KFDF: The Circularity of Partnerships
Challenges like inequality, climate change and biodiversity loss require a collaborative approach. Through supply chain partnerships, we’re connecting consumers to communities – creating shared value for generations to come.
Since the turbulent times of the early 2000’s when poaching and over-harvesting placed Indian sandalwood at threat, Australian sandalwood oil has been an important ingredient in the fragrance industry, positioned as a sustainable alternative for perfumers.
At the forefront of this shift was Givaudan, the world’s largest fragrance compounder, which embraced the oil for fragrance creation.
In 2017, 50% Indigenous-owned distiller Dutjahn Sandalwood Oils transformed this supply chain further. For the first time in the decades of use of Australian sandalwood oil, Aboriginal people - on whose native lands the endemic tree had flourished for millions of years – are leading the creation of a new, regenerative system of sandalwood production to ensure people and biodiversity can thrive.
Driven by a commitment to social justice and environmental protection, the company combines renewable, cultivated wood with trees managed by Indigenous communities.
Royalties on the sale of oil also flow back to traditional custodians through the K Farmer Dutjahn Foundation (KFDF) – an independent, Indigenous-led not-for-profit - empowering future custodians to care for their lands and prevent biodiversity loss. This unique model won Dutjahn Sandalwood Oils the United Nations Equator Prize as a global innovator working to combat planetary crises and forge a new economy.
For Givaudan, sourcing and creating with the oil means committing to the communities connected to it. In 2017 Dutjahn Sandalwood Oils and Givaudan formed a non-exclusive commercial partnership supporting Givaudan ambitions to responsibly source all of its raw materials, having its supply chain as part of its Sourcing4Good program. To grow community impact, Givaudan provides funding to the KFDF from the Givaudan Foundation – an independent not for profit that supports communities, echoing Givaudan’s newly launched brand identity, “Human by Nature”.
“A supply chain is much like an ecosystem, each link is interdependent,” said Clinton Farmer, Chair of KFDF.
“When a brand sources an ingredient, they are connected to that plant, that land and its people. This is more than an economic relationship, this is a partnership where brands can empower communities to deliver lasting, positive change – that’s a special thing.”
Last year KFDF’s seven projects benefitted 396 Martu, from young rangers experiencing country to students reimagining culture using virtual reality.
Western Desert Youth Ranger Program
Students at Wiluna Community School using VR
The Givaudan Foundation is one of several donors to the KFDF including Aesop and Estee Lauder. The KFDF welcomes new partners in its initiative.