Lallemand Bio-Ingredients unveils yeast-based vanillin for sweet scents
Key takeaways
- Lallemand’s yeast-fermented Hevani vanillin delivers 98% purity, natural status, and a year-round supply independent of harvests.
- Precision fermentation closes the gap between volatile conventional vanilla sourcing and synthetic alternatives that consumers increasingly reject.
- Vanilla’s rising popularity among Gen Z’s smellmaxxing trend makes natural vanillin a strategically timed launch.
Lallemand Bio-Ingredients has unveiled its latest vanillin-based aroma solution, Hevani. The launch comes as younger consumers continue to seek ethically sourced, sustainable personal care solutions. The ingredient is produced via yeast fermentation technology gained through the company’s recent acquisition of Evolva.
According to the company, the ingredient is ideal for and approved for fragrance and cosmetics in the EU and the US. Lallemand also touts Hevani’s versatility, stating that it can be used to create evocative scents for formats such as perfumes, balms, and lipsticks.
Innova Market Insights’ data suggest that fragrance ingredient launches grew at an average annual rate of 51% from 2021 to 2025, with sustainability emerging as a key factor in NPD. At the same time, data suggest that, globally, consumers prioritize clean label and natural ingredients in their products.
“Our global customers demand high-quality, natural ingredients that align with their sustainability goals,” says Danielle Cusumano, Lallemand Bio-Ingredients’ VP of enzymes and aromas. “Hevani’s US & EU natural status is a testament to our commitment to meeting these needs and supporting our customers in creating exceptional products.”
Sustainable and scalable
Though vanilla is one of fragrance’s most traditional and versatile ingredients, harvest volatility and price fluctuations can disrupt conventional sourcing. At the same time, synthetic alternatives can clash with the natural claims personal care consumers increasingly require.
Lallemand says Hevani closes this gap with its yeast-based precision fermentation process. The company underscores that the process produces vanillin at 98% purity and is free from pesticides and heavy metals. Additionally, precision fermentation provides customers with a year-round supply independent of agricultural cycles.
“Evolvas deep know-how in precision fermentation and R&D capabilities present an ideal platform from which to expand our product offering — ensuring consistent quality and scalability,” says Lars Asferg, president of Lallemand Bio-Ingredients.
Asferg emphasizes that the yeast-based technology ensures consistent quality and scalability to its customers.
Meeting the latest trends
The ingredient also speaks to emerging scent trends. Research reveals that vanilla is becoming a sought-after aroma among Gen Z consumers. A recent survey conducted by Unilever found that the demographic displayed a preference for sweet scents, such as vanilla, strawberries, and cherry blossom, as part of the growing “smellmaxxing” trend.
That taste for sweetness also extends beyond perfume. UK intimate wellness brand Amorecco recently introduced lickable perfume Late Night Gelato, which blends edible vanilla and coconut. The launch banks on vanilla’s ability to evoke emotion and nostalgia through scent and taste.
Lallemand highlights that Hevani raises the stakes for emotional and sensory storytelling through ingredients, as well as elevating quality and naturalness.
Additionally, Hevani Natural Vanillin has natural status in the EU and the US for cosmetics and fragrance. The ingredient also meets the requirements for compliance with the International Fragrance Association.
