BASF delivered its first shipment of biomass-balanced BMBCertTM 3-(dimethylamino)propylamine (DMAPA) in the Asia Pacific region to Galaxy Surfactants Ltd., manufacturer of specialty care and performance ingredients for the beauty, home care, and wellness markets. Galaxy Surfactants plans to use BASF’s BMBCertTM DMAPA to produce Galaxy CAPB SB for personal care applications, targeting a reduction in CO2 emissions compared to its existing products.
This milestone reflects Galaxy Surfactants’ broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) roadmap and its ambition to become a future-ready, low-carbon solutions provider. The company has been actively integrating sustainable raw materials and green chemistry practices. This is especially true in personal care and home care, where demand for eco-conscious formulations continues to grow.
Biomass-Balanced DMAPA: Sustainable Production at Scale
BASF produces ISCC PLUS and REDcert2-certified BMBCertTM DMAPA at its sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Geismar, Louisiana, USA. By replacing fossil feedstocks with certified renewable resources at the beginning of the value chain, BASF reduces the cradle-to-gate product carbon footprint (PCF). A corresponding amount of renewable content is attributed to the product through a mass balance approach.
Additionally, BASF leverages renewable electricity in the manufacturing of BMBCertTM DMAPA. This further lowers the PCF and reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainable intermediates for its customers.
Industry Leaders Emphasize Sustainability and Innovation
Avinash Nandanwar, Head of Sourcing and Sustainability at Galaxy Surfactants, said, “As a company committed to enabling responsible beauty and home care solutions, we are constantly evaluating ways to reduce our carbon footprint without compromising on product performance. This collaboration with BASF allows us to innovate with purpose and offer our customers sustainable, science-backed solutions like Galaxy CAPB SB, which meets the growing global demand for high-efficacy yet environmentally conscious formulations.”
Joachim Schmidt-Leithoff, Vice President of Business Management Amines, Acetylenics and Carbonyl Derivatives, Intermediates Asia Pacific, BASF, added, “We are excited about the progress we have made in our sustainability partnership with Galaxy Surfactants. This aligns perfectly with our vision of being the preferred partner for sustainable intermediates for our customers.”
Galaxy CAPB SB: A Versatile, Eco-Friendly Surfactant
Galaxy CAPB SB is cocamidopropyl betaine, a versatile amphoteric liquid surfactant widely used in personal care formulations. It offers exceptional biodegradability, foaming, foam enhancement, and foam stability. In hair care, it reduces static and build-up, facilitates styling, and ensures a flyaway-reducing experience. It also finds applications in bath and shower products, including body washes, shower gels, liquid soaps, and bubble baths.
DMAPA: A Key Building Block for Mild and Sustainable Products
DMAPA, highly biodegradable, is a critical building block for betaines, which are used to produce mild liquid soaps, shampoos, and dishwashing detergents. It also contributes to water treatment, plant protection products, lubricant additives, polyurethane foams, and epoxy resin hardeners. Notably, DMAPA ensures that shampoos are gentle on skin and do not sting the eyes. BASF is among the world’s leading DMAPA producers, with production sites in Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America. The company boasts a total capacity of 70,000 metric tons per year.
Driving the Future of Sustainable Chemistry
According to the press release, BASF delivered biomass-balanced DMAPA to Galaxy Surfactants. This move highlights their shared commitment to sustainability, innovation, and carbon reduction. Both companies are integrating renewable feedstocks and green manufacturing practices. This contributes to the shift toward low-carbon, environmentally responsible personal care and home care products in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.
