Symrise funds research on lavender sourcing

The relationship should result in more efficient ingredient sourcing in the prestigious the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region and a larger amount of oil at the end of the process.

Floral notes​
The Espieur harvesting system picks lavender flowers, not stems. “This considerably increases the quality of the essential oil as the scent is mainly concentrated in the blossoms,”​ according to a press release about the CRIEPPAM – Symrise partnership. 

“The Espieur oil smells more modern and contemporary. That makes it perfectly suited for sophisticated perfume creations. We are very lucky to have this quality in our palette,”​ Alexandra Carlin, fine fragrance perfumer at Symrise in Paris, said.

Calming​
Datamonitor research that links the stress of economic uncertainty to a consumer preference for calming products may bode well for the lavender market. “Focusing on non-artificial scents with naturally relaxing properties” ​could be a smart strategy for brands, explained Cosmetics Design​ in an article about the findings.

Spending and saving​
CRIEPPAM is already working to lower the amount energy used in Espieur harvesting and subsequent distillation. The partnership with Symrise ensures further funding of the research.

“Above all, this collaboration allows CRIEPPAM to involve perfumers as the end users of our research work. In turn, this enables a rapid and full adaptation to market expectations,” ​said Eric Chaisse, director of CRIEPPAM in the press release. 

“The financial contribution from Symrise also helps us to improve our self-financing,” ​explained Chaisse.

Ecology ​
“We are playing a key role in shaping the entire supply chain….By doing so, we aim to improve the footprint of important natural raw materials,”​ said Anne Cabotin, vice president of scent & care sustainability strategy at Symrise.

The company’s sustainability initiative includes “a long term goal of ensuring that 100 % of its strategic raw materials are sustainably sourced,”​ according to the press release. In the meantime, Symrise aims to lower its greenhouse gas emissions by 33 % in the next five years. 

Labelling lavender ​
Consumers, essential oil producers and regulators are all concerned that lavender may cause an allergic rash in some people, which would qualifies the oil as a chemical toxin by EU standards.

This year, new guidelines on required lavender labelling are expected from the EU. The regulations will “stipulate how warning labels on a range of products made with lavender oil must indicate that the oil is known to cause allergic reactions in certain people,” ​wrote Cosmetics Design​ in a recent article on farmers’ concerns about the coming directive.