dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health and Bayer have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance sustainability practices across the global animal agriculture sector. The collaboration brings together Bayer’s expertise in primary crop life-cycle assessment (LCA) data with Sustell™, dsm-firmenich’s ISO-assured environmental footprinting platform for animal protein.

The partnership aims to enable the animal-protein value chain to accurately measure and effectively reduce environmental impact, combining feed-crop and livestock data for full life-cycle transparency — from crop production to processed animal products.

Industry and business implications

The cooperation reflects a wider shift within the agri-food and animal-nutrition industries, where environmental metrics are increasingly influencing trade, financing, and supply-chain access. Transparent and verifiable data are becoming central to how producers, processors, and retailers demonstrate progress toward sustainability commitments.

By aligning crop-level data with on-farm and feed-efficiency insights, the collaboration could create a more unified standard for environmental reporting. This integration allows feed producers and livestock operations to identify efficiency gaps, track emission reductions, and assess the financial impact of sustainability measures.

Statements from the companies

Lionnel Alexandre, EMEA Head of Ecosystem Services at Bayer, described the partnership as “a critical milestone toward long-term, viable and regenerative agriculture,” adding that the ability to measure and valorize farmers’ sustainability efforts would strengthen the agricultural ecosystem.

David Nickell, VP Sustainability and Business Solutions and Head of Sustell™ at dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health, said the collaboration “will benefit companies along the value chain by providing more accurate insights into the sustainability of animal protein supply chains while unlocking significant value opportunities.”

Broader context

For the animal-protein industry, including the ruminant and dairy sectors, such integrated footprinting tools can reduce reporting complexity and support market competitiveness in regions where environmental performance is becoming a commercial differentiator. Reliable primary data from feed crops through to finished products is increasingly regarded as essential to building trust among consumers, regulators, and investors.

This MoU reinforces both companies’ commitment to sustainability and innovation, setting a new benchmark for environmental accountability across the global feed and animal-protein industries.

The official announcement is available on dsm-firmenich’s website