BASF delivers first biomass-balanced DMAPA to Galaxy Surfactants
Chemical

BASF delivers first biomass-balanced DMAPA to Galaxy Surfactants

Galaxy Surfactants will use BASF’s BMBCert DMAPA to produce Galaxy CAPB SB for personal care applications

  • By ICN Bureau | September 29, 2025

BASF has delivered its first shipment of biomass-balanced BMBCert 3-(dimethylamino)propylamine (DMAPA) in Asia Pacific to Galaxy Surfactants Ltd., a leading manufacturer of specialty care and performance ingredients for the beauty, home care, and wellness markets.

Galaxy Surfactants plans to use BASF’s BMBCert DMAPA to produce Galaxy CAPB SB for personal care applications, aiming for a reduction in CO2 emissions compared to its existing products.

This initiative aligns with Galaxy Surfactants’ broader Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) roadmap and its ambition to become a future-ready, low-carbon solutions provider. The company has been actively integrating sustainable raw materials and green chemistry practices into its portfolio, particularly in categories such as personal care and home care, where demand for eco-conscious formulations continues to grow.

BASF produces ISCC PLUS and REDcert2-certified BMBCert DMAPA at its production sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany; and Geismar, Louisiana, the United States. BASF reduces the cradle-to-gate product carbon footprint (PCF) by replacing fossil feedstock with certified renewable resources at the beginning of the value chain. A corresponding amount of renewable content is attributed to the product according to a mass balance approach. In addition, BASF uses renewable electricity in the manufacturing of BMBCert DMAPA, further reducing its PCF.

Avinash Nandanwar, Head of Sourcing and Sustainability, Galaxy Surfactants, said, “As a company committed to enabling responsible beauty and home care solutions, we are constantly evaluating ways to reduce our carbon footprint without compromising on product performance. This collaboration with BASF allows us to innovate with purpose and offer our customers sustainable, science-backed solutions like Galaxy CAPB SB, which meets the growing global demand for high-efficacy yet environmentally conscious formulations.”

Joachim Schmidt-Leithoff, Vice President of Business Management Amines, Acetylenics and Carbonyl Derivatives, Intermediates Asia Pacific, BASF, said, “We are excited about the progress we have made in our sustainability partnership with Galaxy Surfactants. This aligns perfectly with our vision of being the preferred partner for sustainable intermediates for our customers.”

Galaxy CAPB SB is cocamidopropyl betaine, a versatile liquid cosmetic ingredient. As an amphoteric surfactant, it excels in various functions, including biodegradability, exceptional foaming, foam enhancement, and foam stability. In the realm of hair care, Galaxy CAPB SB reduces static, lowers static charge, prevents build-up, and makes styling easier, ensuring a flyaway-reducing experience. It also finds applications in bath and shower products, including body washes, shower gels, liquid soaps, and bubble baths.

DMAPA, highly biodegradable, is an important building block for betaines, which are used to produce mild liquid soaps, shampoos and dishwashing detergents. DMAPA is the reason why shampoos do not sting the eyes and are gentle to the skin. DMAPA is also used in water treatment as well as in the production of plant protection products, lubricant additives, polyurethane foams and epoxy resin hardeners. BASF is one of the world’s leading DMAPA producers, with production sites in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Currently, it has a total production capacity of 70,000 metric tons per year.

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