditor of DSM on 7 May 2014 (at that time 

Royal DSM N.V.), as of the audit for the year 2015 and have operated as statutory auditor ever since that financial year. 

No prohibited non-audit services 
We have not provided prohibited non-audit services as referred to in Article 5(1) of the EU Regulation on specific 

requirements regarding statutory audits of public-interest entities. 

Description of responsibilities regarding the financial statements 

Responsibilities of the Managing Board and the Supervisory Board for the 
financial statements 
The Managing Board is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance 

with EU-IFRS and Part 9 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code. Furthermore, the Managing Board is responsible for such 

internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial statements that are 

free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In that respect the Managing Board, under supervision of 

the Supervisory Board, is responsible for the prevention and detection of fraud and non-compliance with laws and 

regulations, including determining measures to resolve the consequences of it and to prevent recurrence. 

As part of the preparation of the financial statements, the Managing Board is responsible for assessing DSM’s ability to 

continue as a going concern. Based on the financial reporting frameworks mentioned, the Managing Board should prepare 

the financial statements using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Managing Board either intends to 

liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so. The Managing Board should 

disclose events and circumstances that may cast significant doubt on the company’s ability to continue as a going 

concern in the financial statements.   

The Supervisory Board is responsible for overseeing the DSM’s financial reporting process. 

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Independent auditor’s report 

Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 
Our objective is to plan and perform the audit engagement in a manner that allows us to obtain sufficient and 

appropriate audit evidence for our opinion.  

Our audit has been performed with a high, but not absolute, level of assurance, which means we may not detect all 

material errors and fraud during our audit. 

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could 

reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

The materiality affects the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures and the evaluation of the effect of identified 

misstatements on our opinion.  

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is included in appendix of this 

auditor's report. This description forms part of our auditor’s report. 

Amstelveen, 14 May 2024 

KPMG Accountants N.V. 

P. J. Groenland – van der Linden RA 

Appendix:  
Description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 

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Independent auditor’s report 

Appendix 

Description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 
We have exercised professional judgement and have maintained professional scepticism throughout the audit, in 

accordance with Dutch Standards on Auditing, ethical requirements and independence requirements. Our audit included 

among others: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or 
error, designing and performing audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtaining audit evidence that is 
sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement 
resulting from fraud is higher than the risk resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional 
omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control; 
obtaining an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are 
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the 
DSM’s internal control; 
evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and 
related disclosures made by the Managing Board; 
concluding on the appropriateness of the Managing Board’s use of the going concern basis of accounting, and 
based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that 
may cast significant doubt on DSM’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material 
uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the 
financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on 
the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause 
a company to cease to continue as a going concern; 
evaluating the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures; 
and 
evaluating whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that 
achieves fair presentation. 

We are solely responsible for the opinion and therefore responsible to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence 

regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the group to express an opinion on the 

financial statements. In this respect we are also responsible for directing, supervising and performing the group audit.  

We communicate with the Supervisory Board regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit 

and significant audit findings, including any significant findings in internal control that we identify during our audit. In this 

respect we also submit an additional report to the audit committee in accordance with Article 11 of the EU Regulation on 

specific requirements regarding statutory audits of public-interest entities. The information included in this additional 

report is consistent with our audit opinion in this auditor’s report. 

We provide the Supervisory Board with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding 

independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to 

bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards. 

From the matters communicated with the Supervisory Board, we determine the key audit matters: those matters that 

were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report 

unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, not 

communicating the matter is in the public interest. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

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Other information – Special statutory rights 

Special statutory rights 

DSM does not hold any special statutory rights. Together with DSM B.V.’s conversion into a Dutch private limited liability 

company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid), the Articles of Association of the Company were 

amended. By virtue of the amended Articles of Association, Cumulative Preference Shares B can no longer be issued. The 

DSM Preference Shares Foundation that had the right to acquire such Preference Shares (call option), ceased to exist on 

July 17, 2023. 

DSM Integrated Annual Report 2023 

126