Sourcing

Our long-term objective is to source all of our raw materials in a way that minimizes any negative environmental and human rights impact

At the same time, we look to do this in a way that creates real, lasting value for all our stakeholders.

We view sustainable procurement as a prerequisite for our long-term commercial success, because we use thousands of raw materials from all over the world and are heavily reliant on their availability, quality and price stability.
In order to use these raw materials efficiently, Symrise applies the principles of the circular economy across all levels of the value chain.
Discover how we put this claim into practice

Consumers across the world are also increasingly concerned about protecting the environment, non-exploitation, forest conservation and natural qualities – as such, the provenance and source of the products they purchase and consume is of growing importance. To continue to create solutions for our customers that are loved by consumers worldwide, we need to continue to meet and exceed these changing consumer needs.

We work closely with both our customers and our suppliers to advance the social and ecological conditions that allow us to achieve these criteria.

As part of our commitment to responsible sourcing, we support initiatives around the world that strengthen farming communities — including a collaborative program with coconut farmers in the Philippines who enhance yields and diversify their crops. This short film offers an inspiring look at how knowledge-sharing and innovation create long-term resilience.

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In the Amazon region near Belém, local communities are creating new economic opportunities while helping protect the rainforest — demonstrating how responsible sourcing can support both people and nature. By transforming native forest plants into high-quality ingredients through a cooperative model, they open up new pathways for local income. This short film offers inspiring insights into how nature conservation and local prosperity can go hand in hand.

Video on YouTube

We achieve a particularly high impact on:

Sustainability along the value chain

Raw materials Product development and manufacturing processes Customers and consumers Knowledge transfer and synergies

Protecting biodiversity and thus natural habitats on land and in water is an essential concern for Symrise. With the sustainable sourcing of our raw materials, the assessment of our main suppliers in accordance with sustainability criteria and our involvement in international initiatives and partnerships for biodiversity and supply chain transparency, we as a global company have an effective lever for helping to achieve SDGs 14 and 15. Throughout the process, we also respect the working conditions of our employees, partners and suppliers in order to make a direct contribution to humane economic growth in accordance with SDG 8.

Product development and manufacturing processes

The core business of Symrise and its products are closely linked with sustainable production cycles, the efficient use of natural resources, environmentally compatible use of chemicals and waste minimization, thanks to avoidance, reduction, recycling and reuse. We and our partners have a direct impact on SDG 12 particularly in the product development phase. As a production company in a high-energy industry, we also have considerable responsibility and leverage when it comes to SDGs 8 and 13 and implementing humane working conditions, comprehensive climate protection measures and concrete reductions in CO₂ at our production facilities and sites around the world.

The central concern of Symrise is to meet basic human needs for health, nutrition and well-being. Due to our sustainable product solutions in line with SDGs 12 and 13 (see previous stage of the value chain), we thus have the responsibility and potential influence – at our own sites and beyond – on future consumption patterns and behaviors of our customers and consumers.

Knowledge transfer and synergies between the company, suppliers, political institutions, actors from civil society and local partners form the basis of the business activities of Symrise and thus all of our operations.

Our responsible procurement policy and supplier code of conduct

This guideline is a further step forward in the development of our sustainable procurement. It replaces the procurement guideline already developed in 2016 and provides a binding framework for our suppliers. It reflects our commitment to making a positive impact as a company.

As a signatory to the UN Global Compact and a committed supporter of the UN Sustainable Development Goals as well as numerous international and industry-specific standards, this is of particular importance to us.

Read the Policy in EN | DE | FR | SP

Nature is vital to Symrise’s existence. We use 10,000 raw materials from over 100 countries for our products. Most of our materials are biologically based, originating from a richly diverse environment. Through this Policy, we are asking suppliers to join us in a communal obligation to respect every aspect of the ecosystem surrounding us. Dr. Isabella Tonaco, Chief Sustainability Officer of Symrise

Illuminating our supply chains

Transparency and traceability are key to securing successful, sustainable supply chains

Achieving full transparency and traceability across our supply chains is an ongoing challenge for a number of reasons. The often highly complex material flows and differing objectives among the participants involved mean that it’s essential to clearly define guidelines and visibility at every step.

All of our suppliers must adhere to our Code of Conduct, which involves delivering full disclosure as to the origin of their raw materials. As a SEDEX member, we can also rate the performance of our main suppliers in terms of factors such as human rights, the environment, health and safety, integrity and additional ethical criteria.

Our ability to understand and improve such factors not only helps secure our supply chain, it also gives our customers and consumers the valuable insights into their products that they increasingly demand.

Bridging the gap

The ‘Bridging The Gap’ program is built on a long-term framework agreement established by Symrise and GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) who supports the German Development Ministry (BMZ) in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development.

It enables learning partnerships between suppliers and customers, making unique direct connections across the entire value network and has been designed as an umbrella platform for projects that Symrise and its partners are undertaking across the globe.

We believe that sustainable solutions must sustain the entire value chain, from farmers to suppliers to customers and consumers. By implementing community-based socio-economical interventions while promoting the transition to regenerative agricultural practices, our partnerships commit to support the farmers of today, helping to build a brighter future tomorrow.

Learn more about the Bridging The Gap initiative

Sustainable sourcing strategies

Today more than ever, geopolitical and environmental challenges threaten farmers' resilience and the production of agricultural raw materials, leading to a growing risk of supply shortages.

At Symrise, risk management stands at the heart of our strategy. We have carried out an extensive analysis of long-term risks to guide our measures. These aim to ensure a reliable supply of natural ingredients, while addressing environmental and food safety challenges.

Our strategies enable us to build resilient supply chains and meet consumer demands for sustainability, providing the highest quality ingredients from a reliable supply, now and in the future.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SECURE SOURCING INITIATIVE

Exemplary commitment: Backward integration in our vanilla supply chain

A milestone for Madagascar

Strategic backward integration is one of our key strategies for ensuring responsible procurement. For us, this means ensuring access to quality, traceable and secure key raw materials. To achieve these goals, we try to be as close to the raw materials as possible without owning farm land or cultivating raw materials ourselves.

We’re proud to be achieving this across our Madagascan vanilla sourcing, and we’ve been able to create direct value that benefits all participants. The increased visibility and control over our production processes also allows us to implement widespread environmental and social improvements. The result is a guarantee of consistently high-quality raw materials for us and our customers.

Explore our sustainable vanilla sourcing

Exemplary commitment: Backward integration in our citrus fruit supply chain

In the procurement of natural raw materials, Symrise is going back along the entire value chain and seeking to work shoulder to shoulder with the farmers who produce citrus fruits on their plantations. This gives us the opportunity to influence how and in what quality the raw materials are produced. We can also help local communities improve their living conditions. This backward integration ensures our ability to deliver even in phases of shortages in raw materials. Responsible use of raw materials is ensured at Symrise through circular economic practices in which valuable products are developed from byproducts of raw materials processing.

Regenerative agriculture: A key for resilient supply chains

Agricultural systems face growing pressures from climate change, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss. To ensure long-term resilience, Symrise is integrating regenerative agriculture principles into its sourcing approach.

By working closely with farmers and local communities, we support practices that restore soil health, enhance biodiversity, improve water management, and reduce carbon emissions.

From on-farm compost production in French carrot fields to improve soil fertility to initiatives in Ecuador helping banana farmers enhance lower carbon emissions, our projects are tailored to local needs, fostering sustainable livelihoods while reducing environmental impact.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE INITIATIVES

Contact

Friedrich-Wilhelm Micus

Director Corporate Communications

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Discover how innovation is helping us become more sustainable

Our long-term objective is to source all of our raw materials in a way that minimizes any negative environmental and human rights impact

We achieve a particularly high impact on:

Sustainability along the value chain

Sustainability along the value chain – focus on human rights

Our responsible procurement policy and supplier code of conduct