Symrise launches eco-certified active

ingredient on sustainable ticket

By Simon Pitman, 26-Jun-2009

Related topics: Formulation & Science, Skin Care

Germany-based ingredients manufacturer Symrise is ramping up its eco credentials

with the launch of its newly Ecocert-certified active containing an ethically sourced
ingredient.

One of the principle ingredients in the SymRelief formulation is alpha-bisabolol, which, when
combined with other ingredients in the formula, creates an active helps alleviate skin
irritation.

Alpha-bisabolol is derived from the oil of the candela plant, which grows in endangered
rainforests in Brazil. The company says that it has been investing for a number of years now
in Brazil to ensure that its supplies of alpha-bisabolol are from sustainable sources.

The candela plant grows in the southeastern and centre western regions of Brazil; areas of
highland rainforests that have increasingly come under threat from large-scale logging and
land clearance for farming.

Candela plant under threat from deforestation

This deforestation has put the future of both the candela plant itself and its habitat in danger,
which in turn has put pressure on manufacturers sourcing this kind of plant extract to ensure
that sustainable practices are put in place.

As one of the largest international suppliers of alpha-bisabolol, Symrise has been developing
crops from farmed plants, ensuring that the supplies are sustainable and that they do not have
a negative impact on the environment.

To help with this aim, Symrise’s Brazilian partners have contributed towards the
Universidade Federal de Lavras, an educational institute in the southern Mina Gerias state that
devotes its resources to promoting sustainable farming and land use throughout Brazil.

Eco-certification endorses sustainable efforts

Now all of these investments are paying off in the form of eco-certification, which the
company received for its SymRelief active last month, an achievement that also endorses its
sustainable sourcing of alpha-bisabolol.

“Sustainability has been a major priority at Symrise for years, and we live by it and
implement it consistently,” said Helmut Frieden, VP for product safety, health and
environmental compliance at Symrise.
“Conserving natural resources and being economical in our use of energy and water are all
part of our sustainability strategy.”

Symrise to restructure business

Last month Symrise announced that it was restructuring its business in the light of poor
financial results caused by the global economic downturn.

The company said it is closing a production facility in Spain as part of the restructuring plan,
with the ultimate aim of improving the company’s bottom line.

Although sales remained stable for the first quarter of 2009, profits for the fragrance and
flavour supplier dropped 16 per cent compared to last year’s quarter.
Symrise buys into North Africa and Middle
East
By Guy Montague-Jones, 19-Nov-2009

Related topics: Financial

Symrise has acquired fragrance and flavours maker Futura Labs to tap into
opportunities in the fast growing regions of North Africa and the Middle East.

Futura Labs specialises in flavours and natural extracts for the food and beverage industry,
and also produces perfume oils fine fragrance, cosmetic and household products.

Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed but Symrise did reveal that Futura Labs
achieved sales of $15.1 last year and has “an excellent track record” in sale growth and
profitability.

Fast growth

With production facilities in Cairo and Dubai, Futura Labs is operating in some of the fastest
growing regions of the world. By acquiring the company Symrise plans to take a lead in these
dynamic markets.

“Our long term plans for Middle East and Africa regions are to become market leader in the
fields of flavorings and beverage compounds for the whole food and beverages industry,” said
Symrise spokesperson Bernhard Kott.

Futura Labs has historically focused on beverage flavours and compounds that it
manufactures for soft drink and dry beverage applications. In 2002, the company built and
opened a facility in Dubai dedicated to the production of aseptic beverage ingredients.

The business move has been rewarded as the financial crisis of the last year has had little
impact on soft drink sales in the Middle East and Africa. Euromonitor research manager Alice
Diepenbrock picked out these regions as the most promising emerging markets for soft drinks
at Drinktec in Munich this year.

Business direction

Growth opportunities are plentiful in beverages but Symrise said it would also grow other
corners of the Futura Labs business. Kott said: “A strong focus of Futura Labs in the past was
related to beverage flavors and beverages compounds. But we at Symrise are committed to
grow all 3 major segments - beverages, sweet and savory.”

The acquisition is expected to be closed in the first quarter of 2010.

Symrise launches deodorant gentle on skin
and environment
By Leah Armstrong, 18-Sep-2009

Related topics: Formulation & Science

Germany-based ingredients supplier Symrise has launched a deodorant which claims to be

gentle on the skin and remain environmentally friendly.

Targets specific bacteria

Ravi Pillai, a spokesperson for Symrise, told Cosmetics Design that the company was very proud of
the capabilities of this new ingredient, called SymDeo B125 and claimed that the new product
introduced “a more innovative way of fighting body odour”.

The ingredient works by controlling the growth of free gram-positive bacteria, which are specifically
responsible for body odour. It also disrupts biofilm formed on the skin by c xerosis bacteria. Thus, by
targeting specific kinds of bacteria on the skin, it interferes less with the body itself and claims to be
gentler overall as a result.

The SymDeo ingredient is the result of an extensive R&D screening program that sought to find a
new method of deodorizing without using harsh ingredients.

Symrise said that the results of the deodorant in tests showed a significant reduction in body odour.
The efficacy of the product compares very well with triclosan, which is currently widely used as an
anti-bacterial ingredient in deodorants. Pillai said that it was important for Symrise to find an
alternative to triclosan, which has been receiving very negative representation in the press of late.

Environmental credentials
As well as being softer on the skin, the other main claimed benefit of symDeo B125 is the fact that it
is not an organochloride and is, as a result, much more environmentally friendly than most
deodorants currently on the market.

It is hoped with this launch that the company will make an impact on the deodorant market, using the
gentler, environmental properties of the product to benefit from the booming interest in
environmentally friendlier products. Pillai said that the combination of these two market areas was a
deliberate response from Symrise who wanted to meet market demands.
Symrise launches Ecocert approved active
ingredient on sustainable ticket
By Simon Pitman, 26-Jun-2009

Related topics: Formulation & Science, Skin Care

Germany-based ingredients manufacturer Symrise is ramping up its eco credentials

with the launch of its newly Ecocert approved active containing an ethically sourced
ingredient.

One of the principle ingredients in the SymRelief formulation is alpha-bisabolol, which, when
combined with other ingredients in the formula, creates an active helps alleviate skin
irritation.

Alpha-bisabolol is derived from the oil of the candeia tree, which grows in endangered
rainforests in Brazil. The company says that it has been investing for a number of years now
in Brazil to ensure that its supplies of alpha-bisabolol are from sustainable sources.

The candeia tree grows in the southeastern and centre western regions of Brazil; areas of
highland rainforests that have increasingly come under threat from large-scale logging and
land clearance for farming.

Candeia plant under threat from deforestation

This deforestation has put the future of both the candeia plant itself and its habitat in danger,
which in turn has put pressure on manufacturers sourcing this kind of plant extract to ensure
that sustainable practices are put in place.

As one of the largest international suppliers of alpha-bisabolol, Symrise has been developing
crops from farmed plants, ensuring that the supplies are sustainable and that they do not have
a negative impact on the environment.

To help with this aim, Symrise’s Brazilian partners have contributed towards the
Universidade Federal de Lavras, an educational institute in the southern Mina Gerias state that
devotes its resources to promoting sustainable farming and land use throughout Brazil.

Eco-certification endorses sustainable efforts

Now all of these investments are paying off in the form of Ecocert approval, which the
company received for its SymRelief active last month, an achievement that also endorses its
sustainable sourcing of alpha-bisabolol.

“Sustainability has been a major priority at Symrise for years, and we live by it and
implement it consistently,” said Helmut Frieden, VP for product safety, health and
environmental compliance at Symrise.
“Conserving natural resources and being economical in our use of energy and water are all
part of our sustainability strategy.”

Symrise to restructure business

Last month Symrise announced that it was restructuring its business in the light of poor
financial results caused by the global economic downturn.

The company said it is closing a production facility in Spain as part of the restructuring plan,
with the ultimate aim of improving the company’s bottom line.

Although sales remained stable for the first quarter of 2009, profits for the fragrance and
flavour supplier dropped 16 per cent compared to last year’s quarter.