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Read the full 2026 Fragrance Leaders & Newsmakers issue here.
*Commentary courtesy of dsm-firmenich
- 2025 Perfumery & Beauty business sales: 3,760 million euros
- Dual headquarters: Maastricht, the Netherlands/Kaiseraugst, Switzerland
dsm-firmenich
With a vertically integrated supply chain and one of the industry’s most comprehensive ingredient palettes, the business combines creativity, science, and scale to meet evolving consumer expectations.
As fragrance evolves beyond scent alone, P&B is focused on delivering solutions that are not only immersive and high-performing, but also sustainable and connect more deeply with consumers.
Reinventing Fragrance Creation and Experience Through Technology
New technologies are transforming not only how fragrances are created, but how they are experienced and that is where we see some of the most exciting opportunities today.
For example, digital eco-design tools, such as EcoScent Compass, integrate sustainability insights directly into the perfumer’s creative process, guiding informed decisions from ingredient selection through to the final formulation. By making environmental data accessible at the point of creation, perfumers are better equipped to explore new ideas while considering sustainable impact from the outset.
Meanwhile, immersive experiences bring fragrance innovation to life. Platforms such as Sensorium—presented for customers across Asia—and exhibitions like the House of Musks presented in Paris, Shanghai and more, translate complex science into multisensory storytelling, strengthening collaboration with brands and offering new ways to experience fragrance innovation beyond the lab.
In Beauty & Care, technology is also bridging the gap between science and consumer understanding. Our proprietary 3D Skin Mapping technology, launched in 2025, bridges scientific data and consumer language to help customers develop science-backed, winning solutions.
Younger consumers, particularly Gen Z, are reshaping fragrance consumption through social media–driven discovery, the rise of niche brands, and growing interest in emotional well-being and functional scent.dsm-firmenich
Expanding the Ingredient Palette
Advances in green chemistry, biotechnology and ingredient engineering are continuously expanding the creative possibilities of the perfumery palette.
Innovative molecules such as Amberever and Amberever Neo provide powerful ambery scents, whereas Heliobliss pairs intense olfactive qualities with excellent biodegradability. Initially found as an unexpected by-product during exploratory research, Heliobliss not only paved the way for Mimosal, but also inspired the creation of roughly 60 related structural analogues and Josenol.
These high-performance ingredients enable perfumers to use less material for equivalent performance, whilst reducing the fragrance’s footprint and advancing eco-design principles.
Ingredient discovery is also increasingly guided by life cycle assessment (LCA) insights and circular innovation principles. By designing ingredients for high impact at lower dosage and complementing these with biotechnology solutions such as Clearwood Prisma, perfumers can create expressive fragrances while contributing to a reduced environmental footprint - without compromising quality or performance.
Responding to Evolving Consumer Expectations
Fragrance today is about more than scent alone: it’s becoming a medium for emotion, identity and connection. Younger consumers, particularly Gen Z, are reshaping fragrance consumption through social media–driven discovery, the rise of niche brands, and growing interest in emotional well-being and functional scent.
dsm-firmenich is responding through neuroscience-driven innovation and personalization. Digital consumer engagement tools make discovery more intuitive, while AI- and data-enabled platforms support more tailored, emotionally resonant creations aligned with evolving need states.
A key example is emotiOn Social Connection, launched in 2025. Harnessing the power of science to push the boundaries of fragrance creation, our emotiOn program draws on more than 30 years of neuroscientific research and academic partnerships to addresses the growing trend of emotional well-being, deepening the scientific understanding of how specific scents can be linked to emotional responses.
Embedding Sustainability Across the Value Chain
Sustainability is not treated as an add-on, but as a core element of how P&B creates.
In 2025, we reached a major milestone: 100% of our Perfumery and Beauty & Care ingredients have a product carbon footprint available, based on Life Cycle Assessment. Every ingredient in this scope now carries a complete sustainability assessment profile. Much more than a target achieved, this comprehensive data is the foundation of our decarbonization journey.
Progress is also being made toward long-term goals, including 90% ultimate biodegradability for washable products and responsible sourcing of key natural ingredients. The company’s Due Diligence framework, audited and recognized by the Fair Labor Association, supports transparency and continuous improvement across the naturals value chain. In recent years, on-site due diligence has expanded across key P&B naturals, alongside growth in certifications that enhance supplier collaboration and performance.
Initiatives such as the Naturals Perfumers Council are designed to strengthen dialogue between sourcing and creation, supporting responsible, transparent and scalable approaches to naturals over time.
With our integrated expertise in science, sustainability, creativity and emotional insight, dsm-firmenich is well positioned to guide the fragrance industry toward more immersive, responsible and human-centered experiences.dsm-firmenich
Regional Relevance, Global Scale
Regional preferences are also playing an increasingly important role in global fragrance strategy. While global brands continue to seek consistency and scale, growth is increasingly driven by highly localized expressions—particularly in Asia—where cultural nuance and olfactive preferences shape success.
By combining global innovation platforms with deep regional expertise, dsm-firmenich is able to respond with speed, relevance, and authenticity. Close collaboration between local teams and global creation hubs allows insights from specific markets to influence fragrance development, helping brands adapt quickly while maintaining a coherent global identity.
The Future of Fragrance
We believe that the future of fragrance will be defined by richer, more layered emotional experiences, with fragrances that are designed to offer subtle benefits, enhancing mood, presence, and a sense of well-being.
At the same time, consumer expectations are shifting. Rather than targeting broad demographic groups, brands will increasingly use AI and personalization to meet the preferences and values of communities defined by shared needs.
Consumers are also making more deliberate choices, which encourages fragrances that range from gentle, second-skin scents to bold, expressive compositions, supported by advanced ingredients and expert perfumery.
Advances in AI, neuroscience, and ingredient innovation will continue to expand what is possible.
Bringing Progress to Life
With our integrated expertise in science, sustainability, creativity and emotional insight, dsm-firmenich is well positioned to guide the fragrance industry toward more immersive, responsible and human-centered experiences.
Through innovative ingredients, digital tools, and personalized approaches, the focus remains on creating fragrances that matter - for consumers, for customers, and for the world they live in.
