Symrise gains Q2 momentum on strong demand for savory and natural solutions

Symrise reported improved organic sales growth in the second quarter, as momentum accelerated across its business after a slower start to the year. Robust demand for its F&B ingredients helped offset a challenging macroeconomic backdrop, with the company maintaining its full-year guidance for 2026.

The German ingredients supplier says organic sales growth accelerated to 4.5% in Q2, reflecting improving momentum across key markets and business areas. Reported sales for the six months ended June reached €2.54 billion (US$2.9 billion).

For the first half of the year, Symrise delivered solid profitability and cash generation. Adjusted EBITDA reached €553 million (US$633.8 million), corresponding to an adjusted EBITDA margin of 21.8%. 

Earnings growth was supported by profitable sales expansion and ongoing efficiency initiatives. However, these gains were partly offset by investments in the ONE SYM transformation program and higher logistics costs resulting from geopolitical disruptions in the Middle East.

ONE SYM is Symrise’s company-wide transformation program to enhance long-term growth, profitability, and operational efficiency. The initiative focuses on simplifying processes, optimizing the business portfolio, improving commercial execution, accelerating innovation, and advancing digitalization. 

The program is expected to deliver sustainable efficiency gains, stronger margins, and improved cash generation over the long term.

The company has recently opened a new food studio in Northwest Arkansas to foster innovation and deepen collaboration with North American customers. In May, Symrise announced it was enhancing its Alternative Smoke Taste Solutions portfolio, offering EU-compliant smoke flavorings in both dry and liquid formats.

Savory ingredients and natural solutions

Growth was led by the company’s Taste, Nutrition & Health division, where Food & Beverage delivered mid-single-digit organic sales growth during the second quarter. 

According to the company, demand was particularly strong in savory ingredients and natural solutions, both of which achieved high-single-digit organic growth, while sweet applications posted mid-single-digit growth.

The performance helped offset continued weakness in the Pet Food business, where organic sales declined slightly, as pricing continued to normalize in nutrition products.

For the first half of the year, Taste, Nutrition & Health generated organic sales growth of 3.2%, outperforming the group as a whole. The division reported sales of €1.53 billion (US$1.7 billion) and increased adjusted EBITDA to €375 million (US$429 million).

Symrise CEO Jean-Yves Parisot says: “We saw increasing momentum in the second quarter, driven by disciplined execution across our businesses and strong demand in Food & Beverage, Consumer Fragrance and Aroma Molecules.”

“We continued to accelerate the next phase of our ONE SYM Transformation to further enhance commercial excellence, innovation and digitalization to support faster profitable growth. Based on our first half performance and current momentum, we remain confident in delivering our 2026 outlook and creating durable long-term value.”

The company also announced plans to acquire Floral Concept, a French producer of premium natural fragrance ingredients. 

While the deal is focused on expanding Symrise’s Fine Fragrance business, it also reflects the company’s broader strategy of building on its expertise in natural ingredients established through its Diana acquisition, which strengthened its position in food, beverage and nutrition applications.

Symrise maintains 2026 outlook

Symrise reaffirmed its guidance for the full year, forecasting organic sales growth of between 2– 4%, an adjusted EBITDA margin of 21.5% to 22.5%, and an adjusted Business Free Cash Flow margin above 14%.

The company said its outlook is supported by continued momentum in Food & Beverage, and a healthy pipeline of customer projects.