“Digital nose” partnership: IFF and Aryballe collaboration holds flavor application potential

09 Jan 2019 --- International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) has established an industry-exclusive collaboration with Aryballe, a digital olfaction technology company based in Grenoble, France. The partnership seeks to refine and further develop the flavor and fragrance capabilities and applications of Aryballe’s technology in portable, universal odor detection sensors.

“Aryballe’s digital nose has many exciting potential applications on the flavors side of the business,” Mike Popplewell, IFF’s Vice President, Corporate Research & Development, tells FoodIngredientsFirst. “Quality control for both flavors and fragrances could be key initial applications. Beyond quality control, however, we are interested in the device’s use in understanding the aroma of foods in general, which we find particularly interesting from the perspective of R&D. For example, the technology may be able to play an important role in assessing cooking and spoilage, as well as in formula and recipe creation, among other applications,” he adds.

The partnership seeks to refine and further develop the flavor and fragrance capabilities and applications of Aryballe’s technology in portable, universal odor detection sensors.IFF Chairman & CEO Andreas Fibig foresees exciting business potential for the collaboration. IFF is interested in exploring the possibilities this device will create for the company and its customers. 

“Our innovation team will work with Aryballe on evolving this innovative device to one that is indispensable to the flavors and fragrances space,” says Nicolas Mirzayantz, IFF’s Divisional CEO, Scent. 

“We believe that we are only scratching the surface of its potential for our industry – its applications seem virtually limitless,” he adds. 

 This partnership will focus on the development of odor-sensing and quality control applications with the goal of creating a platform for applications in the food, fragrance, cosmetics and other industries.

 “Our partnership with IFF will enable us to accelerate our technology’s development into miniature, affordable olfaction sensors that meet the needs of their unique markets,” says Sam Guilaumé, Aryballe CEO. 

Aryballe will be showcasing its expertise and products during the Consumer Electronics Show, which is currently taking place in Las Vegas (January 8-11).

The company had a prolific 2018, opening two new facilities in China – a flavors manufacturing facility in the Zhangjiagang Free Trade Zone and a Natural Products Research lab, located in the Nanjing Life Science Park. 

Moreover, IFF completed its acquisition of Frutarom in October, which moved it up to the number 2 position in the flavors & fragrances segment (behind Givaudan). IFFd was named on the Euronext Vigeo World 120 index, which recognizes companies for exceptional environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.