Overview of Business Activities
Symrise is a global supplier of
flavors, fragrances, aroma molecules and cosmetic ingredients for the
perfume, cosmetics, and food industries as well as personal care and
household. In 2007, total Group sales came to some € 1.3 billion. With
an estimated market share of approximately 10% at present, the Company
is one of the top four participants on the global market for flavors
and fragrances (F&F) in terms of revenue. Experts estimate the
global market volume at approximately € 13–14 billion in 2007. The
development of the global F&F market is closely linked to
disposable income, particularly in the emerging markets. In the more
mature economies, the F&F market is more driven by consumer trends.
The nature of our business, while it operates on a global scale, is a strong local network (providing both development and production) that is required to support our customers. Symrise maintains a total of 27 sites around the globe. We are present in mature markets such as western Europe, the United States, and parts of Asia as well as in the emerging markets of Asia, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and eastern Europe. In 2007, we generated close to 40% of our sales in the fast-growing emerging markets. In total, we create and produce more than 30,000 products using approximately 10,000 raw materials on five continents and sell these products in approximately 160 countries.
Symrise’s business activities are divided between its two divisions Scent & Care and Flavor & Nutrition, which are nearly equal in size in terms of sales and operating result. In its Scent & Care division, Symrise develops, produces, and sells fragrances, mint flavors, cosmetic ingredients, and aroma molecules and develops specific application procedures for these substances.
The Flavor & Nutrition division develops, produces, and sells flavors which are used by our customers to produce food (savory products and sweets/dairy) and beverage products (soft drinks, alcoholic, and non-alcoholic beverages).
Our products are often created using a huge number of ingredients. Perfumers, flavorists, and chemists create recipes and in some cases even the ingredients themselves. In addition, both divisions develop application systems and procedures in order to deliver value added solutions that allow our customers to distinguish themselves in the fast moving consumer goods markets.
Our flavors, fragrances, and cosmetic ingredients typically make up a relatively small part in the total cost of our customers’ products, but are usually key components of our customers’ end products and often constitute their entire flavor, fragrance, or cosmetic use. In many cases, the ingredients we deliver are decisive for the purchasing decision of the consumer.
Symrise combines an awareness of consumer trends with cutting-edge technologies, focusing on innovative products that have additional practical value for the consumer (“AND” products). We are striving to be an indispensable partner in the development, production, and marketing of products for our customers.
With 44 registered patents in 2007, Symrise is one of the most innovative manufacturers in the F&F market.