Symrise and CRIEPPAM partner for white lavender bio-regeneration and sustainable supply chains

31 Mar 2022 --- Fragrance giant Symrise and French research institute Centre Régionalisé Interprofessionnel d'Expérimentation en Plantes à Parfum, Aromatiques et Médicinales (CRIEPPAM) are partnering to produce Symrises’ next generation of white lavender plants.

Within three years, the collaboration aims to be certified by ‘Plants Sains’ for a sustainable supply chain, ensuring traceability and providing farmers with healthy lavender plants.

“In late 2020, our partnering lavender farmers requested us join the ‘Plants Sains’ system to fight against a chronic lavender disease,” says Beatrice Favre-Bulle, SVP perfumery excellence at Symrise.

“A bacterial infection causes it and leads to significant harvest losses affecting the farmers’ income. To secure the Symrise White Lavender supply chain, Symrise took immediate action.” 

Lavender offers various benefits and applications to perfume, including home fragrances and aromatherapy and cosmetics. “Lavender represent a major occupation and income for farmers in this region,” shares Symrise.

Combating bacterial infection 
Favre-Bulle further explains that an in-vitro technique produces “100% guaranteed bacteria-free seedlings.”    

“The technique uses the maturation of stem cells called ‘Meristems.’ They consist of very young, undifferentiated, and healthy cells present in the buds at the tips of stems and roots. They can multiply and transform into bacteria-free structures, which will generate a healthy plant,” she adds.   

Bert Candaele, director at CRIEPPAM, says: “This process proved surprisingly successful within less than a year.” 

A new generation of plants
CRIEPPAM is to host the new generation of Plants Sains plants. Additionally, it will increase partners with nursery workers. 

“Symrise has become the exclusive owner of the regenerated ‘Mount Angele’ white lavender,” adds Beatrice. 

“Our partner farmers are looking forward to planting these fresh seedlings.” 

Symrise has collaborated with CRIEPPAM since 2020 on a bio-regeneration project for producing “100% certified healthy lavender plants.” 

Plant Sains certification
Based on the Institut national de la recherche agronomique’s suggestion, the Plant Sains certification program began in 2000. CRIEPPAM and Symrise have been working to sustainably cultivate lavender since 2012.

Due to bacterial infection, many major lavender producers responded due to a decline in lavender and lavandin supply. 

“The network aims at producing seeds guaranteed free from Stolbur phytoplasma and all other diseases at the time of planting,” says Symrise. 

“Since the creation of the network, the production of healthy plants has increased and reached more than 10 million certified plants each year.” 

Symrise’s collaboration comes when it expands to the European “birthplace of perfumery” with SFA Romani and Groupe Neroli acquisition. 

Edited by Venya Patel