Recently, BASF, the global chemical giant, has made a strategic move to reinforce its commitment to sustainability in the personal care sector by forging a partnership with INOCAS (Innovative Oil and Carbon Solutions) in Brazil. This collaboration centers around the sourcing of macauba oil, garnered from the native Acrocomia aculeata tree, which thrives in Brazil’s semi-arid regions and nutrient-poor soils.
Under this agreement, INOCAS will supply BASF with macauba kernel oil (MKO) in pilot volumes starting next year. This initiative aligns with BASF’s long-term vision of integrating more sustainable raw materials into its product lines. The partnership not only involves the direct supply of MKO but also encompasses significant support to expand macauba oil production in Brazil at an industrial level.
By 2030, INOCAS plans to cultivate at least 50,000 hectares of macauba trees through collaborations with smallholder farmers, fostering regenerative agricultural practices that marry forestry and livestock farming without necessitating additional land use changes.
Mary Kurian, President of BASF Care Chemicals, emphasized the importance of such initiatives, stating, “As a leading supplier of ingredients for personal and home care, our Care Chemicals division is committed to securing and diversifying its supply of sustainable raw materials. A significant portion of our products are derived from renewable sources such as natural oils.” She underscored macauba kernel oil as a promising avenue to enhance sustainability within the industry.
Further fortifying this commitment, BASF plans to integrate macauba pulp oil (MPO) from 2027 as a substitute for fossil fuels. MPO will play a crucial role in producing bio-naphtha, which can subsequently be transformed into a wide array of products, including polymers, solvents, detergents, lubricants, synthetic fibers, and fuels. BASF noted, “Using MPO in its bio-naphtha pool and for its mass-balance portfolio will enable BASF to offer more products based on renewable raw materials and with a lower product carbon footprint (PCF) to its customers.”
