BASF targets 100% certified palm oil purchase by 2015

Food manufacturers and  consumer products companies sometimes are not the only one looking to have its palm oil and other palm oil derivatives products sustainably certified.

BASF said it is one of the first suppliers to the European home and personal care industry to offer a diverse range of ingredients based on certified sustainable palm (kernel) oil, in accordance with the principles and criteria of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). With the launch of these ingredients, BASF is moving towards achieving its goal of purchasing all palm and palm kernel oil from certified sustainable sources by 2015.

The palm (kernel) oil used to produce these ingredients is sourced via either the Segregation (SG) or the Mass Balance (MB) supply chain system of the RSPO. The SG supply chain system assures that the palm (kernel) oil and the subsequent derivatives are kept strictly separated from uncertified oil in every step of the individual production process – from the plantation to the final product. The MB supply chain system allows for mixing of RSPO-certified oil with oil from uncertified sources at any point in the supply chain. A match between the purchased volumes of certified palm (kernel) oil and processed derivatives needs to be guaranteed.

BASF’s palm-based ingredients includes main surfactants to formulate products for personal care or household cleaners as well as emollients for skin care formulations. Palm oil is obtained from the palm fruit, while palm kernel oil is extracted from the kernel of the palm fruit as a by-product.

BASF said it is an active member of the RSPO since its foundation in 2004. Other chemical companies that has already joined RSPO can be found on this link.