German firm develops bioactives for cosmetics from Vietnam’s rambutan

Hanoi (VNA) - German group BASF has launched new rambutan-derived bioactives from by-products, offering a host of opportunities for cosmetics firms in Vietnam and benefiting the local rural community.

These first materials have produced through the programme “rambutan plant development” of BASF - an initiative on socially and environmentally responsible supply chain, towards producing bioactives from raw materials in Vietnam.

The company has been working with its Vietnamese partners since 2015 to harness the cosmetic potential of the tropical fruit as part of its rambutan programme.

The initiative connects BASF, local farmers, scientists and non-governmental organisations, aiming to form a responsible supply chain.

The ramburan fruit itself is rich in iron, Vitamin C, fibres and antioxidants. The company also found that by-products such as rinds and seeds are just as valuable.

The project in Vietnam helps ensure safer working conditions, fair income, health insurance and gender equality for local rambutan growers.

BASF also established a team, which is supported by the Centre for Rural Economic Development (CRED) - a nonprofit organisation specialising in developing livelihoods for poor and disadvantaged groups in Vietnam. The team works to maintain rambutan gardens, harvest raw materials and prepare them for extraction of bioactive ingredients.

According to global cosmetics market analysts, the demand of consumers in developed countries for natural cosmetic products increases 20 percent, even 50 percent annually. In Vietnam, each people can spend about 4 USD for cosmetics a year.

Vietnam becomes a potential market for foreign cosmetics firms. The project opens up opportunities for Vietnamese cosmetics brands to learn experience from international firms, thus promoting their development.-VNA