BASF Invests in Chinese Personal Care Ingredients Company

On September 2, BASF announced on its website that it has formed an innovation partnership and signed a cooperation agreement with Chinese startup Ingredi, which includes BASF's strategic equity investment in Ingredi.

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Although traditional Chinese herbs are well known to consumers, the application of herb-related botanical actives is still a new trend in the personal care industry and continues to grow rapidly.

Founded in 2017, Ingredi reportedly focuses on the development and production of innovative, highly active and sustainable botanical ingredients obtained from species native to the Pan-Himalayan region to provide innovative natural active ingredients and total market solutions for the personal care industry.

Ingredi is said to be rapidly expanding its business based on a strong R&D platform and in-house testing facilities. According to its website, it now has a traceable green ingredient supply chain starting from cultivation and a 1,200 square meter class 100,000 cleanroom. BASF's equity investment will be used to continue the expansion of its production line.

BASF says this partnership will allow BASF to use its expertise to find and commercialize new solutions to the global personal care market by applying these actives in personal care formulations.

Dr. Zhou Ji, Chairman and Founder of Ingram Bio China, said, "We are honored to be recognized by BASF as such a valuable industry partner. The cooperation with BASF will help us benefit from BASF's industry experience and from the expertise of both parties." Dr. Robert Parker, Director of New Business Development and Digital Officer, BASF Care Chemicals, said, "BASF is committed to providing innovative solutions for the personal care market and building an ecosystem of partners that support our customers. We are proud to partner with Inger Bio to grow our business and achieve mutual benefits."

The partnership between BASF and Ingredi is another example of BASF's Care Chemicals division's efforts to meet the challenges of the future. Sustainability, digitalization, innovation and a new collaborative approach are the key building blocks of Care 360° - the solution for sustainable living.