The demand for sustainable beauty isn’t new, but it is stronger than ever! Consumers are becoming more informed, scrutinizing ingredient lists, and demanding transparency like never before. In fact, the focus has shifted from if we embrace sustainability to how we do it—and how we do it well.
That’s where the Sustainable Guar Initiative (SGI) comes in. Celebrating a decade of impact, SGI is more than a program, it’s a proven framework for transforming supply chains while empowering communities. For industry professionals, it represents an opportunity to craft exceptional products that not only meet rising consumer expectations but also drive meaningful change.
What is the Sustainable Guar Initiative?
In 2015, Syensqo partnered with a global beauty brand and the NGO TechnoServe to launch the Sustainable Guar Initiative. The goal? To create a self-reliant and inclusive guar supply chain by empowering local farmers—especially women—and promoting sustainable farming practices in Rajasthan, India. Later, the program expanded its impact by welcoming other key industry players, further solidifying its role as a collaborative effort to drive ethical sourcing.
This isn’t just about agriculture, it’s about building stronger supply chains that balance responsible sourcing, innovation, and community support. By focusing on four interconnected pillars—agronomic, market, environmental, and social—SGI ensures that guar farmers can thrive independently while delivering a sustainable raw material critical to the beauty industry.
Why Guar? The beauty of a nature-based polymer
So, what makes guar so special? For formulators, guar derivatives aren’t just another ingredient- it’s a versatile and essential naturally-derived polymer that aligns with modern beauty standards. Derived from the guar bean, it offers both high performance in various applications and a sustainable edge.
Whether you’re focusing on naturally-derived polymers for hair or skin or debating nature-based vs synthetic polymers, guar derivatives check all the boxes for forward-thinking formulations.
Transitioning from synthetic to bio-based materials isn’t just about meeting consumer demand, it’s about creating a more circular economy. By cautiously selecting the feedstock, leveraging natural polymers like guar can play a crucial role in combating the climate crisis.
Nature-based vs synthetic polymers: a strategic advantage
When creating innovative formulations, the choice between nature-based vs synthetic polymers can define your brand’s position in the market. While synthetic polymers offer stability and shelf life, they often come with environmental trade-offs.
Formulations based on naturally-derived polymers such as those found in Syensqo’s Jaguar® and Naternal® ranges, on the other hand, strike the perfect balance, while also being renewable. And thanks to the SGI, sourcing guar isn’t just about performance, it’s about building a supply chain that reflects the values of the modern beauty consumer.
For brands navigating the growing demand for transparency, choosing guar derivatives as a nature-based polymer represents both a functional and ethical advantage.
10 years of impact: How SGI is changing lives
Aside from being the first program of its kind to take a comprehensive approach to ethical guar sourcing, SGI’s achievements over the past decade are noteworthy. Here’s a snapshot of the highlights:
These milestones prove that sustainable beauty isn’t just a buzzword- it’s a movement that’s making a real difference, one guar bean at a time.
“The Sustainable Guar Initiative is built on mutual benefits—empowering local communities while driving responsible sourcing. As we step back to allow these communities to operate autonomously, the structures we’ve built together will stand as a testament to sustainability in action,” says Chloé.
The future is beautifully natural
As we celebrate 10 years of the Sustainable Guar Initiative, it’s clear that nature-based polymers from guar are the future of beauty. For formulators, they offer the opportunity to deliver exceptional product performance while aligning with consumer and regulatory demands for sustainability.
From reducing environmental impact to empowering farmers, this program demonstrates that ethical sourcing and innovative ingredients can go hand in hand. It’s a chance to innovate responsibly while setting new standards for the industry.
By celebrating the transformative power of naturally-derived polymers for cosmetics, we’re not only enhancing our products but also supporting a healthier, happier and greener world. And isn’t that what true beauty is all about?
Syensqo Fund
Discover how The Syensqo Fund supports the Sustainable Guar Initiative
We believe that sustainable beauty starts right at the source. Our Sustainable Guar Initiative is transforming the way guar is grown and woven into global supply chains.
