IFF inaugurated its expanded LMR Naturals site in Grasse, France, funded by a €10 million investment. The expansion increased the facility’s footprint by 75% and includes a state-of-the-art pilot hall for the development of natural ingredients.
LMR Naturals, a trademarked capability within IFF, was founded in 1983 and acquired by IFF in 2000. The subsidiary currently processes 85,000 tons of biomass annually and offers more than 850 ingredients across 130 botanical families.
“LMR Naturals is a strategic asset in IFF’s portfolio, and this expansion underscores our commitment to shaping the future of natural ingredients,” said chief executive officer Erik Fyrwald. “By deepening our roots in Grasse — the global center of excellence for natural ingredients — we’re scaling innovation that empowers perfumers and flavorists worldwide to deliver high-performing, exceptional and sustainable signatures consumers can trust.”
The upgraded LMR Naturals site will make use of a newly completed experimental field nearby, providing direct access to plat materials. Further, the expansion brings more than 30 research and development experts together to further drive innovation.
“LMR’s ability to fuse tradition with cutting-edge innovation is unmatched,” said Sabrya Meflah, president of IFF’s fine fragrance segment. “This expansion is more than bricks and mortar — it’s a launchpad for the next generation of naturals that will shape the future of perfumery, with applications across all IFF businesses. Our footprint in Grasse now enables a seamless transition from seed to bottle, with our Atelier du Perfumer just steps away.”
Bertrand de Preville, general manager of LMR Naturals, added, “With a newly expanded site now fully operational, we intend to launch four to six new products each year, with sustainability at the heart of our approach — reflected in our dual certifications, For Life and Zero Waste to Landfill, and a waste valorization rate of at least 98%.”
