Taste and smell are intricately entwined senses. They have a decisive role to play in our lives, influencing our taste for food, our ability to distinguish pleasant or unpleasant substances, as well as our sense of wellbeing and even our socialization. And they have a key role in driving more sustainable lifestyles.

Firmenich is the world’s biggest privately-owned fragrance and taste company. Its ingredients are consumed by four billion consumers around the world in their foods, beverages, fragrances and home or body care products, accompanying people through their daily lives. Science lies at the heart of this 126 year-old business-to-business company specialized in the research, creation, manufacture and sale of perfumes, flavours and ingredients, along with a strong sense of social and moral responsibility. The Group is dedicated to helping its customers strengthen their brands by delighting consumers. 

Consumers delight in different flavours and fragrances and they are increasingly conscious about the impact of what they consume on the environment and on their wellbeing. A growing number of them are choosing to reduce meat in their diet or cut it out entirely. The trend for flexitarian diets, which are characterized by occasional meat consumption, has led to significant growth in plant-based and non-meat alternatives in food. Firmenich aims to accelerate this diet transformation by offering natural ingredients that recreate the aroma, taste, and mouthfeel that consumers enjoy. The Group provides leading food and beverage companies with options that ease the transition to more planet-friendly dietary choices and encourage healthier eating without loss of taste.

With the growth in urbanisation, consumers today crave a connection with nature and natural products. Increasing the amount of meat-free food benefits the environment as approximately two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions are produced by animal agriculture. By switching to more plant-based diets consumers can have a direct impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Helping to provide better tasting plant-based alternatives is one way in which Firmenich is taking steps towards creating a more sustainable future. Sustainability has been at the core of Firmenich’s values and action for several decades, and it is one of only two companies in the world that have received a Triple A listing for climate change, forest and water management from CDP for four years in a row. The Group sets the bar high on its sustainability credentials, leading its industry in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance. It was the first company in the flavours and fragrances industry to reach 100 percent renewable electricity usage in its direct operations worldwide. 

The company is focused heavily on ensuring the continued availability of renewable energy options for its sites, from solar and wind as well as by installing biogas boilers at its sites. Firmenich also strives for action against climate change by supporting its partners in its supply chain, and helping them on their journey towards sustainability. 

Through its ambitious ESG targets and action, extending from its operations to renewable and natural ingredients, Firmenich is continuing to be a leader in its field and spearheading sustainable business globally. The Group is determined to provide flavours and fragrances that will continue to delight consumers for years to come and encourage the right solutions for our planet.