BASF’s Care Chemicals division publishes its Responsible Sourcing Report for 2024

• Latest update on Care Chemicals’ progress in sustainable sourcing and production of renewable based materials
• Partnership with Solidaridad and Fedepalma to strengthen sustainable palm cultivation in Colombia
• Progress made in the botanical supply chain paves the way for further innovations in the bioactives sector

Ludwigshafen, Germany, March 31, 2025 – BASF’s Care Chemicals operating division today released the third edition of its Responsible Sourcing Report (RSR). The report shows the division’s progress in 2024 in the three pillars of sustainability – economy, environment and society. At the same time, it underscores BASF’s commitment to sustainability, demonstrating the company’s dedication to supporting smallholder farmers and promoting sustainable practices. BASF’s comprehensive sustainability statement can be found in the company’s Annual Report 2024.

Focus on the key raw materials to face the challenges of the future                   

As in the previous year, the publication focuses on the key raw materials for Care Chemicals’ core businesses and its responsibility in facing up to the challenges of the future. The division continued to source Rainforest Alliance (RA) certified coconut oil and offers RA-certified ingredients to personal care customers. For castor oil, the focus in 2024 remained on the Pragati project, which aims to improve farmers’ working conditions, create awareness about sustainable agriculture and increase yields through more efficient farming. The success of the project is reflected by the fact that approximately 100,000 metric tons of certified castor oil seeds were cultivated by 2024, a significant increase over the previous year (by 2023 74,500 metric tons were cultivated). In addition, the Care Chemicals division continued to work on its palm footprint. In 2024, 98.1 percent of the sourced palm (kernel) oil was RSPO-certified. Nearly 97 percent of the division’s total palm oil exposure was traceable to the oil mill level.

Strong partnership with Solidaridad and Fedepalma towards sustainable palm in Colombia   

In 2024, BASF entered into a strategic partnership with the non-profit organization Solidaridad and Fedepalma, the sectoral association representing the interests of more than 6,700 oil palm growers and mills in Colombia. This collaboration aims to increase the production of palm oil and palm kernel oil in Colombia through the accelerated adoption of the APSColombia protocol and the RSPO standard, which emphasize sustainable practices.

The project was successfully socialized in 2024 with small producers and the technical teams of the extraction plants leading to the inclusion of producers from all prioritized areas. A baseline survey was consolidated for 66 percent of the producers in order to monitor the progress of the project. The training process started, with more than 450 people participating.

“By joining forces with our partners, we’re paving the way to a broader availability of sustainable palm for the market. The need is already there,” said Jutta Stute, Global Sustainability Manager, Care Chemicals, BASF. “Teamwork is the key. We are proud to partner with committed allies and to expand our joint activities towards sustainable palm in Colombia.”

Progress made in the botanical supply chain                                                            

With the Responsibly Active Program, BASF’s Care Chemicals division aims to strengthen its botanical supply chains and create a positive impact along the value chain of bioactive ingredients. For example, in 2024, the division’s bioactives unit was able to ensure that 92.8 percent of its raw materials were bio-based or derived from abundant minerals, while 58.5 percent of its botanicals were sustainably sourced. Looking ahead, this business is committed to further product innovation and portfolio transformation with supply chains in line with the Responsibly Active approach.
 

These are just a few examples of how BASF’s Care Chemicals division handled key raw materials in its core businesses in 2024. The full RSR and further information on BASF’s commitment to sustainability can be found under following link:

https://care360.basf.com/sustainability/responsible-sourcing
 

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 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 comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €65.3 billion in 2024. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

About the Care Chemicals division at BASF

BASF’s Care Chemicals division offers a broad range of ingredients for personal care, home care, industrial & institutional cleaning, and technical applications. We are a leading global 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 high-performance 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.


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