November 30, 2023
(press release)
–
Evonik has launched a sustainable baobab oil sourced from the Sahel region of Ghana as the latest product in its ECOHANCE® program.ECOHANCE® Soft Baobab is refined from the non-edible seeds of the baobab fruit and can be used in a wide range of natural cosmetic formulations such as hand creams, hair conditioners and body butters. In cooperation with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Evonik is supporting the Great Green Wall Initiative, which ensures that the sourcing of the baobab oil protects the local ecosystem and supports social and economic projects in the region. ECOHANCE® Soft Baobab was recently certified by the FairWild™ Foundation. ECOHANCE® Soft Baobab is the latest addition to Evonik’s ECOHANCE® program, which offers circular solutions to help the cosmetics industry move its operations and solutions into the safe operating space of the planetary boundaries. As part of Evonik’s life sciences division, Nutrition & Care, the company’s Care Solutions business serves as a preferred sustainable specialties partner to the cosmetic industry, helping companies to reduce their carbon footprint and increase their ecological and social handprint along the entire value chain. “Sustainability drives us and collaboration defines us! ECOHANCE® Soft Baobab is a perfect example of how we uphold our core values of environmental and social responsibility. We've partnered with strong allies to build a brand-new supply chain, which allows our cosmetic customers to meet the growing demand for sustainable, high-performing natural products,” said Yann d'Hervé, head of Evonik's Care Solutions business line. The FairWild™ Foundation certifies companies and products according to 11 principles and 29 criteria that address ecological, social and economic requirements for sustainable wild collection. By being FairWild™ certified, ECOHANCE® Soft Baobab demonstrates traceable and transparent supply chains. FairWild™ certification requires annual onsite visits by authorised certification bodies. Baobab trees grow on poor soil, and tolerate heat and drought, making them essential vegetation for the Sahel and helping to prevent desertification. The wild harvest baobab fruits are traceable down to the collector. Evonik’s ECOHANCE® program was started in 2019 to provide circular solutions for the cosmetic industry. The goal of ECOHANCE® is to ensure the multiplication and improvement of next-generation alternative feedstocks, considering the entire life cycle of solutions, without compromising on performance. The launch of ECOHANCE® Soft Baobab follows the launch of ECOHANCE® Care PS3, an emulsifier based entirely on olive oil residues, and ECOHANCE® Remo XP, an eco-friendly multifunctional thickener. The Care Solutions business at Evonik places sustainability at the center of all its activities, from sourcing, production and innovative processes to capital expenditure and M&A decisions. For the cosmetics markets, Care Solutions provides specialist in concepts for skin care, sun care, color cosmetics, hair care, skin cleansing, active ingredients, alternative preservation and product stabilization. Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The company is active in more than 100 countries around the world and generated sales of €18.5 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €2.49 billion in 2022. Evonik goes far beyond chemistry to create innovative, profitable, and sustainable solutions for customers. About 34,000 employees work together for a common purpose: We want to improve life today and tomorrow. The focus of the business of the Nutrition & Care division is on health and quality of life. It develops differentiated solutions for active pharmaceutical ingredients, medical devices, nutrition for humans and animals, personal care, cosmetics, and household cleaning. In these resilient end markets, the division generated sales of €4.24 billion in 2022 with about 5,700 employees. In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.
* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.
