Obtained from the candeia tree, a sustainable supply of candeia oil cannot be guaranteed any more and so the company will be focusing on producing dragonsantol and dragosantol 100, ingredients similar to bisabolol.
Social responsibility
According to Symrise, the decision has been taken in consideration of its corporate social responsibility strategy, which has included only selling natural bisobolol from sustainable sources.
“As the largest supplier of alpha-bisabolol, we are well aware of our responsibility and clearly commit ourselves to safeguarding the Brazilian rainforest,” says Véronique Maurin, Global Product Director Cosmetic Ingredients at Symrise.
“For us, this means making an active contribution to society and the environment.”
Saving the planet
Alpha-bisabolol is a soothing ingredient used in personal care product formulations for sensitive skin and hair and for baby care.
The natural active substance is derived from the oil of the candeia tree (Vanillosmopsis erythropappa), which grows in the southeast and mid-West of Brazil in the Mata Atlantica forest.
The tree is under threat in Brazil because its natural environment is constantly shrinking. Around 20,000 m³ of candeia wood is needed every year to cover global demand for candeia oil, according to an estimate by LAVRAS University.
Symrise claims to be the leading manufacturer of synthetic alpha-bisabolol with its Dragosantol and Dragosantol 100 products.
Likewise, apparently Dragosantol 100 is the purest synthetic alpha-bisabolol on the market and the best alternative to natural bisabolol.