BASF launches aroma ingredients with reduced Product Carbon Footprint

BASF Aroma Ingredients has launched L Menthol FCC rPCF as its first product with a reduced Product Carbon Footprint (rPCF). Further rPCF product launches are planned to help customers achieve their Scope 3 carbon reduction targets. BASF's rPCF aroma ingredients come with a PCF reduction of about 10 to 15% compared to conventional BASF products. The product carbon footprints of BASF's rPCF portfolio are calculated in accordance with the guidance issued by the 'Together for Sustainability' (TfS) initiative. TÜV Rheinland has certified the conformance of the BASF calculation method used with this standard.

"Bringing L-Menthol FCC rPCF to the market represents a significant milestone in our commitment to sustainability," says Steffen Götz, Vice President of Aroma  Ingredients at BASF. "Adding rPCF products to our portfolio makes us the first aroma ingredient manufacturer that enables its customers to actively pursue CO₂ emission reduction beyond their own premises."

Successful collaboration between BASF and Colgate-Palmolive

Colgate-Palmolive was one of the first customers to implement BASF's new product offering. "Colgate-Palmolive has a target to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040, with the majority of those emissions associated with the raw and packaging materials we procure from suppliers. The transition to a reduced carbon footprint Menthol is the result of effective collaboration between the Colgate-Palmolive and BASF teams, helping us make meaningful progress towards our goal while maintaining the highest product quality standards," says Lauren Richardson, Chief Procurement Officer at Colgate-Palmolive Company.

Mass balance approach

BASF employs a mass balance approach at its Verbund sites in the production of rPCF aroma ingredients: A specified share of conventional raw material or conventional utilities is replaced by the respective raw material or utilities with a reduced PCF. This share is attributed to the rPCF products and reduces their carbon footprint accordingly. 

The production process itself remains unchanged, allowing customers to seamlessly transition to rPCF products without the need for requalification. "Deploying the mass balance approach, we can enhance the sustainability of our products while ensuring that customers can rely on the same quality they're accustomed to from our conventional products," explains Dr. Cordula Mock Knoblauch, Head of Sustainability Accelerator, BASF Aroma Ingredients. 

BASF's rPCF portfolio will grow according to customer demand 

BASF is dedicated to further expanding its rPCF aroma ingredients portfolio in response to customer needs. The focus will be on large-volume products because of their ability to reduce the Scope 3 emissions of our customers significantly. In addition to L-Menthol FCC rPCF, plans include the launch of Citronellol rPCF and Geraniol rPCF in 2025.

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(Thumbnail photo: BASF)