Biotech partnership & naturals focus for BASF

08-Aug-2018 - Last updated on 08-Aug-2018 at 15:01 GMT

With an eye on the naturals trend and how it intersects with environmentally-friendly consumer goods, BASF is one company making strides to prove its credentials.

The ingredients player has recently announced that it has won an award for its naturals portfolio, as well as having launched a partnership with a biotech player, Mazza, to help it source raw materials in more sustainably savvy ways.

“Natural and sustainable solutions are clearly valued by a growing portion of consumers and our customers need trustworthy and recognized partners in order to enable their natural products’ offering,” said Daniele Piergentili, Vice President, Home & Personal Care, North America for BASF.

Biotech partners

BASF and Mazza Innovation recently announced the signing of an exclusive, long-term supply agreement.

Mazza, a Canadian botanical extractions company, will provide BASF with specific plant extracts to develop new solutions for cosmetic applications.

Mazza produces the plant extracts using its patented PhytoClean™ technology. This unique, water-based extraction method concentrates bio-actives in a very eco-friendly way, the company says.

“The PhytoClean Method is an environmentally sound way to produce standardized bio-active ingredients from plant biomass,” explains the company.

“By changing the polarity of water using temperature and pressure, the PhytoClean method avoids the use of conventional extraction solvents.

“We gain access to such phytochemicals as phenolic compounds, polysaccharides and glycosides – all of which contribute to the biological activity of the plant extract.”

BASF wins Natural Products Association award

The Natural Products Association (NPA) recognized BASF for having the largest selection of ingredients for cosmetic manufacturers who want to certify their products according to the NPA Natural Standard.

The 25th Annual NPA Awards honors outstanding individuals and companies in government and businesses that have made valuable contributions to the success of the natural products industry.

“BASF is a truly innovative company that continues to deliver new natural alternatives for consumers year in and year out,” said Daniel Fabricant, President and CEO of NPA.

“We are pleased to honor BASF for their contributions to our industry and to NPA, the nation’s largest and oldest association for natural products.”

Portfolio: naturals accreditation focus

Besides the NPA Natural Standard, BASF says it supports their customers also with all necessary information and data for the COSMOS and NATRUE standards as well as the ISO 16128 norm.

Around 130 ingredients developed by BASF for personal care applications have already been registered with COSMOS and more than 50 of the products are evaluated according to the NATRUE criteria.

The BASF portfolio for natural cosmetics ranges from basic raw materials – like surfactants and emollients – to additives and active ingredients.