SUSTAINABLE PALM OIL AT NIVEA

Materials made from palm (kernel) oil are plant-based, and therefore renewable, and can be classified as naturally derived. Therefore, working with these materials can be an important step away from a fossil fuel-based economy and towards a more sustainable future.

Despite the valid controversy around cultivating palm oil, experts and NGOs (non-governmental organizations) agree that replacing palm (kernel) oil with another vegetable oil is not a reasonable solution. Other crops would require significantly more land for cultivation – and overall, this approach would be less sustainable.

NIVEA is involved in the sustainable transformation of the palm oil industry, which denounces deforestation, promotes ecological agricultural practices, respects biodiversity, and secures the livelihood of smallholder farmers.

First, the good news: since the end of 2020, 100 percent of the palm (kernel) oil-based ingredients used by NIVEA have been sustainably certified. We only use sustainably sourced palm (kernel) oil-based materials, based on the mass-balance model as defined by the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

NIVEA’s parent company, Beiersdorf, is an active member of the RSPO and helped initiate further national and international cross-industry associations. The shared objectives of these groups are to increase transparency within the palm oil industry and promote its sustainable transformation.

Transparency is the key to an effective and sustainable palm oil roadmap. That is why we work closely with our suppliers to trace the raw materials we use back to their sources. We have significantly increased the transparency of our palm oil supply chain, meaning we are aware of the origin of 92 percent of our purchasing volume for palm (kernel) oil-based raw materials.

Together with local partners, NIVEA’s parent company, Beiersdorf, works with smallholders on the ground, promotes cultivation without further deforestation, and contributes to improving the living standard and economic situation of local communities. With our commitment in the Indonesian region of West Kalimantan, not only do we support 240 smallholders directly, but an additional three local villages with around 4,500 inhabitants benefit from our project as well.

Our efforts have already been recognized: NIVEA’s parent company, Beiersdorf, participates annually in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). The international non-profit organization recognizes strong performance in managing and reporting on key environmental topics, including forest stewardship.

Building on our holistic contributions to a sustainable palm oil industry, we managed to secure an “A-” score in 2020.