IFF has opened a nature-based green hydrogen production facility at its Benicarló, Spain, site, becoming the first in the fragrance industry to use renewable electricity for key manufacturing reactions.
IFF, a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, and biosciences, has announced a landmark achievement in sustainable manufacturing with the installation of an on-site, nature-based green hydrogen production facility at its Scent R&D and manufacturing plant in Benicarló, Spain. This move, executed through a 10-year renewable hydrogen energy agreement with Iberdrola, one of the world's largest renewable energy producers, positions IFF as the first company in the fragrance industry to utilize renewable electricity for the hydrogenation reactions essential to creating key fragrance ingredients.
The new solar-powered system is designed to produce 100 tons of clean hydrogen annually and includes a built-in compressor for on-site storage. This capability marks a significant shift away from traditional "gray hydrogen" production, which relies on fossil fuels and offsite sourcing, a process known as steam methane reforming.
The transition to green hydrogen is a core initiative in IFF's commitment to "Do More Good" for people and the planet. According to Jaime Gomezflores, senior vice president of global operations manufacturing for IFF Scent, the new capability represents "a major shift from traditional 'gray hydrogen' production methods" and is the "first step to providing technology and expanding the production to reduce operational emissions in the future."
By eliminating 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, the facility directly supports IFF's aggressive sustainability targets. These goals include cutting direct emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 50% and indirect emissions (Scope 3) by 30% by 2030. Looking ahead, the company aims for net zero emissions from its operations by 2040.
The Benicarló site, strategically located in Spain to benefit from abundant natural resources and industrial demand, specializes in the creation of fragrance ingredients. The green hydrogen is used for the critical hydrogenation reactions needed to produce over 50 key IFF ingredients, including the popular synthetic molecules Cashmeran and Kharismal. Cashmeran is known for its warm, woody, and musky profile, while Kharismal provides a floral, jasmine-like scent.
IFF intends for this integrated green hydrogen plant to serve as a blueprint for innovation across its entire global manufacturing network. This decarbonization effort follows other recent sustainability initiatives, such as the launch of the $\text{ECHA}$-compliant, biodegradable scent delivery system ENVIROCAP, and a partnership for sustainable bioprospecting in Brazil's private Atlantic Forest reserve. The project not only reduces IFF's Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) but also aids its customers worldwide in achieving their own decarbonization goals.
