DSM said on Tuesday third-quarter adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 17% to 449 million euros ($521.02 million), in line with analysts' forecast of 448 million.

Its sales also jumped 17% to 2.30 billion euros, beating analysts' 2.22 billion euros estimate.

Sales in DSM's core nutrition business rose 14%, as it benefitted from public health campaigns for immunity boosters and especially strong demand for its animal products in China and Latin America.

However, it noted that lower birth rates - exacerbated by COVID-19 - and labour shortages in North America's meatpacking industry had slowed sales.

Revenues from its smaller materials division jumped 31%, as it recovered from the pandemic in spite of shortages in raw materials and semiconductor chips that have majorly disrupted global supply chains.

DSM is considering selling its materials business, which makes thermoplastics used in automotive industry, construction, food packaging and consumer goods, as it looks to focus on its nutrition, health, and sustainable living products.

The company also confirmed its target of achieving an adjusted EBITDA growth rate in the mid-teens in 2021.

($1=0.8618 euros)

(Reporting by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Kim Coghill)