Prepared Foods September 19, 2005 eNewsletter

DSM of the Netherlands, a global supplier of life science and nutritional products, performance materials and industrial chemicals, has established its China R&D center in Pudong District, Shanghai.

As a component part of DSM's global R&D network, the China R&D Center in Shanghai will, in addition to the design and development of products, conduct market survey and partnership cooperation with local universities, scientific institutions and key manufacturers.

Jan Zuidam, DSM's global vice chairman, said the establishment of the China R&D Center will promote close cooperation between DSM and the Chinese scientific community, thus allowing DSM to mingle with the local industries and market. DSM has set up a joint lab with Fudan University in Shanghai.

Stefan Sommer, president of DSM (China) Ltd., said in addition to serving the local market, the China R&D Center will also cooperate with DSM research institutions in Europe and North America to promote the development of products and to meet market demand for pharmaceutical intermediates, additives to food and nutritional products, and high- performance materials for auto and electronic equipment.

According to Sommer, China is not only a production base for DSM, but also one of DSM's key markets and strategic bases. At present, DSM has set up seven joint ventures, four solely funded companies and six sales offices in China, with a workforce of some 3,000. DSM's main products in China include vitamins, antibiotics, paints, structural resins, engineering plastics and filamentary substances.