2024 marked a record year for the American CIeaning Institute (ACI)'s Annual Convention, hosting 1,300 attendees at the Grande Lakes Orlando. In 2026, the location for the convention will be housed at the Marriott World nearby.
This year was Perfumer & Flavorist+’s first time attending the ACI Annual Convention! Below are some of the highlights from the conference stage to the individual company displays to the Duck Race.
Conference
On January 31, I attended the Novel & Green Chemistry Innovation Showcase, during which, a familiar face, Sensegen VP of Fragrance and senior perfumer, Angélique Burke, took the podium to discuss a laundry bar soap created in collaboration with Bradford Soap that was shared within the ACI gift bags. According to Sensegen, the collaboration came about by Burke sharing with Bradford that Sensegen was launching the 100% biotech fragrance at ACI. Bradford wanted to support Sensegen’s campaign, so they created 2500 sample laundry bar soaps.
Sensegen VP of Fragrance and senior perfumer, Angélique Burke.Jenna Troyli
The collaboration between Bradford and Sensegen shared at the ACI Annual Convention.Jenna Troyli
On February 1, the ACI conference hosted a fireside chat discussion Future of Cleaning: AI & the Cleaning Products Industry featuring Hogan Lovells’ Lauren Cury and Noble AI’s Ethan Mirsky, moderated by Corey Brooks Pace (pictured at the top of this article). The trio discussed the nuances of utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to formulate for cleaning products or to gather information. How is intellectual property protected if a company has used AI? What about patents? More coverage to come on this session.
Product & Tech Displays
During the convention, I was invited to explore dsm-firmenich’s Sensorium. I was walked through the multi-faceted immersive experience by perfumer Sabine de Tscharner who broke down the capabilities of dsm-firmenich’s lineup of innovative fragrance technologies including Haloscent, Popscent and explained the influence of the company’s EcoScent Compass.
dsm-firmenich perfumer Sabine de Tscharner touring the Sensorium at the ACI Annual Convention 2024.courtesy of dsm-firmenich
- PopScent is designed to utilize a core-shell polymeric capsules containing fragrances that are deposited and retained on surfaces such as clothes, skin and hair during product use. Upon drying, the capsules are said to become brittle and break (due to naturally occurring physical forces, such as movement, rubbing, combing, etc.), releasing the fragrance. de Tscharner also discussion the reinvented PopScent range which features a “new generation” of freshness with PopScent EcoMax, utilizing the company’s first capsule made exclusively with 100% biodegradable ingredients.
- In terms of Haloscent, I was able to experience the new generation of biodegradable profragrances that is said to deliver a new experience by releasing not only one, but two perfume molecules over time, creating a halo effect designed to enable the entire fragrance to last longer for a more rounded olfactive experience.
More to come on my interviews with Michal Benmayor, VP of Innovation and Sustainability and Matteo Magnani, chief Consumer and Innovation officer for Global Perfumery. Stay tuned!
I was also invited to Givaudan’s “home,” where the company showcased its line of home care, personal care and laundry care ingredient technologies inspired by #CleanTok (A TikTok phrase that users search in order to find a list of videos for deep cleaning inspiration, tips, and before-and-after clips.)
The head screen in the Givaudan House read, “A clean space promotes mental clarity and well-being, backed by a portfolio of well-being technologies.”
Givaudan also featured its latest launch: Scentaurus Vanilla. Scentaurus Vanilla is said to increase creative possibilities and differentiation in the market with unique precursor combinations. These precursors are designed to maximize a fragrance’s long-lastingness across many applications, allowing for the exploration of new olfactive territories and delayed impact.
Duck Race
The Charity Duck Race commenced in Lazy River at Grande Lakes, sponsored by Shell Chemical LP. Each company decorated their racing duck to “race” along the Lazy River to raise money for the charity The WASH Foundation, an evolution of Clean the World Foundation.
Jenna Troyli
The WASH Foundation is a leader in global health, recycling discarded hygiene products and distributing them to communities in distress around the world.
“We are proud to highlight and support the mission and efforts of The WASH Foundation,” said Melissa Hockstad, ACI president and CEO. “ACI, our member companies and Shell Chemical LP place a high priority on programs and partnerships that help provide better living for individuals, families and communities.”
Together, ACI’s members were able to donate $40,575 to The WASH Foundation.
Charity Duck race winners:
1st – ExxonMobil Product Solutions
2nd – Future Origins
3rd – Brenntag
People’s Choice – Colgate-Palmolive
