Shaping tomorrow’s fragrances with science and technology
Giving fragrance products the edge
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To give our customers’ fragrance products the edge, our Science and Technology team works determinedly to develop new ingredients to create new olfactive signatures.
Ingredient Centres of Excellence
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Ingredient Centres of Excellence (Zurich and Shanghai)
Our scientists at our two research innovation centres in Zurich and Shanghai synthesise nearly 2,000 new molecules every year.
Only a small number of these end up in our perfumers’ palette, based on a rigorous selection process involving performance and tests for human and environment safety.
We have patented hundreds of new molecules and processes in the past 20 years. The team of engineers and scientists at our innovation centres enable us to provide novel molecules, leading to superior products for our customers and consumers.
Biotechnology
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Biotechnology
With a solid foundation in olfactory technology, our experts at the Zurich Centre of Innovation developed Ambrofix™, using biotechnology. Biotechnology holds enormous potential for carving out a more sustainable future for perfumery and for our planet. At Givaudan, it has already led to some extraordinary innovations.
Ambrofix™, one of the most widely used biodegradable fragrance ingredients, is produced using Givaudan’s breakthrough biotechnology which delivers identical olfactive qualities as the traditional method while being one of the most sustainable and carbon efficient on the market.
This new biotechnology starts with fermenting sustainably sourced sugarcane to produce Ambrofix™ which is readily biodegradable, 100% naturally derived while maintaining 100% renewable carbon.
“We are thrilled that this new biocatalytic process produces Ambrofix™ as a powerful, substantive and stable ambery note while aligning to Givaudan’s sustainability approach. With consumers increasingly seeking safe, high quality and sustainable products, our commitment to responsible innovation leverages our capabilities and expertise to develop fragrance molecules loved by people everywhere for a sustainable tomorrow.”
Jeremy Compton, Global Head of Fragrance Science and Technology
FiveCarbon Path™
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FiveCarbon Path™
The vital role that carbon atoms play in our industry is at the centre of our FiveCarbon Path™ vision. Every ingredient our Company creates is a complex mixture of carbons, acting as the key component of our ingredients.
Our FiveCarbon Path™ principles define five clear and measurable carbon-efficient dimensions unique in the fragrance industry for developing new molecules. This allows us to continuously improve our fragrance ingredients palette by using materials based on renewable carbon and improving processes to reduce carbon and energy input.
The approach helps us address regulatory challenges with products, has a significant impact on compaction and results in distinct ingredients with heightened performance:
- increasing our use of renewable carbon,
- maximising our use of biodegradable carbon,
- increasing carbon efficiency in synthesis,
- increasing the odour per carbon ratio and
- maximising our use of upcycled carbon.
The sustainable development of Ambrofix™, one of the greatest fruits coming from our research in innovation, is in accordance with the FiveCarbon Path™, where all carbon atoms in the bio-based starting material end up in the final product, resulting in zero carbon waste.
Biodegradability
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Biodegradability
We are pursuing our goal of increasing use of biodegradable ingredients, supported by research and testing at our internal Good Laboratory Practices (GPL)-certified testing facility in Vernier. This capability is unique in the fragrance industry and has been in place for over 20 years. Our environmental scientists currently conduct approximately 1,200 biodegradability tests a year.