- BASF's Cassina Rizzardi site is certified under the Rainforest Alliance Mass Balance Coconut scheme.
- The project trained over 4,100 coconut farmers from November 2015 to October 2018.
- 1,600 farmers received additional training and certification, increasing their income by 47%.
- Partners include Cargill, P&G, GIZ, Rainforest Alliance, and the Philippine Coconut Authority.
Certification Achievement
BASF’s production site in Cassina Rizzardi, Italy, has been certified under the Rainforest Alliance Mass Balance Coconut certification scheme. This makes BASF the first chemical company to offer certified sustainable personal care ingredients based on coconut oil. The Mass Balance model ensures the physical flow of certified raw materials within supply chains, benefiting farmers who sell Rainforest Alliance Certified coconuts and copra.
Project Collaboration
The certification was achieved through a development partnership involving BASF, Cargill, The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), and the German government agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The project received strong support from the Rainforest Alliance and the Philippine Coconut Authority. The main objective was to increase the income and economic self-sufficiency of smallholder coconut farmers in the Philippines and Indonesia by promoting a sustainable certified coconut oil supply chain.
Farmer Training and Impact
Between November 2015 and October 2018, more than 4,100 coconut farmers were trained in good agricultural practice (GAP), good processing practice, and farm management. Approximately 1,600 farmers received additional training and were certified according to the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard. Farmers who participated in the program saw an average income increase of 47% compared to those who did not.
Sustainability Goals
BASF aims to create chemistry for a sustainable future and is committed to managing its supply chain responsibly. The company is involved in various initiatives to increase the share of nature-based ingredients in its portfolio and to enhance the sustainability of farming practices and the wellbeing of farmers and workers. Examples include the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and SuCCESS (Sustainable Castor Association).
