Produce low-carbon vitamin C at scale
dsm-firmenich
Bayer总结
Low-carbon Vitamin C produced using clean energy, process innovation, and verified life-cycle assessment, enabling measurable climate benefits.
Context
As innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty, dsm-firmenich reinvents, manufactures, and combines vital nutrients, flavors, and fragrances for the world’s growing population to thrive. The production of Vitamin C, a critical health ingredient, is traditionally concentrated in coal-powered facilities across Asia, resulting in one of the most carbon-intensive ingredient in the nutrition sector. This dependency contributes significantly to global Scope 3 emissions for downstream companies such as consumer health and pharmaceutical producers.
Recognizing this challenge, dsm-firmenich designated Vitamin C as a priority under its Net Zero 2045 roadmap. The company leveraged its Dalry facility in Scotland to pilot a low-carbon production model integrating renewable energy, process optimization, and responsible sourcing. This approach demonstrates that high-purity, pharmaceutical-grade Vitamin C can be produced with a substantially lower footprint, improving supply chain resilience and supporting customers’ decarbonization goals. The initiative is located in Dalry, North Ayrshire, Scotland.
Solution
The Dalry Vitamin C initiative integrates multiple decarbonization levers:
100% renewable electricity powering the site, with additional energy greening project planned by 2026 to further reduce scope 2 emissions (2).
>90% waste reutilization, minimizing landfill and environmental contamination.
Sustainable raw materials, including GMO-free wheat sourced from Germany and pure Scottish water.
Third-party verified proprietary Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) aligned with ISO 14040/44 standards. Together, it delivers a product with a 49% lower carbon footprint than the main alternatives while maintaining pharmaceutical-grade quality and regulatory compliance.
Dalry Vitamin C sustainability features are transparently shared with customers through Sustainability Imp’Act Card™.
Figure 1: Aerial visual of the Dalry site in North Ayrshire, Scotland
Impact
Sustainability impact
Climate
Significant reduction in carbon emissions across scope 1&2 emissions (clean energy and process optimization) and scope 3 (responsible sourcing of the starting material). 1,000 tons of dsm-firmenich Vitamin C save ~8.5 kilotons CO₂e (= annual carbon sequestration of 140,000 tree seedlings grown for 10 years).
Nature
High waste reutilization (>90%) means minimal waste to land or water, reducing potential soil and groundwater contamination while returning nutrients to nature (via fertilizer use). The use of cleaner energy and processes also lowers emissions that cause acid rain or local air quality issues, thus protecting local ecosystems.
Social
~300 jobs at the Dalry site secured (one of the largest employers in North Ayrshire, Scotland), supporting a region that is among the most economically deprived in Scotland. dsm-firmenich’s strict ethical and safety standards audited by Sedex ensure positive working conditions and responsible business conduct, strengthening social trust in the supply chain.
Business impact
Benefits
Supply chain resilience: Western production reduces geopolitical and tariff risk.
Climate contribution: it enables our customers to reduce scope 3 emissions.
Market differentiation: it supports sustainable product positioning in consumer and pharma markets.
Costs
This initiative is part of dsm-firmenich’s average annual investment of €10-25 mio for the period 2025-2030 (3) aimed at delivering returnsthrough energy savings, avoided carbon costs, future-proof business and enhanced reputation.
Impact beyond sustainability and business
Co-benefits
By eliminating coal-based energy, the project also reduces other air pollutants like particulate matter and smog precursors, a co-benefit for climate and health.
By sharing this case study, dsm-firmenich is helping to catalyze broader supply chain decarbonization.
Implementation
Typical business profile
This approach is most relevant for energy- and process-intensive manufacturers in the chemical, nutrition, or pharmaceutical sectors aiming to decarbonize high-volume production. It suits companies with on-site energy generation, strict quality standards, and complex supply chains where sourcing and processing drive significant Scope 3 emissions.
Approach
Assessment: an interdisciplinary team (R&D, operations, sustainability) conducted the Life Cycle Assessment to map carbon hotspots.
Target setting: goals were defined to lower Dalry’s Vitamin C carbon footprint in line with company Net Zero roadmap.
Execution: key initiatives were then rolled out with project owners and capital funding approval.
Monitoring: progress was tracked against the baseline, with annual carbon footprint recalculations.
Stakeholders involved
Internal: business and sustainability leadership, plant management and operations, sustainability experts (Life Cycle Assessment specialists), finance and procurement.
External: Life Cycle Assessment reviewers, energy and feedstock suppliers.
Key parameters to consider
Data and transparency: collect accurate data, have Life Cycle Assessment in place.
Economic feasibility.
Energy reliability and guaranteed supply.
Quality and regulatory compliance of the Vitamin C.
Implementation and operations tips
Start with science: conduct a detailed footprint analysis to target the right levers.
Engage the whole value chain to amplify the results.
Integrate sustainability into operations rather than treating it as a one-off project.
Secure leadership buy-in.
Commit to transparency and accountability through standards and verifiers (Ecovadis, CDP).
Going Further
Source list