PROTECTION OF THE RAINFOREST

Symrise Switches to Nature-Identical Alpha-Bisabolol to Protect and Preserve the Brazilian Rainforest

Symrise has decided to stop harvesting natural bisabolol from the candeia tree that grows in the Brazilian rain forest. By replacing natural alpha-bisabolol with nature-identical, synthetic alpha-bisabolol in its product portfolio, Symrise is helping preserve Brazil’s natural treasures. This decision forms part of the company’s corporate social responsibility strategy.

Alpha-bisabolol is an essential skin-soothing ingredient in many cosmetic and baby care products. The natural product is derived from the oil of the candeia tree, which grows in the south-east and mid-west of Brazil in the Mata Atlantica forest. Around 20,000 m3 of candeia wood are needed every year to cover global demand for candeia oil. In past years, Symrise has sold natural bisabolol from sustainable sources and thereby protected the native candeia tree.

But now that sufficient quantities of sustainably produced candeia oil can no longer be guaranteed, Symrise has decided to stop purchasing this resource from the tropical rainforest. This decision goes hand in hand with Symrise’s corporate social responsibility strategy. Sustainability is an established element of its management principles. By replacing natural alpha-bisabolol with nature-identical, synthetic alpha-bisabolol in its product portfolio, Symrise is contributing to nature conservation in Brazil.

“As the largest supplier of alpha-bisabolol, we are well aware of our responsibility and are explicitly committing ourselves to safeguarding the Brazilian rainforest,” said Véronique Maurin, Global Product Director Cosmetic Ingredients at Symrise. “For us, this means making an active contribution to society and the environment.” Symrise is the leading manufacturer of synthetic alpha-bisabolol with its Dragosantol® and Dragosantol® 100 products. Dragosantol® 100 is currently the purest synthetic alpha-bisabolol on the market and is the best alternative to natural bisabolol. Symrise is the only company able to produce alpha-bisabolol of such high purity. Both products reduce skin irritations and thereby provide highly effective help against inflammation of the skin.