The SuCCESS standard is the world's first sustainable certification for castor oil and its derivatives, such as bio-based polyurethanes.
SINGAPORE -- July 1, 2024 -- BASF has joined forces with Pragati, the world's first sustainable castor seed project, to introduce traceability certification for bio-based shoe materials. The Pragati project sets the standard for certification of sustainable castor oil using the harmonized sustainable castor cultivation standard SuCCESS (Sustainable Castor Compliant with Environmental and Social Norms).
Andy Postlethwaite, Senior Vice President, Head of Specialty Materials Asia Pacific, BASF, said, "BASF has always led the way in sustainable solutions, especially in the footwear business. By offering traceability certification for bio-based polyurethane solutions, we are able to meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly solutions in the Asian footwear market."
Changing consumer attitudes are leading to steady growth in sustainable footwear materials, and for this reason, footwear brands and manufacturers have a clear goal: to make products more sustainable while maintaining excellence in cost, performance and quality. By reducing the consumption of fossil resources, bio-based solutions can increase the sustainability of products. In addition, the castor seeds used in the production of castor oil are derived from a non-edible crop that can be grown in arid or semi-arid areas, requires less water and has a long shelf life after drying.
Bao Leiwei added: "While meeting the needs of the footwear market, BASF also hopes to promote this bio-based solution and apply it to more segments."
The Pragati program was launched in May 2016 in the Indian state of Gujarat (Gujarat). The region accounts for about 70% of global castor seed production. Since the launch of the program, more than 7,000 hectares of semi-arid land have been rehabilitated under the SuCCESS Sustainable Castor Cultivation Standard, and more than 7,000 growers have been trained and certified under the program. Currently, certified sustainable castor seed production has exceeded 74,500 tons, a 36% increase in production compared to the seventh year of comparable production in the region, as published by the local government.
