Unilever and Nufarm - innovative partnerships to Revolutionize Cleaning Products

Unilever and Nufarm have announced a groundbreaking multi-million Euro partnership to develop and commercialize a 'crop of the future' that will produce sustainable oils for use in cleaning and personal care products, marking a significant step towards reducing reliance on petrochemical-based ingredients.

Global consumer goods giant Unilever has joined forces with agricultural innovator Nufarm in a pioneering initiative to transform the cleaning products industry. This strategic partnership aims to cultivate crops with significant biomass to produce sustainable oils, which will serve as a source of fatty acids - a core base ingredient for Unilever's laundry detergents and beauty and personal care products

The collaboration focuses on developing a new, commercially viable variety of energy cane that can produce biomass oil using the entire plant, including leaves and stems. This breakthrough technology represents a departure from traditional plant oil production, which typically relies on seeds and fruits

Key aspects of the partnership include:

1. Biotechnology Innovation: The project will leverage recent advancements in biotechnology to optimize and cultivate the new crop, potentially contributing to Unilever's greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals
2. Sustainability Benefits: The new crop aims to replicate and build upon the sustainability benefits of energy cane, such as climate stress tolerance, drought resistance, and improved soil protection against erosion
3. Circular Economy Approach: The initiative emphasizes a zero-waste approach, with plans to utilize all parts of the crop. In addition to biomass oil, the crop will produce sugar for other biotechnology processes, and the remaining plant fiber could be used for packaging materials and renewable energy production
4. Alignment with Corporate Goals: This partnership supports Unilever's ambition to reach net zero emissions across its value chain by 2039 and aligns with its Clean Future strategy to eliminate fossil fuel-based chemicals from cleaning products
5. Industry Impact: The collaboration sets a new standard for sustainability in the consumer goods sector and highlights the potential of cross-industry partnerships in addressing environmental challenges.

Key Takeaways:

1. Unilever and Nufarm partner to develop a 'crop of the future' for sustainable oil production.
2. The initiative aims to replace fossil fuel-derived ingredients with plant-based alternatives in cleaning and personal care products.
3. Biotechnology innovations will be used to optimize crop yield and sustainability benefits.
4. The partnership supports Unilever's goal of reaching net zero emissions across its value chain by 2039.
5. This collaboration demonstrates the power of cross-industry partnerships in driving sustainable innovation.

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Article by Euisung Lee, Asuene Global Business team. Asuene Global Business team, the global sustainability intelligence team at Asuene, acts as the guidepost through the evolving landscape of corporate sustainability. The Asuene Global Business team identifies emerging trends and regulations in decarbonization, climate policy, and broader ESG matters. This knowledge is translated into actionable insights through white papers, articles, webinars, and regular updates on our website and social media.