Already years ago, BASF has started to categorize its complete portfolio of cosmetic ingredients with a comprehensible “leaves index”. The number of leaves – one to four – indicates the degree of a product’s natural origin calculated by the share of regenerative carbon atoms in relation to the total share of carbon in the ingredient. As the calculation method corresponds with one described in the ISO standard, the leaves system also gives an indication for the suitability of an ingredient in a formulation intended to be developed according to the ISO requirements. “From our calculations we can say that more than 250 of our personal care ingredients meet the ISO definition as natural or derived natural with a share of at least 50 percent natural carbon atoms,” explains Ute Griesbach. Based on the ingredient characterization, the natural or natural origin content of a formulation can be determined.
Comprehensive offer meets natural and organic cosmetics standards
While COSMOS and NATRUE are the most important standards for natural and organic cosmetics today, the ISO 16128 norm is a new international standard. BASF supports their customers with all necessary information and data for all three standards. 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. That makes BASF the largest provider of raw materials that are suitable for natural and organic cosmetic products under the COSMOS and NATRUE standards.
BASF’s portfolio comprises numerous products meeting the standards for natural and organic cosmetics. For the new international ISO 16128 standard BASF provides guidance and information on the degree of natural origin of the ingredients.
About the Care Chemicals division at BASF
The BASF division Care Chemicals offers a broad range of ingredients for personal care, hygiene, home care, industrial & institutional cleaning, and technical applications. We are the global leading 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. Superabsorbent polymers developed for the full spectrum of hygiene applications complete the range. 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 BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The more than 115,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of €64.5 billion in 2017. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at www.basf.com.
