BASF again reached its goal of sourcing all palm (kernel) oils certified from sustainable sources by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) in 2021.

Based on a voluntary commitment, the company purchased 242,946 metric tons of certified palm kernel oil in 2021, representing 100% of the total procurement volume.

BASF also made further progress in developing transparent supply chains: Almost 96 percent of the company’s global oil palm footprint – a total of 441,107 metric tons – can be traced back to the oil mill where it was produced. Compared with conventional sourcing, BASF avoided more than 330,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions. These figures are among some of the details featured in the company’s sixth edition of its Palm Progress Report, which has now been published.

Palm kernel oil and its primary derivatives are among BASF’s key renewable raw materials. They are mainly used to produce ingredients for the cosmetics, detergent and cleaner industries, as well as in human nutrition. The company’s progress in ensuring that its renewable-based products are made from sustainably sourced raw materials can be discovered in detail on the company's Palm Dialog website.

BASF is now fully focused on the next part of its voluntary commitment made in 2015: to expand it to those significant intermediates which are based on palm oil and palm kernel oil by 2025. These include fractions, primary oleochemical derivatives, and vegetable oil esters.

Certified sustainable palm (kernel) oil is just another example of how BASF’s Care Chemicals division is addressing future challenges. Sustainability, digitalization, innovation and new approaches to working together are the key cornerstones to Care 360° – Solutions for Sustainable Life.