BASF and Henkel focus on renewable raw materials in Henkel’s consumer goods products

BASF and Henkel jointly commit to replacing fossil carbon feedstock with renewable feedstock for most products in Henkel’s European Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care businesses over the next four years following a successful pilot with Henkel’s cleaning and detergent brand Love Nature in 2021. Through the cooperation, the fossil feedstock for around 110,000 tons of ingredients per year will be substituted with renewable feedstock using BASF’s certified biomass balance approach. As a result, Henkel’s core brands like Persil, Pril, Fa and Schauma will come with a reduced carbon footprint, avoiding around 200,000 tons of CO₂ emissions in total.

“We are delighted to build on our ongoing cooperation with BASF and significantly increase the share of biomass in our value chain for our products used by millions around the world every day,” said Carsten Knobel, CEO of Henkel. “To foster a regenerative planet, we are on a journey toward an environmental transformation of our business model. We intend to continuously enhance our processes, products and use of raw materials for a resource-efficient, carbon-neutral future. Integrating BASF’s biomass balance approach into our supply chain as an early-mover is a right step in that direction.”

“I am very proud that Henkel honors the efforts that BASF is making in providing Henkel with low product carbon footprint products,” said Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF. “We are also proud to support such an innovative brand owner that is a first mover in offering end-consumers more sustainable solutions on such a large scale. The project underlines the commitment of both companies to creating a sustainable future.”

The replacement of fossil feedstock is possible through BASF’s biomass balance approach: renewable resources are used in the very first steps of chemical production. The bio-based feedstock amount is then attributed to specific products by means of the certified method.

BASF has established a closed chain of custody from the renewable feedstock it uses through to the final product. TÜV Nord, an independent certification body, supports the practical implementation and confirms according to the REDCert2 certification scheme that BASF replaces the required quantities of fossil resources for the biomass balanced product with renewable feedstock.

Further information on BASF’s biomass balance approach: 
BASF's biomass balance approach Biomass balance approach ‏(basf.com)
Explanatory video Biomass Balance Approach BASF - YouTube