By Fei Thompson, Staff Writer, EMEA News
The collapse of recent global plastics treaty negotiations in Geneva highlights divisions between nations but also presents new opportunities for industry-led progress, according to Fredrik Hjelmqvist, Head of Supply and Commercial Operations at dsm-firmenich.
“The breakdown reflects some of the nations and states having different interests. This also depends on their involvement in the plastic chain,” Hjelmqvist said. “But it also gives an opportunity for other nations and companies to take a step forward.”
He said the outcome underscores the need for companies to continue investing in innovation and localized sustainability initiatives.
For instance, dsm-firmenich has recently expanded its manufacturing footprint in Asia with a new feed additive facility in Jadcherla, near Hyderabad, India. The plant, which became operational in August 2025, is fully owned and operated by dsm-firmenich and forms part of its integrated “Super Site” alongside an existing premix facility. Designed with what dsm-firmenich describes as “scalability and efficiency in mind,” the site will produce mycotoxin risk management solutions.
“This new facility represents a long-term investment in India’s feed and animal nutrition sector,” Hjelmqvist said. “It reflects our confidence in the market’s growth and our commitment to advancing local manufacturing under the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.”
The company is also investing in digital and precision agriculture tools. “Digital, per se, won’t solve your problems,” Hjelmqvist said. “But it allows you to be more precise at the farm level, reducing waste and improving yields.”
Asked why food systems and agricultural supply chains are not more central to plastic policy discussions, he said it “comes down to day-to-day decisions, also what we are doing as consumers,” noting that some sustainability efforts “took a bit of a back seat” during the pandemic.
On microplastics, he said awareness is rising. “It’s good that it gets attention now. People didn’t really know, and now you also see how long-lived it is in nature.”
Hjelmqvist emphasized the importance of consumer behavior in driving environmental change. “It’s predominantly from the consumer side,” he said. “You get that pull effect rather than just the push effect.”
He also challenged the notion that sustainability must come at a higher cost. “Sustainability doesn’t have to be more expensive. Continuous improvement is a great example of how you can remove waste from the process and end up with a more sustainable product at a lower cost.”
When asked which regions show the strongest engagement, Hjelmqvist said Europe remains at the forefront, with other regions following suit. “Because of the ruminants business that we have in Brazil, Argentina and so on, you do have that discussion also on methane emissions,” he added.
