Givaudan Makes Sustainability Moves

06/02/08 Givaudan has made two sustainability announcements, as part of its new Innovative Naturals programme.

Givaudan signed an agreement for a conservation and social project in the Venezuelan Guayana Shield region to ensure the sustainable sourcing of tonka beans. Tonka is a precious, wild grown natural raw material used in various luxury fine fragrances due to its surprising profound warm and sweet note, reminiscent of caramel, almond and tobacco.

The aim of the project, part of Givaudan's Innovative Naturals programme, is to ensure forest conservation while supporting local livelihoods in the lower Caura river basin of Venezuela. The country is one of the two main producers of tonka beans globally. The tonka bean partnership and the Innovative Naturals programme were outlined at a press conference in Paris, France.
 
In partnership with Conservation International, a non-profit organisation, agreements are developed with the Criollo people of the Caura basin. Through these agreements, local communities receive technical and productivity assistance in exchange for their commitment to preserve the forests and the flora and fauna. This also leads to a better drying process and storage, which will improve the quality of the beans. In addition, new and faster harvest routes will increase the amount of beans collected.
 
As one of the biggest buyers of tonka beans in the world, Givaudan is pleased to be associated with Conservation International's work in the 4.5 million hectare region  of the Caura basin, where a bio-diverse area of 88.000 hectare has been defined for effective conservation.
 
The project supports local communities in the pursuit of sustainable economic activities and effective forest conservation in exchange for benefits that will improve their livelihoods.

Givaudan is active in sourcing more than 190 pure and natural raw materials for fragrances. The Innovative Naturals programme aims to enrich the palette of Givaudan's perfumers with new and exclusive naturals.
 
Having been inspired by nature for 200 years, Givaudan feels responsible for preserving natural resources, maintaining future supply of unique raw materials, and operating a sustainable business model involving people, products, environment and society.
 
"We have a responsibility in making sure that the natural resources currently used will not vanish in the future and that they are sustainable. It is in our vital interest to secure resources going forward to be able to also create the unique fragrances in the future.” says Gilles Andrier, CEO Givaudan.

Meanwhile a unique sustainability partnership focusing on sandalwood oil in Australia was unveiled by Givaudan.
 
Givaudan's partnership with Mount Romance, a producer of pure Australian sandalwood oil creates a sustainable supply of a specific grade of sandalwood oil, harvested by people from the Aboriginal communities in the southern part of Western Australia. Sandalwood is one of the most precious raw materials in perfumery, known for hundreds of years for its subtle and refined woody scent.
 
The sandalwood project, part of the Givaudan Innovative Naturals programme, was presented at a press conference in Paris, France. Since the partnership with Mount Romance was signed, Givaudan became the first fragrance house to use the aboriginal source of Australian sandalwood.
 
A premium paid by Givaudan for the supply of the indigenous grade oil is passed to the harvesters.  This process is audited by the Songman Circle of Wisdom, an independent indigenous certification body. A fund has also been established jointly with Mount Romance to finance equipment which will help indigenous harvesters to continually improve environmentally friendly harvesting techniques. The investment in the new equipment will allow a better collection. As a result, this project means reliable and traceable benefits along with economic and social improvements for these communities.
 
Wild harvesting of sandalwood in Western Australia is strictly controlled by the government. Givaudan's partnership with Mount Romance supports the arrangements between Mount Romance and the state government and the income from sandalwood oil production is used for actively managing the natural ecosystem.