Top 10 Companies in the Biotech-based Aroma Ingredients Industry (2026): Innovators Cultivating Sustainable Scents

In Business Insights
January 09, 2026


The Global Biotech-based Aroma Ingredients Market was valued at USD 1.85 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 3.21 Billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.7% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This significant growth is propelled by increasing consumer demand for natural and sustainable products, stringent regulations on synthetic ingredients, and advancements in biotechnology that enable cost-effective and scalable production of high-quality aroma molecules.

As the fragrance and flavor industry shifts towards greener and more transparent supply chains, the focus intensifies on the pioneering companies leveraging biotechnology. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Biotech-based Aroma Ingredients Industry—a dynamic mix of established flavor and fragrance giants and specialized biotech firms that are redefining the essence of scent.


🔟 1. Givaudan

Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
Key Offering: Biotech Vanillin, Sandalwood note, Clearwood®

Givaudan, a global leader in flavors and fragrances, has made substantial investments in biotechnology to create sustainable aroma ingredients. Its active biotechnology program focuses on fermentation and enzymatic processes to produce key molecules like vanillin, reducing reliance on petrochemicals and natural extraction.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Pioneer in biotech vanillin production at commercial scale

  • Clearwood®, a sustainable alternative to patchouli oil via fermentation

  • Committed to 100% renewable carbon in fragrance creations by 2025

Download FREE Sample Report: Biotech-based Aroma Ingredients Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Firmenich (now dsm-firmenich)

Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
Key Offering: Biotech Ambrox®, Musk, Citrus notes

Following its merger with DSM, dsm-firmenich combines deep fragrance expertise with world-class biotechnology capabilities. The company utilizes precision fermentation to create high-impact aroma ingredients, such as its iconic Ambrox®, which is sustainably sourced from sugar.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • World’s first biotech Ambrox® for ambrafresh and warm amber notes

  • Extensive use of white biotechnology for clean, traceable ingredients


8️⃣ 3. International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF)

Headquarters: New York, USA
Key Offering: Biotech Vanillin, Geosmin, Speciality ingredients

IFF leverages its strong biotechnology division to develop a wide portfolio of natural-certified aroma ingredients. Its focus on science and sustainability drives the creation of molecules that offer consistent quality, purity, and a reduced environmental footprint compared to traditional methods.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Proprietary fermentation technologies for natural fragrance compounds

  • Strategic focus on Circular Aromatics through bio-transformation


7️⃣ 4. Symrise AG

Headquarters: Holzminden, Germany
Key Offering: BIOLAND™ ingredients, SansVert®, natural musks

Symrise has integrated biotechnology as a core pillar of its innovation strategy. Its BIOLAND program is dedicated to producing nature-identical ingredients through bio-conversion, offering perfumers sustainable options without compromising on olfactory performance.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • SansVert®, a biodegradable alternative to Galaxolide

  • Investment in advanced bio-fermentation facilities

Download FREE Sample Report: Biotech-based Aroma Ingredients Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. MANE

Headquarters: Le Bar-sur-Loup, France
Key Offering: Biotech-developed speciality ingredients, Natural fragrance bases

MANE employs biotechnology to unlock novel scent profiles and ensure a sustainable supply of key aroma chemicals. Its research focuses on using microorganisms to transform renewable raw materials into valuable fragrance ingredients with complex and natural characteristics.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of captive biotech ingredients for exclusive fragrance compositions

  • Commitment to green chemistry principles and reducing carbon footprint


5️⃣ 6. Takasago International Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Biotech Menthol, Raspberry Ketone, Vanillin

Takasago is renowned for its biotechnological prowess, notably for having commercialized one of the first bio-catalyzed processes for L-Menthol production. The company continues to expand its biotech portfolio, focusing on efficiency and naturalness.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • World-leading bio-catalytic process for sustainable menthol production

  • Ongoing R&D in enzymatic synthesis for floral and fruity notes


4️⃣ 7. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Biotech Citral, L-Menthol, Vertacetal™

BASF’s aroma ingredients business leverages its strong chemical and biotechnology infrastructure to produce key building blocks for the fragrance industry. Its biotech route to Citral is a cornerstone for producing a wide range of downstream fragrance molecules sustainably.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Integrated biotechnology processes for large-volume aroma chemicals

  • Development of bio-based alternatives for high-impact fragrance molecules


3️⃣ 8. Solvay

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Biotech Vanillin (under Rhovanil® Natura)

Solvay is a major producer of vanillin and employs a patented bioconversion process to produce its Rhovanil® Natura line. This process uses a natural precursor from rice bran, offering a high-quality, non-GMO, and natural-certified vanillin.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Unique fermentation-based process for natural vanillin

  • Focus on traceability and natural certification for clean labels


2️⃣ 9. Robertet

Headquarters: Grasse, France
Key Offering: Biotech specialty ingredients, Natural extracts via biotransformation

Robertet, with its deep roots in natural raw materials, utilizes biotransformation to enhance and create natural fragrance ingredients. This approach allows them to produce molecules that are often difficult or unsustainable to source directly from nature.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Use of biotransformation to create unique natural compounds

  • Strong emphasis on preserving biodiversity through biotechnology


1️⃣ 10. Evolva AG (Now part of BASF)

Headquarters: Reinach, Switzerland
Key Offering: Biotech Nootkatone, Valencene, Vanillin

Evolva was a pure-play biotechnology company specializing in fermenting ingredients for flavors, fragrances, and other markets. Its signature product, Nootkatone (a key grapefruit aroma), is produced via fermentation, showcasing a sustainable alternative to extraction. Following challenges, its assets and technology are being integrated into larger entities like BASF.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Pioneering fermentation route for Nootkatone

  • Demonstrated the potential of synthetic biology for rare aroma ingredients

Get Full Report Here: Biotech-based Aroma Ingredients Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌱 Outlook: The Future of Aroma Ingredients Is Biologically Brewed

The biotech-based aroma ingredients market is at a pivotal juncture. While traditional extraction and synthetic chemistry still dominate, the industry is rapidly adopting fermentation and enzymatic processes to meet the dual demands of sustainability and supply chain resilience. Biotechnology offers a path to create identical molecules found in nature, but with greater purity, consistency, and a significantly lower environmental impact.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • R&D expansion in precision fermentation and synthetic biology for complex molecules

  • Growing consumer and regulatory push for “Natural” and “Clean Label” products, which biotech ingredients can fulfill

  • Strategic partnerships between F&F majors and biotech startups to accelerate innovation

  • Investment in scaling up production capacities to reduce costs and improve accessibility

Get Full Report Here: Biotech-based Aroma Ingredients Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies leading this charge are not just supplying ingredients—they are actively cultivating the future of fragrance, proving that the most captivating scents can now be grown in a lab, sustainably and ethically.