Kao Corp. Joins Genomatica Venture to Scale Palm Oil Alternative

Kao Corporation is joining Genomatica's venture to scale and commercialize plant-based alternatives to palm kernel oil.

This venture will strengthen supply chain resiliency in the $652 billion home and personal care industries and increase the global supply of responsibly sourced palm oil alternatives to the market.

Kao’s investment adds to Geno’s previously announced $120 million venture with Unilever and increases the production capability of the palm kernel oil alternative. It is also a significant step toward achieving Geno’s goal to reduce greenhouse gases by 100 million tons in upcoming years.

As responsibly sourced palm oil and its derivatives will continue to be a critical feedstock to Kao, the venture will support Kao in manufacturing more sustainable, biotechnology-driven ingredients for use in home and personal care products and supplying palm oil alternatives derivatives to its business customers, and to increase the transparency and traceability of its supply chain.

Christophe Schilling, Geno CEO said, said, "We’re excited to welcome Kao as a founding member to our palm kernel oil alternative venture along with Unilever. Kao joining this venture is another example of Geno collaborating with world-leading brands and value-chain partners to commercialize sustainable solutions at scale that support traceable and responsible sourcing. Together, we will increase the supply chain resiliency our planet and people need today and for the future. Kao’s deep expertise in the home and personal care markets enables us to support other manufacturers in meeting their sustainability commitments and supplying the rising consumer demand for sustainable products.”

Masahiro Katayose, Kao senior executive officer in charge of chemical business said, said, "I am delighted that Kao has had the opportunity to invest in a venture with such outstanding, cutting-edge biotechnology capabilities. Besides being a manufacturer of consumer products for household use, Kao is also a chemical manufacturer that supplies the industry with a wide range of materials and has adopted 'protecting future lives' and promoting 'sustainability as the only path' as its mid-term plan K25 vision. To drive sustainable development and contribute toward the building of a resource-circulating society, Kao will continue to undertake responsible, sustainable palm oil procurement. In this regard, Geno’s biotechnology has a vital role to play in the diversification of sustainable raw material procurement. Kao’s investment in this venture will make possible the provision of new eco-chemical solutions and represents an opportunity for Kao to play an even bigger role in helping consumers, customers, industry and society to realize decarbonization and make the shift to a resource-circulating economy.”