Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, announces today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Health Care of the Republic of Tatarstan with the aim of modernizing the Republic`s public health sector through fortified nutrition. The MOU was signed today in Amsterdam (Netherlands) in the presence of President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation and Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands.

Under the terms of the MOU, DSM and the Ministry of Health Care of the Republic of Tatarstan will implement a study for the provision of vitamins to patients (children and adults) admitted for treatment to in-patient hospitals to measure the effectiveness of a specially developed vitamin and mineral complex. Following a positive outcome, the objective is to start adding vitamins/minerals when providing in-patient medical care in hospitals in the Republic of Tatarstan.

The strategic partnership between DSM and the Republic of Tatarstan has been developed within the framework of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Netherlands. The Russian Federation`s Healthy Nutrition strategy for 2020 aims at preserving and strengthening public health and preventing of nutrition related diseases. It has been concluded that based on the current demographic situation in the Russian Federation, a change in nutrition patterns is needed to increase the life expectancy of the Russian population.

Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, said: "On behalf of the Republic of Tatarstan I fully support DSM in its efforts to further develop its successful cooperation that started in 2010 in Naberezhnye Chelny with the production of animal nutrition. Full and regular supply of the body with vitamins, minerals and trace elements is one of the key factors in maintaining health. This joint project of DSM, the Institute of Nutrition and the Ministry of Health will enable the introduction of preventive fortification as a standard provision of medical assistance in the hospitals of the Republic."

Feike Sijbesma, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the DSM Managing Board, said: "As the world`s largest producer of micronutrients, DSM has the expertise and resources needed to support an effective governmental food fortification program. An insufficient vitamin A intake can have a negative effect on the efficiency of hospital treatment, but also lowers patients` resistance. I am proud that we will work with the Ministry of Health Care in Tatarstan to begin to reduce vitamin deficiencies and subsequently increase life expectancy and I hope we will be able to expand this initiative to other regions of the Russian Federation."

For DSM, Russia is one of the High Growth Economies the company is focusing on in executing its strategy DSM in motion: driving focused growth. DSM`s main business areas in Russia are food and feed ingredients, pharmaceutical intermediate products, biotechnology, UHMWPE-based materials, resins and engineering plastics. Through its business activities, DSM meets the needs and trends in the Russian Federation. In 2012, DSM celebrated 20 years of presence in Russia.

In 2010 DSM started a joint venture in Tatarstan to contribute to Russia`s goal of reaching a higher self-sufficiency in animal protein production and supply by securing better animal nutrition. In 2011 DSM entered into a long-term partnership in the area of engineering plastics with JSC KuibyshevAzot in Tolyatti (Samara Region) in order to supply locally produced products to the automotive and electrical & electronics industries.

DSM - Bright Science. Brighter Living.(TM) Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM`s 23,500 employees deliver annual net sales of around 9 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at http://www.dsm.com.

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DSM and Republic of Tatarstan sign MOU for fortified nutrition