Givaudan
Continues Its Ethical Sourcing Program
Givaudan’s Kate Greene and Cosimo Policastro introduce the newest partnerships within the Innovative Naturals Program.
Bringing Madagascar Vanilla And
Moheli Ylang Ylang To The Perfumers’ Palette
Givaudan invited guests to their New York headquarters on March 3 to discover the company’s Innovative Naturals Program and introduce the latest partnerships that add new ingredients to the company’s palette. Vanilla from Madagascar and ylang ylang from Moheli, the smallest of the Comoros Islands, are the latest scents to be included to the fragrance manufacturers’ repertoire. Givaudan Perfumers Rodrigo Flores-Roux and Michel Girard along with Remi Pulverail, Head of Natural Materials, spoke with guests about their travel to the islands to establish the company’s latest programs as well as Givaudan’s agenda for sustainable development. Givaudan’s Executive Vice President, Global Fine Fragrances, Cosimo Policastro stated that “Both of these materials are experiencing a renaissance with Givaudan’s help and in a sustainable way. We are looking at ingredients with a sustainable eye that do not harm or add manmade materials to the Earth’s crust and meet the needs of the people in the culture.”
Givaudan’s Michel Girard, Remi Pulverail and Rodrigo Flores-Roux spoke about the latest additions to the Innovative Naturals Program.
Givaudan utilizes approximately 20% of the total market share of crops for what the world is able to supply and thus has the massive responsibility to ensure that standards of practice are upheld and supply chains are operating properly. Launched in 2007, the Innovative Naturals Program works to protect fragile supply chains to guarantee the availability of the materials in the future as well as support the local communities involved, improving production processes and educational infrastructures. Givaudan, involving local authorities, adheres to local laws, cultural practices and helps improve communities through building schools and giving means towards improvement. “Participation and agreement of all involved are crucial to the success of this program,” said Mr. Pulverail. Along with the recent additions in Moheli and Madagascar, Givaudan has also established the fair trade program in Australia, Venezuela and Laos.
As an emblem of the Comoros Island, the project in Moheli will safeguard traditional ylang ylang production techniques and secure the premium quality of the essential oils for its exclusive fragrance creations. Givaudan and its local partner provide technical support to improve both agricultural practices and the distillation process itself, with the aim of increasing product quality and environmental practices. The project is multi-faceted and also includes investments to support the expansion of children’s education. Mr. Pulverail described the great need to “return to the quality of ylang ylang from the 1970’s, when the flower was abundant.” The establishment of an ylang ylang nursery has also been created to initiate replanting.
Sniffapalooza’s Karen Adams and Karen Dubin with Ms. Greene (c.)
In Madagascar, Givaudan has been working to bring greater transparency and traceability to the complex vanilla supply chain. The company works to eliminate middlemen, as the quality of the fragrance improves when traceability is defined. The cornerstone of this program is a collaboration that works to identify the villages producing the vanilla to enhance the quality of the material Givaudan uses in both its fragrance and flavor divisions. A crucial ingredient to the Perfumer’s palette, “Vanilla makes perfume glow,” exclaimed Mr. Flores-Roux. The local workers in this partnership benefit from new equipment and education in cultivation techniques that improve the quality and the yields of local food crops. Additionally, Givaudan stays committed to education through the reconstruction of area schools.
The evening’s trip to the islands of the Indian Ocean concluded with Kate Greene, Vice President of Marketing of Fine Fragrances, commending her colleagues for “handling this endeavor in the right way, with a sense of passion that comes from the heart and carrying on the journeys through these scents.”