8 Flavor and Fragrance Headline Highlights

Perfumer studio debuts, sustainability milestones and appointments fill this week's headlines. You've made it to the end of the week, but are you all caught up on headlines?

First, take a look at two fresh job openings in the flavor sector—Flavors Key Account Manager and Flavorist.

Headline Highlights

1. Top F&F Companies Under European Commission Investigation

The European Commission carried out "unannounced inspections" at several top flavor and fragrance companies on March 7, 2023 regarding "possible collusion in relation to the supply of fragrances and fragrance ingredients." 

The organization notes that the targeted organizations "may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices" under Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The inspections "are a preliminary investigatory step into suspected anticompetitive practices" but do not "mean that the companies are guilty of anti-competitive behavior nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself."

2. Firmenich and Xun Laboratory Debut Villa Harmony in China

Villa Harmony is located within the Jin Ze Art Center, which houses a botanical garden said to be an inspiring venue for the holistic cultivation of body, mind and spirit, designed to allow creators, researchers and visitors to be fully embraced in the rich heritage of Chinese Perfumery.

3. Fragrance Creators Statement on the Release of President Biden's FY2024 Budget

In the March issue, Fragrance Creators' penned an article regarding recent "Fragrance Policy And Regulation Advances & Efforts." The association wrote, "2023 is already proving to be an important year for fragrance policy and regulation, and we see major opportunity to strengthen consumer trust and understanding." This sentiment is echoed in Fragrance Creators president and CEO Farah K. Ahmed's statement on the release of President Biden's FY2024 Budget:

4. Iberchem Achieves RSPO Certification for Sustainable Palm Oil

"The RSPO certification was a key milestone in our sustainability program, which covers every step of our value chain, from sourcing to shipping," says Guillaume Audy, Corporate Communications and Sustainability director at Iberchem."

5. National Confectioners Association Names Tony Jacobs Board of Trustees Chair

Tony Jacobs most recently served as vice chair and will take over for departing NCA board chair Barry Rosenbaum, president of Nassau Candy Distributors. Jerry Hagedorn, executive vice president of Barry Callebaut, will serve as board vice chair.

6. Iberchem Significantly Lowers Headquarters CO2 Emissions Reaching Sustainability Milestone

The company has achieved a neutral carbon footprint in 2021 as regards its scope 1 and 2 emissions. It has absorbed the remaining CO₂ emissions by joining the carbon-neutral natural regeneration project Galixia Rexenera: Outeiro do Catadoiro (Caldas de Reis).

7. Source Adage Opens Scent Studio in Tuscany

Founders and fragrance creators Christopher Draghi and Robert Dobay will oversee the production of their fragrances by local producers and personally introduce their brand for the European market. 

8. 3 Growth Drivers for Beverage Emulsion Stabilizer Market

Valued at $1.5 billion in 2023, the emulsion stabilizer for beverages market is estimated to be valued at $2.4 billion by 2033 and reach a CAGR of 4.8% from 2023 to 2033, according to a report released by Fact.Mr.