DSM & Neste Forge Strategic Alliance to Produce High‑Performance, Sustainable Plastics

The Netherlands‑based Royal DSM and Finland’s Neste have announced a strategic partnership aimed at producing high‑performance plastics from sustainable feedstock, advancing the industry’s shift toward a circular economy.

Central to this collaboration is DSM Engineering Materials (U.S. office, Troy, Mich.), which will begin substituting a substantial portion of the fossil feedstock traditionally used in its high‑performance engineering resins with polymers derived from recycled waste plastics and/or 100 % biobased hydrocarbons. These polymers serve key sectors such as automotive, electronics, and packaging.

In the near term, the partnership targets the replacement of several thousand tons of fossil feedstock in polymer production with alternative, sustainable sources—biobased and waste‑plastic‑derived hydrocarbons.

Neste produces its biobased hydrocarbons exclusively from renewable raw materials, including waste and residue oils and fats. For waste‑plastic feedstock, Neste focuses on plastics that cannot be mechanically recycled and were previously directed to incineration or landfilling.

Because Neste’s products act as a drop‑in replacement for conventional fossil feedstock, they are compatible with existing production lines. This compatibility enables DSM to manufacture more sustainable products without compromising quality or requiring re‑qualification. All chemically recycled and biobased materials in the value chain carry the globally recognized ISCC Plus certification.

“We have a long history of delivering tangible proof points of our commitment to sustainability,” said Shruti Singhal, president of DSM Engineering Materials. “As a next step, we will further reduce our footprint and offer a full alternative range of our existing portfolio based on bio‑ and/or recycled‑based materials by 2030. Together with our upstream partner Neste and other value‑chain partners, we’re ready to drive our industry forward, seize the sustainable opportunities ahead, and deliver on our purpose of creating brighter lives for all.”

Mercedes Alonso, executive v.p. for Neste’s Renewable Polymers and Chemicals, added, “Neste and DSM are frontrunners in providing sustainable solutions to the market. Both companies share an urgent commitment to creating a healthier future for our children. We are thrilled to partner with DSM, accelerating the industry’s transition toward a more sustainable, circular economy. Our 100 % biobased and waste‑plastic‑derived products enable DSM to produce its high‑performance polymers portfolio with a reduced environmental footprint.”