BASF to source macaúba oils

Under a newly signed, long-term supplier finance agreement, BASF will source macaúba kernel and pulp oil from Brazilian firm Inocas. The deal includes an R&D project, options to acquire equity shares and financing Inocas’ plans to expand production to industrial scale. 

The macaúba (Acrocomia aculeata) is native to Brazil and is adapted to semi-arid conditions and poor soils. Its fruits can be processed into oils and residual biomass. Inocas aims to plant at least 50,000 hectares of it in partnership with smallholder farmers by 2030.

BASF intends to use the kernel oil in its personal care and home care portfolio, with commercial pilot volumes available in 2025. The pulp oil will be used to obtain bio-naphtha, which then can be converted into polymers, solvents, detergents, lubricants, synthetic fibres, fuels and other products from 2027 onwards.