India's Fragrance Economy
The Flavours and Fragrances Industry
How specialised firms create scents for soaps and detergents and flavours for food and drinks, global giants like Givaudan, and Indian players.
The flavours and fragrances (F&F) industry is hidden but huge.
What it does
Creates scents for soaps, shampoos and detergents, and flavours for foods and drinks.
Global giants
Givaudan, Firmenich (now dsm-firmenich), IFF and Symrise.
Indian players
S H Kelkar and others supply Indian and global brands.
R&D
Perfumers create formulas that are closely guarded secrets.
India’s role
India supplies natural ingredients like mint oil and spices.
Mint
India is the world’s largest producer of menthol mint oil, mainly from Uttar Pradesh.
A soap brand hires an F&F company to design a new fresh scent that becomes its signature.
Specialist firms often do.
- F&F firms create scents and flavours.
- Givaudan and IFF are giants.
- S H Kelkar is an Indian player.
- India leads in menthol mint oil.
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