Renewable raw materials

The issue of sustainability is one that has moved up the public agenda significantly in recent years, and this is reflected in the growing demand for natural-source consumer products.

Natural oils and fats are our basics
Processing natural raw materials is one of Cognis’ core areas of competence. In fact, renewables account for about 50% of the company’s total raw material consumption, with oils and plant extracts forming the basis for high-performance solutions. Oils from coconuts, palm kernels, sunflowers, soybeans, and rapeseed make up a large proportion of the raw materials incorporated in the modern high-performance chemicals made by Cognis. By using Cognis solutions, manufacturers of consumer goods in such diverse areas as cosmetics, body care, cleaning, nutrition, or health care can often meet the criteria necessary to obtain quality seals for their products.

Raw material basis of Cognis in terms of volume in 2009
Core businesses Care Chemicals, Nutrition & Health, Functional Products

BDIH certification for 30 ingredients
Now, Cognis Care Chemicals’ customers can get certified ingredients for natural cosmetics: 30 of Cognis’ basic and active ingredients have achieved the BDIH 
(German trade and industry association for pharmaceuticals, health foods, dietary supplements and personal care products ) certification for use in natural cosmetics. An independent assessor working on behalf of the BDIH classified 30 cosmetic oils, emulsifiers and surfactants from Cognis Care Chemicals and its active ingredients business Laboratoires Sérobiologiques as meeting the criteria for certification. Now that Cognis has obtained this official endorsement for its ingredients, it is much simpler for Care Chemicals’ customers to formulate natural cosmetics that comply with the BDIH guidelines, and to receive certification for their end products.  more

Natural-based solutions for industrial markets
Customers who serve industrial markets can also draw on Cognis’ comprehensive knowledge of physical and surface chemistry to help them develop environmentally sustainable solutions with superior performance profiles that are safe for both processors and end users. Examples include solvents and other products  for improving the efficiency of industrial paint and coating production processes. Cognis solutions also enable users of agrochemicals to reduce the concentrations of expensive and potentially harmful active ingredients, while maintaining or even improving the level of performance.