The Symrise Group was formed in 2003 with the merger of Haarmann & Reimer and Dragoco
With the roots of both companies stretching back as far as 1874, we draw on a rich heritage of innovation and excellence. In 2006, we went public on the German Stock Exchange as the biggest European IPO of the year and have spent the subsequent over ten years ambitiously building on our history of success.
1874
Foundation of our company and first synthesis of vanillin
2003
The Symrise Group is formed
2006
Symrise IPO on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange
€ 28.5bn
The flavor and fragrance market size 2017.
The four largest providers, which include Symrise, together have a market share of about 50 %.
[Sources: IAL, TechNavio, GIA]
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2014
Following on from a formal R&D collaboration in 2012, we became majority shareholders in Swedish company Probi, taking us into the increasingly important probiotic market.
2014
Acquistion of Diana Group - We broaden our markets and accelerate our growth with the acquisition of Diana Group, a world leader in natural and functional food solutions, as well as palatability enhancers for pet food.
2015
Our new production plant in Brazil opens, facilitating the development of our global beauty care products. It also integrates sustainability measures across the entire value chain – from sourcing and production to contributing to the social and economic development of the region.
2016
We acquire US company Rennesenz as part of Pinova Holdings, taking our Aroma Molecules division to a new level. Its terpene-based materials are made from natural, renewable feedstock and support about 30% of our internal flavor and fragrance creations.
2017
We expand our position in the British beverage market through our acquisition of Cobell Limited. As the number one supplier for juices in the U.K. and a leader across Europe, they ideally complement our own activities.
2018
Breaking new ground in fragrances with Philyra.
Symrise and IBM Research have developed a method of using artificial intelligence (AI) to create perfumes based on digital fragrance models.
2018
In December 2018, Symrise is awarded first place in the category "Germany's most sustainable large corporation 2019."
2019
Symrise invests € 3 million in the expansion of the innovation center in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.
2020
Symrise acquires the Fragrance and Aroma Chemicals business of the US company Sensient Technologies Corporation, thus expanding its fragrance portfolio.
2021
After 14 years in the MDAX in September Symrise joins the DAX with a market capitalization of more than € 16 billion.
2022
Symrise acquires Schaffelaarbos and Wing Pet Food to accelerate international expansion in pet nutrition.
2022
Symrise strengthens its Fine Fragrance division with the full acquisition of Groupe Neroli and the launch of naturals brand Maison Lautier 1795.
1874
The original founders of Haarmann & Reimer discover a method of synthesizing the aromatic vanillin. Ferdinand Tiemann and Wilhelm Haarmann, the local chemists behind the discovery, built their first vanillin factory in Holzminden, Germany – the present-day home of Symrise’s global headquarters.
1919
Carl-Wilhelm Gerberding and August Bellmer found Dragoco in 1919, which would become one of the world’s leading suppliers of fine perfume compositions, aroma chemicals and cosmetic raw materials.
1954
Bayer AG, the German life science, pharmaceutical, chemical and multinational, buy Haarmannn & Reimer, which continue to operate as an entity.
1973
Menthol is manufactured synthetically for the first time, allowing the ‘essence of freshness’ from this sustainable process to be used in applications such as toothpaste, chewing gum and confectionery.
1990
Foundation of Diana - The French Entrepreneur Jean Guyomarc'h develops an approach to obtain natural extracts from the side streams of natural raw materials back in 1956. This enables him to use the whole fruit, vegetable or poultry. After acquiring a number of complimentary businesses, the single entities unite and forme the French DIANA group.
1999
Haarmann & Reimer hit a significant milestone in their international expansion, with their products achieving a presence on every continent in the world.
2003
Symrise is forged with the merger of Haarmann & Reimer and Dragoco. We immediately become the fourth biggest company in the flavor and fragrance market, with combined sales of $1.3 billion in our first year.
2005
Symrise expands its natural vanilla business with the gradual integration of French-Malagasy company, Aromatics S.A.S. – a vital step for our sustainable vanilla value creation chain.
2006
In December, we go public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, with an IPO worth €650 million. It is the largest German IPO of the year.
2009
Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram is appointed as our new CEO. By identifying additional market segments and streamlining our portfolio, we have expanded our market position under his leadership.
2012
We bring our expanded production capacities for menthol into operation, doubling the production volume of this highly coveted raw material, and doing so in a more environmentally-friendly way.
2013
We acquire American fragrance manufacturer Belmay, taking an important strategic step towards sustainable growth in the fine fragrance, personal care and air care segments.
2014
Following on from a formal R&D collaboration in 2012, we became majority shareholders in Swedish company Probi, taking us into the increasingly important probiotic market.
2014
Acquistion of Diana Group - We broaden our markets and accelerate our growth with the acquisition of Diana Group, a world leader in natural and functional food solutions, as well as palatability enhancers for pet food.
2015
Our new production plant in Brazil opens, facilitating the development of our global beauty care products. It also integrates sustainability measures across the entire value chain – from sourcing and production to contributing to the social and economic development of the region.
2016
We acquire US company Rennesenz as part of Pinova Holdings, taking our Aroma Molecules division to a new level. Its terpene-based materials are made from natural, renewable feedstock and support about 30% of our internal flavor and fragrance creations.
2017
We expand our position in the British beverage market through our acquisition of Cobell Limited. As the number one supplier for juices in the U.K. and a leader across Europe, they ideally complement our own activities.
2018
Breaking new ground in fragrances with Philyra.
Symrise and IBM Research have developed a method of using artificial intelligence (AI) to create perfumes based on digital fragrance models.
2018
In December 2018, Symrise is awarded first place in the category "Germany's most sustainable large corporation 2019."
2019
Symrise invests € 3 million in the expansion of the innovation center in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.
2020
Symrise acquires the Fragrance and Aroma Chemicals business of the US company Sensient Technologies Corporation, thus expanding its fragrance portfolio.
2021
After 14 years in the MDAX in September Symrise joins the DAX with a market capitalization of more than € 16 billion.
2022
Symrise acquires Schaffelaarbos and Wing Pet Food to accelerate international expansion in pet nutrition.
2022
Symrise strengthens its Fine Fragrance division with the full acquisition of Groupe Neroli and the launch of naturals brand Maison Lautier 1795.
1874
The original founders of Haarmann & Reimer discover a method of synthesizing the aromatic vanillin. Ferdinand Tiemann and Wilhelm Haarmann, the local chemists behind the discovery, built their first vanillin factory in Holzminden, Germany – the present-day home of Symrise’s global headquarters.
1919
Carl-Wilhelm Gerberding and August Bellmer found Dragoco in 1919, which would become one of the world’s leading suppliers of fine perfume compositions, aroma chemicals and cosmetic raw materials.
1954
Bayer AG, the German life science, pharmaceutical, chemical and multinational, buy Haarmannn & Reimer, which continue to operate as an entity.
1973
Menthol is manufactured synthetically for the first time, allowing the ‘essence of freshness’ from this sustainable process to be used in applications such as toothpaste, chewing gum and confectionery.
1990
Foundation of Diana - The French Entrepreneur Jean Guyomarc'h develops an approach to obtain natural extracts from the side streams of natural raw materials back in 1956. This enables him to use the whole fruit, vegetable or poultry. After acquiring a number of complimentary businesses, the single entities unite and forme the French DIANA group.
1999
Haarmann & Reimer hit a significant milestone in their international expansion, with their products achieving a presence on every continent in the world.
2003
Symrise is forged with the merger of Haarmann & Reimer and Dragoco. We immediately become the fourth biggest company in the flavor and fragrance market, with combined sales of $1.3 billion in our first year.
2005
Symrise expands its natural vanilla business with the gradual integration of French-Malagasy company, Aromatics S.A.S. – a vital step for our sustainable vanilla value creation chain.
2006
In December, we go public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, with an IPO worth €650 million. It is the largest German IPO of the year.
2009
Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram is appointed as our new CEO. By identifying additional market segments and streamlining our portfolio, we have expanded our market position under his leadership.
2012
We bring our expanded production capacities for menthol into operation, doubling the production volume of this highly coveted raw material, and doing so in a more environmentally-friendly way.
2013
We acquire American fragrance manufacturer Belmay, taking an important strategic step towards sustainable growth in the fine fragrance, personal care and air care segments.
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Notable recent acquisitions
Diana acquisition: expanding our position in the flavor and nutrition market through natural well-being solutions
With this acquisition we significantly diversified our portfolio for natural ingredients, tapped into new business segments and strengthened our raw material supply.
It was another milestone to continue our profitable growth.
Find out more about Diana
Pinova Holdings acquisition: expanding our Scent & Care capabilities
In 2015, we acquired Pinova Holdings, a leading supplier of natural and renewable ingredients used mainly in the production of perfumes, fragrances and oral care products.
As natural and renewable raw materials become increasingly important for the fragrance industry, the acquisition complements our current portfolio while allowing us to expand into attractive new market segments.
Find out more about Pinova Holdings acquisition
