“Growing Shift Toward Bio-Based and Sustainable Industrial Inputs”
- A significant and accelerating trend in the global castor oil market is the rising demand for bio-based and environmentally sustainable raw materials, especially across the chemical, personal care, and automotive industries. Castor oil is emerging as a preferred alternative to petroleum-based products due to its renewable nature, low carbon footprint, and versatile chemical properties
- For instance, in November 2023, Arkema announced the expansion of its castor-based Rilsan polyamide production in France, aimed at meeting surging global demand for high-performance bio-based materials in sectors such as electronics, automotive, and 3D printing. The project supports Arkema’s long-term commitment to sustainability and reinforces the industrial value of castor oil in performance polymers
- In the cosmetics and personal care industry, brands are increasingly incorporating castor oil into formulations due to its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. For instances, L'Oréal and The Body Shop have launched new hair and skin products featuring ethically sourced castor oil, catering to rising consumer demand for natural and clean-label ingredients
- The automotive and lubricants industry is also adopting castor oil-based esters and greases for high-performance applications due to castor oil’s superior viscosity and thermal stability. In May 2024, TotalEnergies introduced new biolubricant formulations using castor oil derivatives as part of its commitment to developing eco-friendly automotive solutions
- In addition, castor oil is gaining prominence in the bio-polymer and packaging industries. Companies such as BASF and Jayant Agro-Organics are investing in castor-based polyamides and coatings to meet demand for bio-degradable and high-strength materials used in electronics, textiles, and sustainable packaging
- This growing preference for natural, biodegradable, and performance-driven ingredients is fundamentally reshaping the role of castor oil across multiple sectors. Consequently, manufacturers are increasing investment in supply chain traceability, organic certification, and R&D for value-added castor derivatives, aiming to meet the dual consumer demand for performance and sustainability
