DSM has jumped 40 places from last year, when it debuted in the 42nd spot.
Fortune highlighted the firm's efforts on the front line in the fight against malnutrition, pointing to a joint venture with the Rwandan government to boost the local food processing industry.
The African Improved Foods (AIF) plant produces fortified cereal, much of it for the UN World Food Programme (WFP).
Fortune further praised DSM’s sustainable solutions in the areas of nutrition and climate change, such as Project 'Clean Cow', a new feed ingredient that demonstrates a 30%-plus reduction in methane emissions without any adverse effects on beef and dairy cattle’s welfare, feed consumption or performance.
Evaluated and ranked by Fortune writers and editors with help from partners FSG and Shared Value Initiative, the Change the World list prioritises companies with annual revenues of $1bn or more.