Synthetic ingredients

Maximum impact with a minimal footprint

Florals, musks, ambers, woods, greens … Our unique and impactful synthetics have been empowering creators since 1895. In fact, many of them represent iconic milestones in our industry’s history. And today, we fuse our world-renowned expertise in biotechnology with green chemistry principles, for more sustainable ingredient innovation.

In doing so, we discover new molecules. Develop innovative production processes that minimize our environmental footprint. And continue building our Ingredients legacy for the benefit of perfumers, customers and consumers, and planet Earth and everyone who calls it home.

“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, VP Discovery Chemistry and Development Chemical & Process Sciences

Science and Technology, Touch Interaction, Human Machine Interface.

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Creating an icon

Our fast-growing list of iconic molecules is the cornerstone of dsm-firmenich’s success. Many of our historical breakthroughs are still success stories – continuously improved to keep exceeding current safety and sustainability standards. And we're always on the scent of exciting new firsts, bringing perfumery progress to life.

Of course, behind the creation of every dsm-firmenich molecule is a talented team dedicated to tackling any technical or aesthetic challenge. Together, our scientists, creators, regulatory specialists, and more all collaborate to screen and rigorously test more than 2,000 new molecules every year. We have such high standards that only three or four are finally approved – earning their place in our fragrance and taste creative palettes.

Exceptional florals, 3 decades in the making

Meet Beyond Muguet, our unrivaled collection of fresh, transparent floral notes. After more than 30 years of groundbreaking exploratory work to discover novel muguet molecules, our creative geniuses and genius creators have developed a multi-dimensional palette of impactful and inspiring floral ingredients, enhancing naturality and freshness and elevating compositions to the next level.

But there’s more: our Beyond Muguet notes are made in accordance with green chemistry. As a result, they boast an excellent sustainability performance: as well as being predominantly biodegradable, they maximize production efficiency and minimize hazardous effects on the health of people and the environment.

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A century of molecular mastery to entice and excite

At dsm-firmenich, we can look back on 125 years of pioneering breakthroughs in our industry. Every step leads to another – but always with a smaller footprint.

Committed to transparency

Pioneering extraordinary ingredients sustainably: that's the heart of our approach to innovation. Making a positive impact is integral to our vision of the science of the future.

That's why we developed our innovative EcoIngredient Compass®. Using the lenses of renewable carbon, biodegradability, and green chemistry, this tool enables our customers to evaluate the intrinsic qualities of every dsm-firmenich molecule accurately and transparently.

Explore our synthetics catalog

Renewable carbon

Green chemistry principle 7

Ingredients containing more than 50% carbon from renewable sources.

ISO 16128

Biodegradability

Green chemistry principle 10

Ingredients that are biodegradable:

Readily (≥60% within 28 days and from 10 to 60% within 10 days)
Ultimately (≥60% within 60 days)
Partially (20 to 60% within 60 days)

OECD guidelines

Green score

Green chemistry principles 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, & 12

Covering most of the remaining green chemistry principles, including carbon atom economy, importance of catalysis steps, and all aspects of hazardousness.

Close up Bare Hand of a Man Covering Small Flowers at the Garden with Sunlight Between Fingers.

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Leading the biotechnology revolution

Our biotechnology expertise means we can provide multiple benefits to our value chain. We deliver exceptional ingredients from sustainable sources. We find new ways to produce complex molecules using renewable processes. And we can even discover unknown compounds or create entirely new naturals.

Since 2014, we’ve realized many remarkable breakthroughs. Now, we’re accelerating them to transform how we operate – using approaches like reading and writing DNA, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and supercomputer data analysis and modeling. Think that sounds exciting? We couldn’t agree more.

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A game-changer in renewable carbon

Our acquisition of DRT (Les Dérivés Résiniques et Terpéniques) in 2020 marked a huge step forward for our Ingredients activities, making dsm-firmenich a leader in the development of high-quality, renewable, naturally derived ingredients.

Why? Because 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 beyond. It’s all supported by our strong business model, based on robust supply chain integration for optimal efficiency, quality, and reliability.

Ingredients catalog

Learn more about our ingredients for perfumery.

Perfumery ingredients