PARIS, Jan. 12,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 2020, LMR Naturals by IFF
has taken steps to develop an innovative and reliable methodology
to calculate the carbon footprint of natural fragrance ingredients,
in order to establish an efficient reduction strategy and to
support customers in their reduction objectives.
"The increasing use of natural extracts in perfumery and food
flavors mandated a study of their footprint," said Bertrand de
Préville, general manager of LMR Naturals. "However, there are huge
variations which depend on the nature of biomass, its origin, and
its extraction process; we needed a reliable, reproducible
methodology, based on a detailed understanding of our ingredients."
In concert with Carbone 4—a consulting firm which specializes in
low-carbon strategy and climate change adaptation—the team at LMR
Naturals used its expertise in scent production, deep-rooted
partnerships with suppliers and fundamental knowledge of life-cycle
assessment to complete a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) study of LMR
Naturals. It goes beyond evaluating Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions,
which are direct emissions and indirect emissions from purchased
energy. Instead, the study offers a holistic
perspective—integrating Scope 3 emissions—which refer to the
indirect emissions across the entire value chain.
"Indeed, 95 percent of LMR's carbon footprint can be traced to
Scope 3 activities," said Bernard
Toulemonde, consultant and natural ingredients expert. "It's
then easy to understand the breadth of the gap between the data
published until now, limited to Scopes 1 and 2, versus the reality
of the actual footprint encompassing the full value chain."
To evaluate the carbon footprint of ingredients, the team
followed a life-cycle approach to generate a matrix filled with
data such as flow inventories for agricultural practices,
extraction, transport, and purification practices, among others.
The study identifies high-volume ingredients such as patchouli or
clove, as well as specific areas of importance to reduce carbon
footprint. It also outlines the large burden of first
transformation—in most cases distillation or solvent extraction—in
the total footprint, as well as the ways to reduce it. For example,
significant GHG reductions are possible through modernizing
production units, improving yields and by ensuring sustainably
harvested fuelwood is used during extraction.
The carbon footprint of fragrance ingredients may vary by three
orders of magnitude, which is why LMR conducted an exercise for
each of its ingredients.
"Comparison on an absolute level per kilogram of ingredient,
however, misses the true point to this effort," said Todd Krieger, senior lead Life Cycle Assessment
scientist at IFF. "The goal is to provide lower-impact fragrances
in use. Therefore, dose rate in a fragrance and olfactory
performance need to be included. But, having data on an ingredient
basis allows a customer to calculate the carbon footprint of a
perfume or aroma formula, thanks to the precision of this unique
approach. This data allows clients to assess the impact of an LMR
Naturals by IFF product in its formula."
By disclosing this study's results to its customers, LMR
Naturals is inviting them to contribute to global mitigation
efforts.
"The future most certainly lies in an increased collaboration
between brands and producers, who will be able to support locally
identified partners," said de Préville. "Unique, reliable and
constantly improving, this method is a steppingstone toward lasting
change."
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At IFF (NYSE: IFF), an industry leader in food, beverage,
health, biosciences and scent, science and creativity meet to
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