dsm-firmenich unveils Panavora and the business behind the new brand

Until these steps are completed, Animal Nutrition & Health remains part of dsm-firmenich.

Science and data to support production decisions

At the opening of the forum, Ivo Lansbergen, President of Animal Nutrition & Health and CEO-designate of Panavora, joined by video and emphasized that the significance of the moment lay in the work the future company would undertake with its customers. He also highlighted the need for advances to be economically viable for producers and to make affordable protein available to consumers.

In the official statement, Mr Lansbergen outlined the intended direction of the business. “The future of animal nutrition will be shaped by data, science and closer collaboration across the value chain,” he said. “We believe this focused approach will enable us to move faster and create more value together with our customers,” he added.

Fidelis Fru, who leads global business development for Animal Nutrition & Health, illustrated how this approach could work in practice. On stage, he described a strategy that combines the product and premix portfolio with the information generated by precision services.

According to Mr Fru, connecting these capabilities should make it possible to generate predictions that support productivity in animal protein production. The approach also relies on collaboration with customers, who contribute their production challenges and data to the process.

According to material provided by the press office, the current precision services offering includes platforms such as Sustell, Verax and FarmTell, with applications covering environmental footprint assessment, biomarkers and farm management.

The aim is to use farm data to guide nutritional adjustments and monitor their effects on animal health, productivity and environmental impact.

Food security and profitability

Mr Fru also presented the vision of sustainability underpinning this approach. In his view, the discussion needs to consider access to food, the economic viability of production, product safety, environmental impact and animal care.

“Sustainability is not just about the environment. It starts with food security,” he said during the presentation. Born in Cameroon, the executive drew on his own life to illustrate differences in access to animal protein.

He recalled how much a whole chicken meant to a family and contrasted that experience with the food waste he later witnessed while living in Europe. Drawing on this contrast, he argued that sustainable production must feed people and provide an economically viable livelihood for producers.

He also acknowledged the sector’s environmental responsibility.

A new identity built on the business’s track record

Nelleke Barning, who leads communications for Animal Nutrition & Health, took part in the announcement on stage and linked the new identity to the organization’s accumulated experience. “A new brand, a new company,” she said, explaining that Panavora builds on more than a century of history and heritage.

Ms Barning highlighted the company’s intention to combine scientific leadership with close customer relationships in this new phase. The reorganization involves a business that generated EUR 3.3 billion in revenue in 2024 and employs around 7,800 people across 60 countries, with 11 research and development centers.

Panavora and Noviwest

According to the official statement, Panavora will focus on innovation in animal nutrition and health, bringing together premixes, additives, science-based solutions and precision services. The company said the business will have the world’s largest premix distribution network.

Noviwest will focus on essential ingredients for customers in the food and animal nutrition sectors. Silvia Sonneveld, who currently heads the vitamins business, has been appointed CEO of the future company.

“At a time when resilience and security of supply are critical, we believe a strong European manufacturing base for essential vitamins plays a vital role in safeguarding food systems, animal nutrition and human health,” Ms Sonneveld said.

Following completion of the transaction, Panavora and Noviwest are expected to operate with independent strategies, management and governance. Under the agreement, dsm-firmenich will retain a 20% stake in each company.

The companies may continue to collaborate in selected areas where their capabilities complement each other. As the transaction progresses, preparation and separation activities continue, while customer service and business continuity are maintained within dsm-firmenich’s current structure.