BASF, in collaboration with the pioneering castor bean program ‘Pragati’, introduces certified traceability for bio-based footwear solutions. Pragati operates under the SuCCESS (Sustainable Castor Caring for Environmental and Social Standards) code, ensuring sustainable practices in castor oil production.
Andy Postlethwaite, Senior Vice President of Performance Materials Asia Pacific at BASF, highlighted the significance: “The footwear sector has been a leader in adopting sustainable solutions at BASF. With certified traceable bio-based polyurethane solutions now available, we are poised to meet the rising demand for eco-friendly footwear solutions across Asia.”
Driven by increasing consumer awareness, there is a growing demand among footwear brands and manufacturers to enhance the sustainability of their products while maintaining cost-efficiency, performance, and quality. Bio-based solutions contribute to sustainability by reducing reliance on fossil resources. Castor oil, sourced from the non-edible castor oil plant (Ricinus communis), is particularly advantageous as it thrives in arid or semi-arid regions, requiring minimal water. Its seeds also boast a prolonged shelf life.
“We are exploring opportunities to expand the use of these bio-based solutions to other application segments,” Mr. Postlethwaite added.
Pragati was established in May 2016 in Gujarat, India, a region that produces approximately 70% of the world’s castor beans. Since its inception, Pragati has converted over 7,000 hectares of semi-arid land to adhere to the SuCCESS sustainability standards. More than 7,000 farmers have undergone training, audits, and certification processes. The initiative has yielded over 74,500 tons of certified castor seeds, with yields in the seventh year surpassing local government projections by 36%.
