R&D activities
In 2007, 6.5% of sales was invested in research and development (2006: 6.3%).
Our research and development activities are focused on the further development of the current product portfolio, developing new applications for products, and optimizing production processes with a view to improving product quality and reducing production costs. We regard our intensive research and development activities as one of the central pillars of our success.
Symrise attaches a great deal of focus to efficient and creative research and the development of sustainable technologies.
In key areas, such as the research of new cosmetic ingredients and the development of new flavors, we have been able to draw on a network of partnerships with leading colleges and universities as well as our customers’ research and development departments.
Focusing on further efficiency, the research and development departments of the Symrise Group were assigned to the individual business divisions. This ensures that research and development is geared toward fulfilling the needs of the application areas assigned to the respective business divisions as well as their markets and customers.
Symrise has numerous research and development units located all over the world. The Group’s head office for research and development activities is in Holzminden, Germany, where research is focused on fragrance and flavors, analytical chemistry, cosmetic ingredients, and the evaluation of raw materials. Some research and development in these areas is also carried out in Teterboro, USA. As of December 31, 2007, Symrise employed 907 full-time equivalents at its global research and development units.
Given the array of product requirements, the focus of activities varies widely. Over the last four fiscal years, the most important research and development projects have included the following:
For flavors (Flavor & Nutrition business division), the focus is on the development of products on a natural basis, which, at the same time, are also destined for use in end products of growing complexity. Furthermore, the research and development of flavors also covers “AND” products that offer added value in addition to their typical product characteristics. New products in this area include, for example, modern flavor systems for beer mix drinks, vanilla aromas with cost-efficient alternative systems, enhanced mint aromas for chewing gum and oral hygiene products and menthol-based cooling substances as well as an expanded range of aromas for prepared meals. Concerted efforts were also made to research aromas that help reduce salt and sugar in foods.
For fragrances (Scent & Care business division), research is particularly focused on the development of new processes to optimize fragrance release in certain products, such as detergents. Symrise has been active in the encapsulation of flavors and fragrances for many years and now has a wide range of application technologies at its disposal. For cosmetic ingredients, research and development activities are, for example, geared toward developing new active substances that slow the aging process of skin.
In addition to its in-house R&D effort, Symrise has conducted a number of cooperation agreements with third parties whereby we aim to gain synergies from our joint efforts to the mutual benefit of both parties, demonstrating flexibility and far-sightedness in our approach to other important facts of the business.
We are sure that technology will play an ever increasing role in achieving success in our markets. This also applies to quality control methods and especially to regulatory problems, the importance of which is growing almost daily.