Givaudan S.A. is a global leader in flavours, fragrances, and active beauty ingredients, with a longstanding presence in Brazil. Operating in the country through innovation centres, manufacturing facilities, and partnerships with local biodiversity networks, Givaudan Brasil is at the forefront of sensory innovation tailored to Latin American consumers.
Brief History
Founded in 1895 in Switzerland, Givaudan has evolved over more than a century into the world’s largest company in the fragrance and flavour industry. Givaudan Brasil began operations in São Paulo several decades ago, expanding through regional investments and acquisitions, including the 2023 majority stake purchase in Brazilian fragrance house Vollmens Fragrances.
Core Business
Givaudan’s Brazilian division serves as a hub for:
- Fragrance & Beauty innovation for fine fragrance, personal care, and active cosmetics
- Taste & Wellbeing solutions for the food, beverage, and nutritional supplement industries
- Development and sourcing of botanical extracts through sustainable biodiversity programs
The company integrates local raw materials with cutting-edge science and consumer insights to develop bespoke sensory experiences.
Product and Service Offerings
Taste & Wellbeing
- Natural flavour systems for beverages, dairy, snacks, and plant-based foods
- Functional ingredients: botanicals, probiotics, plant proteins
- Sugar, salt, and fat reduction technologies
- Local flavour mapping and regionalised formulation
Fragrance & Beauty
- Fine fragrance creation for perfumes and colognes
- Functional fragrance for haircare, skincare, and fabric care
- Active cosmetic ingredients including anti-aging, hydration, and skin-tone enhancement
Signature Product Range (Brazil)
- RitualEssenz™ Brazil:
A collection of ethically sourced botanical extracts from Brazilian flora, including:
- Guaraná (energy, antioxidant)
- Yerba Mate (stimulant, anti-fatigue)
- Jambu (tingling sensation, anti-inflammatory)
These are used in skincare, haircare, wellness drinks, and personal fragrances.
Specialization and USP
Givaudan Brasil’s unique selling points include:
- Deep local consumer understanding through Brazilian Sensory Centre
- Integration with Brazilian biodiversity for novel active ingredients
- Proprietary AI and data platforms for fragrance and flavour development
- State-of-the-art facilities for co-creation with local and regional clients
- Pioneering green chemistry, encapsulation technologies, and fermentation-based actives
Financials
- Global Revenue (2024): CHF 7.4 billion (approx. USD 8.4 billion)
- Brazil Revenue Share: Estimated 6–7% of global revenue, approx. CHF 450–520 million
- Employee Count (Global): ~16,942; Brazil: ~1,200
- Investment in R&D (Global): ~CHF 400 million annually (5.4% of sales)
Brazil remains one of Givaudan’s top 5 regional markets, supported by localised innovation, manufacturing, and strategic sourcing.
Shipment & Trade Activity
- Major manufacturing site in São Paulo with production lines for fragrances, flavours, and actives
- Exports fragrance compounds, essential oils, and botanical extracts to other Givaudan sites and clients in Latin America, Europe, and North America
- Brazilian supply chain includes over 80 rural farming communities, particularly for guaraná, copaiba, and jambu
Target Market
- Multinational food & beverage brands requiring Latin American flavour profiles
- Local cosmetic and perfumery companies developing regionally relevant SKUs
- Wellness and functional beauty brands sourcing clean-label botanical actives
- Household care producers in need of high-performance and sustainable fragrance solutions
Capabilities
- São Paulo Innovation Centre equipped with sensory labs, consumer panels, and AI tools
- Manufacturing capacity for liquid and powder flavours, encapsulated fragrances, botanical extracts
- Sustainable sourcing programs across Amazonas, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest biomes
- Integrated R&D-to-market development model for fast product launches
Certifications and Compliance
- ISO 9001, FSSC 22000, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001
- RSPO certification for palm oil derivatives
- Compliant with ANVISA, FDA, EFSA, and REACH standards
- Participation in SEDEX, EcoVadis, and Biodiversity Partnership MVO
Customer Testimonials
"The RitualEssenz™ Brazil collection was a game-changer for our product differentiation strategy in premium skincare."
— Head of Product Innovation, Latin American Cosmetics Brand
"Givaudan’s local expertise and regional flavour solutions helped us regionalise our RTD beverage line for the Brazilian market with speed and precision."
— R&D Director, Global Beverage Manufacturer
Major Achievements
- Acquisition of Vollmens Fragrances (2023) expanding local fragrance portfolio and clientele
- Launch of RitualEssenz™ Brazil, integrating biodiversity and sensory impact
- Recognized as #1 in Corporate Sustainability by Dow Jones Sustainability Index
- Developed AI-powered Carto platform for fragrance mapping adapted for Brazilian market
- Partnered with local communities for sustainable guaraná and copaiba extraction, supporting over 350 farming families
