Givaudan takes another step towards sustainable fragrance formulation

The new technology has been applied to the production of one of the most widely used biodegradable fragrance ingredient, Ambrofix.

According to the Givaudan development team, the technology is being used to deliver identical olifactive qualities as the traditional production method, while offering the most sustainable and carbon efficient ingredient of its kind on the market.

Targeting more sustainable fragrance formulation​

The move is part of a drive by the company’s fragrance division to create more sustainable and eco-friendly ingredients solutions, named Scentaurus, and follows on from the launch at the beginning of this year of a new family of fragrance precursors aimed at creating longer lasting and more sustainable scents.

The new biotechnology that is being used to produce Ambrofix involves fermenting sustainably sourced sugar cane to produce the ingredient, which the company says is 100% naturally derived, while also being 100% renewable carbon.

And because the technology can be used to produce the ingredient in a facility, the development team is also claiming that this new method requires 100 times less land to produce 1 kilogram of the ingredient, compared to the conventional method using traditional farming techniques.

Tapping into consumer demand for sustainability​

Ambrox is generically known as Ambroxide and was first discovered in the 1950s. It is synthesized from the slareol, which is a component of the essential oil of Clary Sage, a herbaceous plant native to the Northern Mediterranean Basin

“​This new biocatalytic process produces ​Ambrofix is a powerful, substantive and stable ambery note while aligning to Givaudan’s sustainability approach, A Sense of Tomorrow,” ​said Jeremy Compton, Global Head of Fragrance Science and Technology 

“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.”​

Scentaurus range targets sustainability

As reported by Cosmetics Design in February​, Givaudan’s new Scentaurus range is based on novel technology that means fragrance formulations can last longer, and is applicable across various categories including fabric, home and personal care.

The technology also offers a way to counteract habituation by signalling unique top notes during the life of the fragrance, suggests Givaudan, meaning a scent can evolve over time.

Givaudan says the new ingredient range offers sustainability benefits as well as function ones: “In addition to the clear olfactive benefit to fragrance compounds, Scentaurus was developed in line with our sustainability approach “A Sense of Tomorrow”, as a responsible innovation with a positive impact on the environment