BASF publishes fifth Palm Progress Report

• From 2020, BASF sources all palm (kernel) oils exclusively from RSPO-certified sustainable sources
• By 2025, the commitment to certified sourcing includes key palm oil and palm kernel oil-based intermediates
• Portfolio for palm-based surfactants with RSPO certification continues to grow

BASF today launched the fifth edition of its Palm Progress Report featuring figures for 2020. One of BASF’s key renewable raw materials is palm kernel oil and its primary derivatives which are mainly used to produce ingredients for the cosmetics, detergent and cleaner industries, as well as in human nutrition.

In the past year, BASF has reached an important milestone on the road to sustainable palm oil. The company has committed to source palm (kernel) oils exclusively from RSPO-certified sustainable sources since then. In 2020, BASF purchased 227,213 metric tons of RSPO-certified sustainable palm (kernel) oil. This corresponds to 100 percent of the total volume purchased. In addition, BASF made further progress in developing transparent supply chains: almost 95 percent of the global oil palm footprint – a total of 441,107 metric tons – could be traced back to the oil mill.

BASF is now fully focused on the other part of its 2015 commitment: to also include the commitment of certified sourcing to those significant intermediates which are based on palm oil and palm kernel oil by 2025, e.g. fatty alcohols and fatty acids.

Portfolio for palm-based surfactants with RSPO certification continues to grow

The BASF Home Care, I&I and Industrial Formulators Europe business is expanding its portfolio of palm-based surfactants with RSPO certifications. It now offers around 150 surfactants certified according to the RSPO standard ’Mass Balance’, in line with the company’s efforts to work towards a sustainable future along the entire value chain. In addition, it is helping its European customers to meet consumer demand for environment-friendly products both in the detergents and cleaners industry and amongst users of industrial applications. As one of the first RSPO members, BASF is thus underlining its continued commitment to support the production of sustainable palm (kernel) oil in the future.

The Palm Progress Report and further information on BASF's commitment can be found here.

About the Care Chemicals division at BASF

The BASF division Care Chemicals offers a broad range of ingredients for personal care, hygiene, home care, industrial & institutional cleaning, and technical applications. We are the global leading supplier for the cosmetics industry as well as the detergents and cleaners industry, and support our customers with innovative and sustainable products, solutions and concepts. The division’s highperformance product portfolio includes surfactants, emulsifiers, polymers, emollients, chelating agents, cosmetic active ingredients and UV filters. We have production and development sites in all regions and are expanding our presence in emerging markets. Further information is available online at www.care-chemicals.basf.com.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.

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