10.19.17
BASF has joined the Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (FONAP) as a producer of oleoderivatives in the category “Supporter.”
“Becoming an official supporter of FONAP is an important signal for BASF in its ongoing efforts to foster sustainable oil palm products,” said Xavier Susterac, SVP BASF Personal Care Europe. BASF is one of the leading global processors of oleochemicals: One of its key raw materials is palm kernel oil and its primary derivatives.
The aim of the Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (FONAP) is to significantly boost the proportion of certified palm oil, palm kernel oil and their derivatives and fractions in the German, Austrian and Swiss markets.
In more than a decade, the increasing demand for palm-based products and the expansion of palm plantations, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia, have destroyed high value forests, peatland and biodiversity. At the same time, palm kernel oil in particular is irreplaceable for the oleoderivate business due to its specific traits. This dilemma means a huge responsibility for the industry. The chief global certification body for the palm industry is the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Sustainable palm oil has been certified by the RSPO according to specific criteria to help to reduce the negative impacts of palm oil cultivation on the environment and communities.
In 2016, BASF expanded its purchasing volumes by about 32,000 metric tons to 158,000 metric tons, and nearly doubled the sales of certified products based on palm kernel oil. BASF had an overall oil palm exposure of 508,000 metric tons in 2016.
“Becoming an official supporter of FONAP is an important signal for BASF in its ongoing efforts to foster sustainable oil palm products,” said Xavier Susterac, SVP BASF Personal Care Europe. BASF is one of the leading global processors of oleochemicals: One of its key raw materials is palm kernel oil and its primary derivatives.
The aim of the Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (FONAP) is to significantly boost the proportion of certified palm oil, palm kernel oil and their derivatives and fractions in the German, Austrian and Swiss markets.
In more than a decade, the increasing demand for palm-based products and the expansion of palm plantations, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia, have destroyed high value forests, peatland and biodiversity. At the same time, palm kernel oil in particular is irreplaceable for the oleoderivate business due to its specific traits. This dilemma means a huge responsibility for the industry. The chief global certification body for the palm industry is the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Sustainable palm oil has been certified by the RSPO according to specific criteria to help to reduce the negative impacts of palm oil cultivation on the environment and communities.
In 2016, BASF expanded its purchasing volumes by about 32,000 metric tons to 158,000 metric tons, and nearly doubled the sales of certified products based on palm kernel oil. BASF had an overall oil palm exposure of 508,000 metric tons in 2016.