The German firm says the move will help it to address the growing demand for halal-certified ingredients in Maghreb, the Middle East and Asia.
In order to achieve the HAS 23000 standard, strict guidelines for raw material purchasing, manufacturing, filling, warehousing, and transport are followed along the entire value chain, to ensure product purity in compliance with Islamic law.
The Illertissen and Düsseldorf site is BASF’s largest production site for personal care ingredients, and had to undergo four audits to achieve the certified status.
“With our new halal-certified product portfolio we want to adequately respond to the needs of the muslim populations and offer products that are considered to be pure in accordance with Islamic Law,” says Dirk Mampe, Head of Business Management Personal Care Specialties Europe.
“Thus, we are able to better serve our customers in the predominantly Muslim countries of the Maghreb, the Middle East and Asia.”
The company’s portfolio of halal ingredients includes sugar-based surfactants, pearlizers, emollients and protein derivatives for personal care applications, such as facial cleansers or baby bubble baths.
These ingredients have been approved by Halal Control, Russelsheim, or the Halal Food Council of Europe, Brussels, which are both recognized by the Indonesian Council of Ulama (Majelis Ulama Indonesia) – a major umbrella association of Islamic quality management organizations.
Growing demand
According to market research institute TechNavio, the global market for halal-certified personal care products will continue to grow by 13.7% each year up to 2019.
The driving force behind the growing demand for halal products is Indonesia, as with over 200 million Muslims, it is home to a huge number of potential consumers of halal personal care products.
In 2014, Indonesia passed a law that will require all products to be labelled either halal or haram from 2019 onwards.
“Western consumers are also starting to request halal-certified products. The fact that halal products can be traced back through the entire value chain is important for them in terms of quality assurance,” adds Mampe. “In this light, we will continue to expand our portfolio of halal ingredients.”