BASF SE has successfully completed a certification process according to the SuCCESS (Sustainable Castor Caring for Environmental & Social Standards) Code, allowing the company to supply sustainable castor ingredients to the personal care industry from its Düsseldorf-Holthausen site. BASF SE is the reportedly the first chemical company to achieve certification for sustainable castor products.
Related: BASF and Beyond Suncare Renew Partnership on African Albinism Project
The SuCCESS Code was designed to develop sustainability principles for castor seeds. Only SuCCESS-certified Sustainable Castor Association (SCA) members can claim to supply sustainable castor products. The code features 11 principles of ownership and provides on-field support for compliance with 41 mandatory and 25 non-mandatory control points.
BASF, Arkema, Jayant Agro-Organics Ltd. and Solidaridad have partnered on Project Pragati since 2016, improving working conditions and creating awareness for sustainable farming. The project’s goal is to support the sustainable production of castor beans to establish sustainable supply chains to increase the yields and income of the farmers. Since the project was initiated, more than 5,800 smallholders and 13,300 hectares of land have been certified for sustainable castor cultivation, according to BASF.