L’Oréal has upped its game in the search for a sustainable source of murumuru butter, an ingredient said to lend strengthening and moisturizing properties to hair care ranges, according to a report published by European Supermarket Magazine.

The French beauty giant is forging partnerships with communities in Brazil in a bid to increase the ecological viability of this prized ingredient.

“For the supply of murumuru oil, L’Oréal has thus taken on commitment with regard to 240 families in the Bragança region to train them in harvesting practices as well as strengthen their technical abilities by way of new equipment, including solar panels, to help transform the seeds harvested into butter, hence the increasing their value and guaranteeing a better income for the local population,” said L’Oréal in a statement.

L’Oréal sources its murumuru oil from local firm Beraca and German Giz. On the launch of the French beauty giant’s Absolut Control range under the L’Oréal Professional banner in 2013, the Brazilian ingredients supplier was providing support to 100 families.