AGS becomes a founding member of the World Castor Sustainability Forum

We are thrilled to announce that AGS Group has become a member of the World Castor Sustainability Forum (WCSF). This significant step aligns with our commitment to provide a sustainability and transparency to our customers.

Championing Sustainability
The WCSF is a global initiative dedicated to promoting the sustainable cultivation and utilization of castor seeds. As a founding member, AGS Group continues to lead by example to further drive industry-wide changes that will ensure a more sustainable future across industries and our planet. Our managing director, Stefan Krueger, stated the following about this special and significant event, “Joining WCSF represents more than transparency for our technologies, it creates dialogue and is an open invitation for others to gain a greater desire to pursue environmental stewardship, responsible sourcing, and to support the communities and regions that have given us so much. Because sustainability is about your actions — today, tomorrow, and onwards — it is far more than just nice words and marketing claims.”

The Importance of Castor
Castor oil, derived from castor seeds, is a vital component in many of our technologies, including BIOPURE MM1. Our innovative textile pre-treatments and finishing agents rely on the unique properties of castor oil to deliver superior performance while delivering the most sustainable solution on the market, today. By supporting regenerative castor farming, we can ensure a reliable supply of this critical ingredient while minimizing environmental impact and protecting a region that fights against the challenges of climate change.

The castor plant is truly unique, in that it require so little in input, to provide so much in output. The castor plant is resilient in fighting and enduring climate change. It is ideal for marginal lands in arid and semi-arid climates. The hearty root system prevents soil erosion that otherwise can easily occur. It does not displace food crops, is water efficient, drought resistant, tolerant of water salinity and soil acidity.

The castor seed consists of 45–55% oil. This essential oil produced from the castor offers unequalled versatility and capability. The oil is uniquely cost effective, highly productive, and resource efficient. It is a crucial bio-based raw material. The natural capabilities of the castor oil to provide durable performance combined with the low application requirements, pushes the level of sustainability even further.

Because sustainability is about your actions — today, tomorrow, and onwards — it is far more than just nice words and marketing claims.

A Collaborative Effort
Joining the WCSF allows us to work together with other industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to support the development and implementation of regenerative agriculture practices for castor cultivation. This collaborative effort aims to enhance the livelihoods of farmers, provide education, improve the environmental footprint of castor farming, and promote the overall sustainability of the castor oil supply chain.

Our Commitment
At AGS Group, sustainability is more than a buzzword—it’s a core value that drives our innovation and operations. Becoming a founding member of the WCSF underscores our commitment to integrating sustainable practices into every aspect of our business. We believe that by working together with other stakeholders, we can create a positive impact on the environment and the communities involved in castor cultivation.

Looking Ahead
As we embark on this exciting journey with the WCSF, we look forward to sharing our progress and insights with you. Together, we can make a difference and set a newer and higher standard for the sustainability of plant-based chemicals and for the textile industry as whole.

Stay tuned for additional updates on our other initiatives and our continued efforts in advancing and supporting the responsible use of sustainable castor alongside the other members of the WCSF.

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