It is estimated that by 2050, the world’s population will exceed nine billion. All these people will need access to sustainable sources of energy, materials, and food. To provide the amount of energy required, we will have little choice but to drastically increase the amount of renewable energy we generate. The Netherlands-based multinational Royal DSM N.V. is working hard on bridging the existing gap between actual capacity and future requirements. PES talked to Jan Grimberg, Business Director Solar at DSM to find out more about the developments of the industry and DSM’s unique anti-reflective coating.
PES: Welcome to the magazine. Would you like to introduce DSM and explain a little about how you serve
the solar sector?
Jan Grimberg: DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. Since 1902, we’ve been working hard to provide society with science-based solutions and innovations. A key challenge that we’re facing today is how to securely provide ourselves with renewable energy, and this is an area where DSM can really help society.
Solar energy is not simply ‘a nice thing to have’ – it’s an industry that is now beyond the infant stage and is here to stay. At DSM, we’re looking at how our innovations can add value to the solar industry in a variety of ways, such as by bringing down the cost of solar energy. Our research is powered by an advanced RT&D community, which makes up more than 10% of our workforce.
PES: The company clearly has interests in several markets, but what prompted the move into solar, and has the sector been performing to your expectations?
JG: Our mission statement commits us to creating a brighter future for people today and generations to come. Renewable energy, ranging from bio-based fuels to wind energy and solar energy, is therefore at the core of DSM’s strategy. In pursuing the production of renewable energy, it’s very important to respect the environment so solar energy is great in this respect.
