German chemical and biotech giant BASF’s castor product facility in Düsseldorf-Holthausen has gained certification under the SuCCESS (Sustainable Castor Caring for Environmental & Social Standards) Code, the company announced.
The company said it had now started supplying sustainable castor ingredients to the personal care industry.
BASF launched the Pragati castor project in May 2016 with speciality chemicals company Arkema, oleochemical firm Jayant Agro-Organics and the international civil society organisation Solidaridad to improve working conditions, create awareness for sustainable farming and increase yields on castor farms.
To date, more than 5,800 smallholders and over 13,300ha of land had been certified for sustainable castor cultivation, according to the 24 March statement.
Designed by multiple partners and stakeholders to ensure the Pragati project’s objective, the SuCCESS code comprises 11 principles of ownership and provides smallholders with on-field support for monitoring and compliance with 41 mandatory and 25 non-mandatory control points.
Only SuCCESS-certified members of the Sustainable Castor Association (SCA) could claim to supply sustainable castor products, BASF said.
Pragati is the Hindi word for progress.
BASF’s Care Chemicals division offers a range of ingredients for personal care, home care, industrial & institutional cleaning, and technical applications. The company is a leading global supplier for the cosmetics sector as well as the detergents and cleaning industry and its product portfolio includes surfactants, emulsifiers, polymers, emollients, chelating agents, cosmetic active ingredients and UV filters.
