This collaboration marks a key milestone for both companies in reducing the carbon footprint of personal care products.
In a significant move toward sustainable chemistry in the Asia Pacific region, BASF has delivered its inaugural shipment of biomass-balanced BMBCert™ 3-(dimethylamino)propylamine (DMAPA) to Galaxy Surfactants Ltd., a premier manufacturer of specialty ingredients for the beauty, home care, and wellness markets.
Galaxy Surfactants, in alignment with its comprehensive Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) roadmap, plans to leverage BASF’s certified DMAPA to produce its renowned product, Galaxy CAPB SB. This transition is specifically designed to achieve a notable reduction in CO2 emissions compared to its conventional product, furthering the company's ambition to become a leading low-carbon solutions provider. The company has been proactively integrating green chemistry practices into its portfolio to meet the burgeoning global demand for eco-conscious formulations in personal and home care.
Avinash Nandanwar, Head of Sourcing and Sustainability at Galaxy Surfactants, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership. "As a company committed to enabling responsible beauty and home care solutions, we are constantly evaluating ways to reduce our carbon footprint without compromising on product performance," he stated.
BASF produces the certified BMBCert™ DMAPA at its production hubs in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Geismar, Louisiana, U.S. The company employs a mass balance approach—certified by ISCC PLUS and REDcert2—where certified renewable resources are substituted for fossil feedstock at the very beginning of the value chain.
Joachim Schmidt-Leithoff, Vice President of Business Management Amines, Acetylenics and Carbonyl Derivatives, Intermediates Asia Pacific at BASF, expressed enthusiasm for the joint effort. "We are excited about the progress we have made in our sustainability partnership with Galaxy Surfactants. This aligns perfectly with our vision of being the preferred partner for sustainable intermediates for our customers," he commented.
DMAPA itself is a highly biodegradable and essential building block for betaines, which are critical in producing mild liquid soaps, shampoos, and dishwashing detergents. It is the key ingredient responsible for the gentle, non-eye-stinging properties of many shampoos.
The resulting product, Galaxy CAPB SB (cocamidopropyl betaine), is a versatile, biodegradable amphoteric surfactant. It is lauded for its exceptional foaming, foam enhancement, and foam stability. In addition to its use in bath and shower products like body washes and bubble baths, its application in hair care helps to reduce static, prevent build-up, and ease styling, ensuring a "flyaway-reducing experience" for consumers seeking high-performance yet environmentally responsible ingredients.
