Joint Press Release 
March 31, 2022

Cooperation on climate protection

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

•	Around 110,000 tons per year of fossil-based ingredients will be substituted with renewable carbon sources using BASF’s certified biomass balance approach.
•	The measure will ramp up quickly and avoid around 200,000 tons of CO2 emissions in total.

Ludwigshafen/Düsseldorf – 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	

About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 111,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €78.6 billion in 2021. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.

About the Care Chemicals division at BASF 
The BASF division Care Chemicals offers a broad range of ingredients for personal care, home care, industrial & institutional cleaning, and technical applications. We are a leading global supplier for the cosmetics industry as well as the detergents and cleaners industry, and support our customers with innovative and sustainable products, solutions and concepts. The division’s high-performance product portfolio includes surfactants, emulsifiers, polymers, emollients, chelating agents, cosmetic active ingredients and UV filters. We have production and development sites in all regions and are expanding our presence in emerging markets. Further information is available online at www.care-chemicals.basf.com.

About Henkel
Henkel operates globally with a well-balanced and diversified portfolio. The company holds leading positions with its three business units in both industrial and consumer businesses thanks to strong brands, innovations and technologies. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the adhesives market – across all industry segments worldwide. In its Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care businesses, Henkel holds leading positions in many markets and categories around the world. Founded in 1876, Henkel looks back on more than 140 years of success. In 2021, Henkel reported sales of more than 20 billion euros and an adjusted operating profit of about 2.7 billion euros. The company employs more than 52,000 people globally – a passionate and highly diverse team, united by a strong company culture, a common purpose, and shared values. As a recognized leader in sustainability, Henkel holds top positions in many international indices and rankings. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. For more information, please visit www.henkel.com.

Press contacts:

BASF 
Alexandra Spiegel-Kutschenreuter
Phone: +49 621 60 932 53
Email: alexandra.spiegel-kutschenreuter@basf.com

Henkel
Sina Pfanschilling		
Phone: +49 211 797 99 04	
Email: sina.pfanschilling@henkel.com