Earthoil has responded to increased global demand for sustainably sourced ingredients with the launch of an organic, fair trade (Fair For Life), sugar cane-derived alternative to petro-ethanol.
The latest addition to Earthoil’s portfolio is produced sustainably from organic sugar cane at a family owned facility in the San Antonio region of Brazil. Using technology designed to maintain the ecological and social harmony of the surrounding environment, the ethanol is grown, harvested and processed according to a tightly controlled, holistic system.
A crucial part of this approach is the elimination of crop burning prior to harvesting. By replacing this traditional — but environmentally damaging — step with biological pest controls, soil rotation and conservation techniques, the biodiversity in the region benefits and manufacturing advantages are gained. Sugar yields are also more than 20% higher on average compared with the local non-organic alternative. The recovered sugar is then fermented into ethanol, triple distilled and filtered.
Equally important to the ethical platform of Earthoil’s ethanol is its support for the local economy and community. A potential drop in employment due to mechanisation of the sugar cane harvest is addressed with a training programme designed to lead to a recognised qualification, which enables manual workers to be redeployed within the company. The social and educational needs of children are also met through a local weaving project set up to build citizenship and develop professional skills.
'Denatured ethanol is an essential and trusted component of a huge number of fragrance compositions,' comments Richard Eyles, Senior Business Development Manager at Earthoil. 'It is used as a fresh, clean, neutral base to create scents across personal care categories, as well as build complex fine fragrances. So with consumers continuing to favour organic and natural products in these sectors, it makes commercial sense to offer formulators a way to respond to this trend using a quality ingredient.'
Earthoil’s Organic FFL Ethanol is denatured and exported to Europe and available in IBC packs.
