BASF Joins Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil

BASF has joined the Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (FONAP) as a producer of oleoderivatives in the Supporter category.


“Becoming an official supporter of FONAP is an important signal for BASF in its ongoing efforts to foster sustainable oil palm products. This underlines our commitment to transform the market towards sustainable renewable resources and to help our customers fulfill their FONAP commitments,” 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. Both are mainly used for the production of ingredients for the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries, as well as in human nutrition. Revising its membership charter, FONAP's General Assembly has opened up for the so-called upstream part of the palm value chain—the producers of oleoderivatives as “supporter” of the association


“We welcome BASF as an official supporter-member of FONAP. We are happy to strengthen our network and multiply our joint efforts,” said Daniel May, secretary general of FONAP. The association has 44 members including small, medium-sized and multinational companies from various palm oil processing sectors. FONAP's aim 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. Together the member companies are working towards the goal of ensuring that all the palm oil and palm kernel oil available on these markets is certified as soon as possible. Regular members commit themselves to use only 100% certified palm oil and to improve certification system.


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.