Innovators in nutrition, health and beauty. Read more about our new company at dsm-firmenich.com or continue here to read more on the incredible solutions and services that we offer.
SYNTHETICS
Maximum impact Minimal footprint
We have been pioneering unique and impactful synthetics that empower creators since 1895, including florals, musks, ambers, woods, and greens. Many of these represent iconic milestones in our industry.
For many years, we have fused our expertise in biotechnology with green chemistry principles to discover new molecules and develop innovative production processes that minimize our environmental footprint. We are extending our legacy for the benefit of perfumers and flavorists, customers, consumers and planet Earth.
“Nature is a much better chemist than we can ever be – it helps us decide what molecules to make and how to make them.”
Maud Reiter
DIRECTOR OF NEW INGREDIENTS DISCOVERY, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
TECHNOLOGY & AESTHETICS
What does it take to create an iconic molecule responsibly?
Our fast-growing list of iconic molecules is the cornerstone of Firmenich’s success. Many of our historical breakthroughs are still success stories – continuously improved to exceed current safety and sustainability standards. And we are consistently delivering new "firsts."
Creating every Firmenich molecule is a technical and aesthetic challenge – involving collaboration between our scientists, creators, regulators and other specialists. On average we screen and rigorously test more than 2,000 new molecules every year, of which only three or four are finally approved and added to our fragrance and taste creative palettes.
History
A century of iconic molecules to entice and excite
For 125 years, we have been pioneers in our industry. Every breakthrough we make leads to another – always with less impact on our planet and always more renewable.
Committed to transparency
Pioneering extraordinary ingredients sustainably is at the heart of our approach to innovation. Making a positive impact is integral to our vision of the science of the future.
Our EcoIngredient Compass™ enables our customers to evaluate the intrinsic qualities of every Firmenich molecule transparently and accurately through the lenses of renewable carbon, biodegradability and a green chemistry score. This innovative tool was inspired by EcoScent Compass™, which we already use for fragrance compositions.
“We create our molecules following green chemistry principles to maximize efficiency and minimize their impact on health and the environment.”
Gilles Oddon
SR VP SYNTHESIS AND PROCESS ENGINEERING, R&D.
SEMI-SYNTHESIS
Leading the biotechnology revolution
Firmenich is delivering multiple benefits through biotechnology: exceptional ingredients from sustainable sources, new ways to produce complex molecules using renewable processes, plus the capacity to find unknown compounds or create entirely new naturals.
Since 2014 we have pioneered many amazing breakthroughs, and now we are accelerating them to transform how we operate. They include reading and writing DNA, AI and machine learning, supercomputer data analysis and modeling.
We are proud of our growing palette of renewable biotech solutions and truly excited about the future.
SEMI-SYNTHESIS
Leading the renewable carbon revolution
With the acquisition of DRT (Les Derivés Resiniques et Terpeniques) in 2020 Firmenich has become a leader in the development of high-quality, renewable and naturally-derived ingredients.
With access to sustainable raw materials, best-in-class extraction and distillation capabilities and highly innovative processes, our chemists have everything they need to create breakthrough renewable ingredients for perfumery and many other applications.
Our strong business model is based on supply chain integration.
