FIRMENICH UNITES ITS PERFUMERS AND NATURALSTOGETHER™ PRODUCERS TO CO-CREATE THE FUTURE OF NATURALS

Geneva, Switzerland April 4, 2019 – Firmenich, the world’s largest privately-owned perfume and taste company, united its global team of creative perfumers with its NaturalsTogether™ producers to co-create the future of naturals. The Group identified Ingredient Innovation and Sustainable Production as key priorities to deliver positive emotions for consumers with the natural ingredients they love, from jasmine, rose and lavender to eucalyptus, myrrh and cardamom.

“Since 2014 Firmenich works with its NaturalsTogether™ partners to offer its customers privileged and sustainable access to responsible and high-quality natural ingredients. The community has been driving continuous innovation across its diverse network of best-in-class producers, all committed to shaping an extraordinary palette,” stated Dominique Roques, Vice President, Naturals Partnerships.

“Last night, we took a holistic look at naturals, from supply and sustainability to creation and fragrance delivery. When you get the people who extract the ingredients together with the people who invent their use, it’s simply magic,” added Odile Pelissier, Vice President Creation Development & Innovation, Perfumery.

Two main priorities were identified to further strengthen Firmenich’s unique approach to naturals:

• Ingredient Innovation: Combining its perfumers’ unique applicative vision with the farming expertise of its NaturalsTogether™ partners, Firmenich identified opportunities to build innovation across its sourcing process to enhance its raw materials.


• Sustainable Production: Taking its responsible sourcing to the next level, Firmenich is committed to securing the future of its naturals palette through sustainable solutions, new techniques and next-generation strategies.

“By sharing with producers, we can work together to improve the olfactive qualities of ingredients including bergamot, orange blossom, sandalwood or jasmine, from the farm to the flacon. We can discover new ingredients for our formulas,” said perfumer and Director Natural Product Innovation, Fabrice Pellegrin.

“We have been sourcing jasmine responsibly since 1991,” explained Vasanth Venkatasamy, CEO of Jasmine Concrete. “Having this opportunity to discuss olfactive qualities, benefits and new ideas with the perfumers who keep our ingredients top of mind for so many consumers each day is incredible.”

During this event, Firmenich recognized Jasmine Concrete, India’s leading producer of floral extracts, with its annual “Source and Soul Award.” Honored for its high quality ingredients and prestige, Jasmine has been a leader in responsible business for nearly three decades and stands out as one of the most advanced ethical and performing producers of natural ingredients worldwide.

 

About Jasmine Concrete

Based in the Tamil Nadu area, at the center of the Indian flower belt, Jasmine has a network of over 1000 jasmine flower farmers as well as access to the broadest range of flowers, including jasmine grandiflorum, sambac and tuberose, and spices, such as davana, champaca or vanilla. Jasmine supports sustainable livelihoods and contributes to local communities, via increased yields and qualities, volume commitments to advance payments and additional social support. A Firmenich Joint Venture partner since 2014, the group also advances sustainable agriculture principles, through innovative water management, soil protection and conversion to organic farming. For more information visit their website: www.jasmineindia.com

About NaturalsTogether^™

Launched in 2014, NaturalsTogether™ is a unique initiative led by Firmenich that focuses on involvement at source to sustainably secure the largest and most innovative palette of natural Ingredients for customers and their creations. Today, our natural palette includes over 250 botanical families sourced in over 40 countries, delivering over 500 naturals references for our perfumers and flavorists. We partner with best-in-class producers on breakthrough business models across supply, responsible sourcing and innovation, have developed several joint ventures and built Naturals Centers of Excellence in France, US and India. In addition, we interact with farming communities through our Deep Roots program to improve livelihood for small farmers, and have over 25 projects at source underway, directly involving many of our customers. For more information visit: www.firmenich.com/naturalstogether

About Firmenich

Firmenich is the world’s largest privately-owned company in the perfume and taste business, founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1895. Driven by its purpose to create positive emotions to enhance wellbeing, naturally, Firmenich has designed many of the world’s best-known perfumes and tastes, bringing delight to over four billion consumers every day. Renowned for its world-class research and creativity, as well as its leadership in sustainability, each year, Firmenich invests 10% of its turnover in R&D to understand and share the best that nature has to offer responsibly. Firmenich had an annual turnover of 3.7 billion Swiss Francs at end June 2018.