Palmless has launched its first consumer ready ingredient, announcing the release of Torula oil, which is suitable for use in beauty products.
Palm oil is a widely-used ingredient in many consumer products including food, cosmetics, and cleaning products. However, the production of palm oil has been linked to deforestation, habitat destruction and human rights abuses. As a result, there has been growing interest in developing sustainable and environmentally-friendly alternatives to palm oil.
Created by Bill Gates-backed, New York-based start-up C16 Biosciences, Palmless is made using a proprietary fermentation process that uses microorganisms to convert waste carbon dioxide (CO2) into a sustainable oil. Unlike palm oil, which is derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree, Palmless is produced using sustainable and renewable processes, and does not require any land, water or fertilisers to grow.
The company’s first consumer-ready ingredient, Torula oil, is a ‘biodesigned’ oil that will be used in beauty products. The first iteration will be a limited edition skin and hair oil called ‘Save the F*cking Rainforest’, which combines Torula oil with other skin-nourishing ingredients.
Palmless can be used as a drop-in replacement for palm oil in a wide range of applications, including food, cosmetics, and industrial products. The company claims that Palmless has a similar fatty acid profile and functionality to palm oil, but with a significantly smaller environmental footprint.
ADD WORKGROUP