Biodegradable solutions for personal care products. Our quest for non-persistent, sustainable personal care products
At BASF Personal Care, sustainably sourced, nature-based products manufactured by green processes are a top priority. Over the past decades, our portfolio has consistently become more natural. At the same time, we consider it our responsibility to go even further. Carbon dioxide emissions as well as products and substances that do not degrade in nature are major concerns to us. The personal care market calls for solutions that are sustainable and biodegradable, yet deliver the same high performance as well-established products.
What we need your help with
Biodegradable rheology control
Currently the most widespread rheology modifiers are non-biodegradable. For example, carbomer products based on polyacrylates provide a pleasant sensory profile on the skin and have been the benchmark for years in terms of high thickening performance without a slimy or tacky skinfeel. They are used to make shampoo or conditioner flow like honey. How can we achieve similar performance with different technology or product that ensures biodegradability?
Biodegradable conditioning
Consumers demand effective solutions for easy hair combing and detangling. BASF already offers a range of nature-based conditioning polymers too serve this need. Which other innovation solutions for new cationic derivates or other ingredients do you know?
Biodegradable film-forming
Styling agents are the key ingredients to enable individual hairstyles. They are the ingredients that cause multiple hairs to stick to each other and create beautiful, natural looking curls or spiky punk like styles that last all day. Biodegradable solutions are currently very rare. What sustainable solutions or products could provide similar performance, such as low tackiness and humidity resistance, enabling a natural look and feel?
We would love to join forces with you, whether your idea matches the product segments mentioned above or fits into personal care in a different way.
Our expectations on your ideas
All ideas and products are to be assessed
according to the following criteria:
- Biodegradable, non-persistent in nature
- If possible, completely bio-based, but at least 50% natural carbon content
- Sustainable sourcing
- Comply to the Principles of Green Chemistry and Green Engineering
- No hazardous material labels
Should you be unsure about any of these aspects in relation to your idea, product or technology, we would be glad to answer your questions.