Evonik to boost natural cosmetic formulations with sustainable baobab oil

Evonik has launched a new sustainable oil called Ecohance Soft Baobab [1], sourced from the Sahel region of Ghana. The oil is extracted from the seeds of the baobab fruit and can be used as a natural emollient ingredient in cosmetics like hand creams, hair conditioners and body butters.

According to Evonik, Ecohance Soft Baobab is well-balanced compositionally, with an optimized low amount of triglycerides containing cyclopropeonic fatty acids and a high ratio of tocopherol. The company touts the sustainably-sourced baobab oil as an appealing natural ingredient for cosmetic brands looking to develop next-generation green beauty formulas. Its origin from Ghana provides unique provenance as part of Evonik's Ecohance line of ethically and ecologically sourced natural raw materials.

Sustainable sourcing

To source Ecohance Soft Baobab sustainably, Evonik has built a new supply chain utilizing local and international partners. The baobab seeds are collected from wild fruit harvests. To ensure the entire supply process is sustainable, Evonik partners with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and supports the Great Green Wall initiative.

Additionally, Ecohance Soft Baobab was recently certified by the FairWild Foundation, which verifies the baobab harvesting protects the local ecosystem and provides socioeconomic support in the region. The certification also traces the wild baobab fruits back to individual collectors [2]..

Baobab trees thrive on poor soil and tolerate heat and drought, making them vital vegetation in the Sahel for combating desertification. By sourcing baobab oil sustainably, Evonik helps preserve this essential tree while uplifting local communities. The partnerships and certifications validate the ecological and social benefits of Ecohance Soft Baobab from source to final product.

“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,” highlighted Yann d’Hervé, head of Evonik’s Care Solutions business line.

A portfolio of circular solutions

Ecohance Soft Baobab is the newest product in Evonik's Ecohance program, which provides circular feedstocks to help the cosmetics industry become more sustainable. The program aims to reduce carbon footprints and improve ecological and social impacts across the entire value chain.

Evonik launched Ecohance in 2019. Ecohance Soft Baobab joins two other products - Ecohance Care PS3, an olive oil residue-based emulsifier, and Ecohance Remo XP, an eco-friendly multifunctional thickener. With the addition of sustainably sourced baobab oil, Evonik continues growing its Ecohance line of ingredients that offer next-generation sustainability benefits for cosmetic brands. The program exemplifies Evonik's commitment to circular solutions that are ecologically and socially responsible from source through production.

Footnotes

[1] INCI : Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil

[2] 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. FairWild certification requires annual onsite visits by authorised certification bodies.