Executive Summary
The flavors and fragrances (F&F) industry’s leading companies – Givaudan, IFF, DSM-Firmenich (Firmenich), Symrise, Takasago, Kerry, McCormick, and Mane – have all made sustainability a core pillar of their business strategy in 2024. These firms share a common vision of growth that is compatible with environmental stewardship and positive social impact. Each company has articulated a clear sustainability purpose: for example, Givaudan’s purpose of “creating for happier, healthier lives with love for nature” guides its goals across four pillars (Creations, Nature, People, Communities)
, while IFF’s purpose of “applying science and creativity for a better world” drives it to push past industry boundaries for a more sustainable future
. All companies have set ambitious targets aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. They are pursuing aggressive reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (many aiming for net-zero by 2050 or sooner) and increasing use of renewable energy, sustainable sourcing of natural ingredients, waste reduction, and biodiversity protection initiatives. These sustainability efforts are not only internally driven by corporate values but are also a competitive differentiator: customers in consumer goods increasingly demand ethically sourced, low-carbon ingredients, and these F&F leaders are vying to lead on these fronts. In terms of competitive positioning, several of the F&F companies are recognized as sustainability leaders in the broader food and chemicals sectors – for instance, McCormick was ranked the world’s 22nd most sustainable corporation (and #1 in the food products category) in 2023 (ir.mccormick.com), while DSM-Firmenich holds a top AAA ESG rating from MSCI (sustainability.dsm-firmenich.com).
Givaudan
“Crafting a Sustainable Future, One Scent at a Time.”
Sustainability Vision and Mission
Givaudan’s mission is “Creating for happier, healthier lives with love for nature.” The company integrates sustainability into its business by focusing on nature conservation, human well-being, and sustainable innovation.
Sustainability Strategy
Givaudan’s sustainability strategy is structured around four key pillars:
- Creations – Developing biodegradable and eco-friendly products.
- Nature – Supporting regenerative agriculture and biodiversity.
- People – Ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Communities – Strengthening ethical sourcing and fair trade.
Givaudan aims to achieve climate-positive operations before 2050 and 100% sustainable sourcing for key raw materials by 2030.
Sustainability Activities
- Investment in biodegradable fragrance solutions and plant-based flavors.
- Expansion of sustainable vanilla and citrus sourcing programs.
- Eco-friendly manufacturing with reduced carbon and water footprints.
Leadership in Sustainability
Givaudan is recognized for its strong sustainability governance, biodiversity protection, and market leadership in eco-conscious product innovation.
International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)
“Science and Creativity for a Greener Tomorrow.”
Sustainability Vision and Mission
IFF is committed to “Applying science and creativity for a better world.” Their sustainability focus extends across their operations and product development.
Sustainability Strategy
- Net-zero emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2040.
- 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
- Circular economy initiatives for waste reduction.
- Adoption of Green Chemistry principles for safer and more sustainable products.
Sustainability Activities
- Use of solar energy and wind power in production facilities.
- Innovation-driven sustainability assessment for new products.
- Water and waste management programs.
Leadership in Sustainability
IFF is an industry leader in sustainable product innovation, renewable energy adoption, and green chemistry applications.
Firmenich (DSM-Firmenich)
“Sustainability at the Heart of Innovation.”
Sustainability Vision and Mission
Firmenich’s mission is “Creating positive emotions to enhance well-being, naturally.” They integrate sustainability into the production of natural and bio-based ingredients.
Sustainability Strategy
- 100% renewable electricity across operations.
- Water neutrality in high-stress areas.
- Elimination of hazardous chemicals in fragrance and flavor formulations.
Sustainability Activities
- Leadership in green chemistry and eco-friendly product lines.
- Strong biodiversity protection programs.
- Sustainable sourcing of natural ingredients like vanilla and cocoa.
Leadership in Sustainability
Firmenich has set industry benchmarks in ethical sourcing, sustainability certifications, and carbon neutrality efforts.
Symrise
“Inspired by Nature, Driven by Sustainability.”
Sustainability Vision and Mission
Symrise’s vision is “Making the world a better place with sustainable solutions.” Sustainability is integrated into all business aspects, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
Sustainability Strategy
- Carbon footprint reduction by 60% by 2030.
- Use of biodegradable and upcycled ingredients.
- 67% of energy sourced from renewables.
Sustainability Activities
- Recognized in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI).
- Eco-friendly green chemistry product innovations.
- Efficient water and waste management.
Leadership in Sustainability
Symrise is recognized for its leadership in sustainable production and resource conservation.
Takasago International Corporation
“Respecting Nature, Enhancing Life.”
Sustainability Vision and Mission
Takasago’s Vision 2040 is “Care for People, Respect the Environment.” Their mission is to mitigate biodiversity loss and promote environmental sustainability.
Sustainability Strategy
- Climate-positive initiatives.
- Eco-conscious ingredient sourcing.
- Comprehensive biodiversity programs.
Sustainability Activities
- Annual Sustainability Report with biodiversity focus.
- Green manufacturing technologies.
- Sustainable ingredient development.
Leadership in Sustainability
Takasago is a leader in biodiversity-focused sustainability strategies.
McCormick & Company
“Flavors That Care, A Future That Thrives.”
Sustainability Vision and Mission
McCormick’s sustainability goal is “To Improve Lives Through Flavor.”
Sustainability Strategy
- 100% sustainably sourced iconic ingredients (vanilla, cinnamon, black pepper).
- Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
- Fair trade and community impact programs.
Sustainability Activities
- Leading ethical sourcing initiatives.
- Focus on climate action and water conservation.
- Strong corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects.
Leadership in Sustainability
McCormick has won multiple sustainability awards for its industry-leading ethical sourcing practices.
Kerry Group
“Sustainable Nutrition for a Better World.”
Sustainability Vision and Mission
Kerry’s mission is “To Inspire Food and Nourish Life”, with sustainability at the core of its business.
Sustainability Strategy
- 100% sustainable sourcing of key raw materials.
- Carbon-neutral operations by 2050.
- Water conservation and waste reduction programs.
Sustainability Activities
- Leadership in plant-based and alternative proteins.
- Investment in eco-friendly food processing.
- Reducing plastic use in packaging.
Leadership in Sustainability
Kerry Group is a leader in sustainable food innovation and responsible sourcing.
Methodology
We conducted a thorough review of official sustainability reports and disclosures from each company (e.g. annual sustainability or integrated reports, CSR updates, and press releases for 2023-2024). These primary sources provided qualitative statements of vision and strategy and quantitative performance data. We also incorporated third-party evaluations and benchmarks – such as CDP climate scores, EcoVadis ratings, S&P Global (DJSI) rankings, the World Benchmarking Alliance (Food & Agriculture Benchmark), and awards or indices like the Corporate Knights Global 100 – to independently gauge each company’s sustainability performance. To ensure a fair comparison, we identified common evaluation criteria across all companies: (1) Sustainability Vision & Mission – the extent to which sustainability is embedded in their core purpose and values; (2) Sustainability Strategy – how each firm structures its sustainability program (targets, governance, and integration into business strategy); (3) Key Initiatives – specific programs and achievements in environmental management (climate, energy, waste, biodiversity) and social responsibility (ethical sourcing, community impact, workplace diversity); and (4) Leadership & Industry Impact – external recognition, ratings, and contributions to industry-wide sustainability progress. We compared these criteria side-by-side, using consistent benchmarks (e.g. all companies’ climate targets relative to science-based goals, all companies’ responsible sourcing programs, etc.). All factual statements in the analysis are supported by citations from credible sources, and where possible we have used the companies’ own reported data cross-verified with independent assessments. This approach provides a balanced and evidence-backed comparison of sustainability performance in the F&F industry for 2024.
Analysis
Sustainability Vision and Mission
All eight companies underscore sustainability in their corporate vision or mission, though each with a distinct emphasis reflecting their business focus and heritage:
Sustainability Strategy
Each company has translated its vision into a structured sustainability strategy with specific pillars, targets, and governance mechanisms. We compare how these strategies are formulated and integrated:
Leadership and Industry Impact
The leadership these companies demonstrate in sustainability is reflected not just in their internal programs, but in external recognition, rankings, and their influence on industry standards:
ESG Ratings and Awards
ESG Ratings and Awards: The companies frequently rank at the top of sustainability assessments. DSM-Firmenich stands out with a suite of accolades – it holds an MSCI AAA rating
, was rated Prime (B-) by ISS ESG (top decile in its industry)
, and maintains a Gold EcoVadis medal (top 5% of all companies assessed)
. Such ratings indicate strong performance across environmental, social, and governance criteria relative to global peers. McCormick & Company has been repeatedly honored in the Corporate Knights Global 100 list of most sustainable corporations worldwide, reaching #22 globally (and #1 in its industry) in 2023
and also appearing on the list in prior years. McCormick’s inclusion in this index – which measures dozens of quantitative sustainability indicators – signals its all-around leadership (especially notable as it’s primarily a consumer products company, showing it’s possible to be both sustainable and financially successful). Symrise is another leader: it has consistently been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) – Symrise was among the top of its industry with the S&P Global CSA in 2023 placing it in the top 19% of the household & personal products sector
. Symrise also won the BSB “Sustainable Future” Award in 2023 for its sustainability innovations
. Givaudan has been recognized by CDP for climate and water (A- scores) and received a 2023 RE100 Leadership Award for its renewable energy achievements
. Givaudan is often listed in sustainability indices like FTSE4Good and rated highly by Sustainalytics (low ESG risk). IFF achieved EcoVadis Platinum (indicating it’s in the top 1% performers) three years in a row – in its 2023 report IFF notes it is in the “Top 1% of companies assessed”
. IFF has also been on the Ethisphere list of World’s Most Ethical Companies and the JUST Capital rankings for its ESG efforts. Mane Group, though private, has not gone unnoticed: for the third year in a row, Mane’s CSR performance earned an EcoVadis Platinum rating – the highest possible, placing Mane among the top 1% of over 100,000 rated companies
. Mane also significantly improved its CDP results, achieving an “A” in Climate and an A- in Water in the latest assessments
. Takasago has been selected as one of the “Asia-Pacific Climate Leaders” for two consecutive years (2023 and 2024)
– an award by a major financial newspaper recognizing companies in Asia-Pacific for outstanding year-on-year carbon reductions. Takasago also earned 3.5 stars (out of 5) in the Nikkei SDGs Management Survey 2024
, indicating above-average integration of SDGs into management. These third-party recognitions validate the companies’ claims and place them as exemplars that drive peers to improve.
Industry Influence and Collaboration
As market leaders, these companies also shape industry-wide sustainability standards. Many are active in industry associations – for example, all of the top fragrance houses (Givaudan, IFF, DSM-Firmenich, Symrise, Mane, Takasago) work within IFRA (International Fragrance Association) and IOFI (International Organization of the Flavor Industry) to establish sustainability guidelines for the sector. Firmenich executives were instrumental in developing IFRA’s first Sustainability Charter, encouraging the entire fragrance industry to adopt better practices. DSM-Firmenich and Symrise are members of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
, collaborating on initiatives like redefining value chains to be nature-positive. Givaudan and Kerry are part of the UN Global Compact, committing to its Ten Principles and reporting progress annually
. Through AIM-Progress, Takasago and others join forces with consumer goods manufacturers to ensure responsible sourcing across industries (sharing audit results, training suppliers, etc.). Moreover, these companies often share knowledge at conferences and in publications – e.g., on Earth Day 2024 DSM-Firmenich shared its expertise in reducing environmental impact and addressing global food system challenges, signalling thought leadership in sustainability
. Another example of industry leadership is how IFF and Symrise are pioneering sustainable product offerings that enable their customers to meet their own sustainability goals: IFF reported that in 2023 it enabled customers and consumers to avoid 24.6 million tons of CO₂e emissions through the use of its sustainable solutions (such as novel enzymes and biodegradable ingredients)
. By quantifying and publicizing this “handprint” (positive impact) approach, IFF is pushing the industry to consider downstream scope 4 benefits, not just its direct footprint.
Policy Advocacy and Pledges
Many of these firms engage in policy advocacy for sustainability. DSM-Firmenich (formerly DSM) has long been vocal about carbon pricing and climate policy – DSM’s ex-CEO Feike Sijbesma was known for championing a price on carbon in EU markets. Now DSM-Firmenich continues that legacy, advocating for ambitious climate action and aligning with global initiatives like Business Ambition for 1.5°C and Race to Zero. Firmenich was an early signatory to the CEO Water Mandate and has influenced water stewardship practices in the industry. McCormick’s CEO Lawrence Kurzius frequently speaks about the importance of purpose-led business, influencing food industry peers. Givaudan and Symrise have together with other flavor houses pledged to improve the sustainability of natural ingredient supply chains (through the Sustainable Spices Initiative and Sustainable Vanilla Initiative, they collectively set standards that ripple across the sector, improving conditions for thousands of farmers). Another form of leadership is public transparency – all companies publish detailed sustainability reports (Givaudan even integrates it with financial reporting), which encourages competitors to do the same or risk falling behind in stakeholder trust. As a result, even companies not in this top group are now publishing ESG reports and setting targets, following the leaders’ example.
Innovation and Thought Leadership
Sustainability leadership is also evident in innovation. DSM-Firmenich and IFF are investing in biotechnology and green chemistry – DSM-Firmenich’s science teams are working on novel enzymes that enable lower-temperature laundry (saving energy for consumers) and on dietary solutions that reduce methane from livestock (tackling agricultural emissions), which shows a breadth of impact beyond their direct business. Symrise’s focus on “green chemistry compass” (noted by Takasago’s contribution to IFRA’s Green Chemistry guidance
) helps set benchmarks for designing fragrance molecules that are inherently safer and more sustainable. Givaudan launched a Naturality Index to guide perfumers in creating fragrances with a higher percentage of renewable and biodegradable content. Such thought leadership pushes the boundaries of what sustainability means in F&F products and has a multiplier effect as innovations are shared (either openly or through client collaborations) and adopted more widely, raising the sustainability baseline of consumer products.
In terms of competitive positioning, the sustained leadership of these companies in sustainability has begun to shape customer preferences – major consumer goods companies often prefer to partner with F&F suppliers who have strong sustainability credentials to achieve their own ESG goals. Thus, Givaudan, IFF, DSM-Firmenich, Symrise, et al., by leading on sustainability, also gain commercial advantage and influence the entire value chain toward greener practices. Competitively, while all eight companies are performing well, DSM-Firmenich, Symrise, and Givaudan often appear at the very top of external ESG rankings, suggesting they currently hold a slight edge in all-rounded sustainability performance. However, each company has areas where it particularly shines: IFF on product sustainability innovation, McCormick on community and global sustainability recognition, Kerry on nutrition and climate strategy, Mane on third-party ratings in a private context, Takasago on steady improvements and regional leadership. The gap between them is not vast – indicating a healthy competitive dynamic that is accelerating progress.
Finally, their industry impact can be seen in the broader trend: the flavors and fragrances sector is now recognized as one of the more proactive and transparent segments in the chemicals/value-added food industry regarding sustainability. By pioneering initiatives (from climate-positive goals to ethical supply chains and circular product design), these companies not only future-proof their own operations but also serve as case studies for sustainable transformation that other industries can learn from. Each annual sustainability report and public commitment they make raises the bar – and collectively, their leadership is moving the needle toward a more sustainable and responsible flavor and fragrance industry.
