
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) is an American corporation that creates products across various categories, including taste, texture, scent, nutrition, enzymes, and more. The company was formed in 1958 through the merger of two successful businesses, Polak & Schwarz (P&S) and van Ameringen-Haebler. With a history dating back to 1889, IFF has established itself as a global leader in the flavours, fragrances, food ingredients, and health & biosciences industries. Headquartered in New York City, IFF operates in 44 countries, delivering sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products and experiences. The company's perfumers and scientists work together to create high-performing, mindful scent solutions and cutting-edge biotech products, always striving to unleash the emotional power of scent and bring joy to consumers worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Formation | 1958 |
| Headquarters | Manhattan, New York City |
| Facilities | Creative, sales, and manufacturing facilities in 44 countries |
| Products | Flavours, fragrances, food ingredients, health & biosciences, scent solutions, biotech solutions, laundry products, candles |
| Achievements | First Cradle to Cradle Certified™ fragrance, Platinum level Material Health Certificate, member of the S&P 500 index, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Gold rating by EcoVadis for sustainability |
| Research | Market-driven research on consumer insights and societal trends, IFF Science of Wellness program, PANOPTIC (trend intelligence tool), Living Flower™ Technology |
| Awards | IFF Science Awards, CDP Climate "A" List, American Business Act on Climate Pledge |
| Partnerships | Unilever, Oxfam Great Britain, Ford Foundation, Heifer International, ISIPCA |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) is an American corporation that creates products across various categories
- The company was formed in 1958 by the merger of two successful companies, Polak & Schwarz and van Ameringen-Haebler
- IFF has a rich history of innovation, including the first scent strips in children's books and the first natural flavour ingredient on an industrial scale
- They have a strong focus on sustainability, with initiatives like the PuraVita™ fragrance and the Vetiver Together Partnership
- IFF's perfumery school, located in its New York headquarters, welcomes trainees from all over the world to invent the perfumes of tomorrow

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) is an American corporation that creates products across various categories
IFF is headquartered in New York City and has a presence in 44 countries worldwide, with creative, sales, and manufacturing facilities. The company has a rich history of innovation and is known for its cutting-edge science and sustainable practices. IFF's perfumers and scientists work together to create high-performing products, leveraging the intricate connections between scent, microbiome, and dietary supplements. Their products range from fragrances and laundry detergents to food and beverage solutions, health and biosciences, and even biotech innovations.
One of IFF's notable innovations is its Perfumery School, established in its New York headquarters under the direction of industry veteran Ron Winnegrad. IFF is also committed to sustainability and was the first flavours and fragrances company to join "Together for Sustainability" (TfS), driving responsible sourcing throughout their supply chain. In 2016, IFF achieved a 7% year-over-year reduction in GHG emissions intensity and was recognised for its sustainability efforts with a gold rating by EcoVadis.
IFF's history of innovation is further exemplified by its revolutionary process of inking with microencapsulation, which produced the first scent strips used in children's "scratch-n-sniff" books. Additionally, IFF pioneered the concept of Aroma Science in collaboration with Yale University's Psychophysiology Department, studying the effect of fragrance on human emotions. IFF's scientists, such as Dr Braja Mookerjee, have made significant contributions to the industry, including the development of Living Flower® technology, which captures the scents of biodiverse plants from around the world.
The Floral Oriental Scent of Flowerbomb: A Review
You may want to see also

The company was formed in 1958 by the merger of two successful companies, Polak & Schwarz and van Ameringen-Haebler
International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) is a global leader in the creation of unique and innovative scents, flavours, and fragrances. The company was formed in 1958 by the merger of two successful companies, Polak & Schwarz and van Ameringen-Haebler.
Polak & Schwarz (P&S) was founded in 1889 in the small Dutch town of Zutphen by Leopold Schwarz and his brother-in-law, Joseph Polak. P&S specialised in spices, flavours, and fragrances, and quickly expanded to 36 sites globally. In 1909, the company opened a site in the United States. Arnold Louis (A.L.) van Ameringen was hired by P&S to open their US office in 1917 but was later let go. Undeterred, he opened his own company, van Ameringen & Co., in Manhattan in 1917, which became van Ameringen-Haebler (VAH) in 1929.
In the decades that followed, both P&S and VAH thrived in the flavours and fragrances industry. P&S had particular strengths in flavours, while VAH built a powerful reputation in fragrances. By the time of their merger in 1958, P&S had established 36 sites worldwide, while VAH had become a well-known fragrance company.
The merger of these two successful companies created an instant global player in the flavours and fragrances industry. IFF quickly expanded its operations worldwide, establishing facilities on six continents and working closely with clients in various industries. The company continued to innovate and develop new products, with its research and development team responsible for many groundbreaking discoveries. IFF introduced popular fragrances such as Cool Water and pioneered sustainable, eco-friendly fragrance extraction methods.
Today, IFF remains a leader in the flavours and fragrances industry, with over 100 facilities and more than 24,000 employees across 65 countries. The company continues to push the boundaries of science, developing sustainable solutions for healthy living and creating high-performing products for various applications, including food, beverages, cosmetics, and personal care.
Green Irish Tweed: Summer Freshness or Not?
You may want to see also

IFF has a rich history of innovation, including the first scent strips in children's books and the first natural flavour ingredient on an industrial scale
IFF, or International Flavors and Fragrances, is a global leader in its field. Established in 1889, the company has a rich history of innovation, including two significant firsts: the first scent strips in children's books and the first natural flavour ingredient on an industrial scale.
The first scent strips in children's books, also known as "scratch-n-sniff", were produced by IFF using a revolutionary process of inking with microencapsulation. This process involves blending scented oils with a polymer at a very high speed, causing the oil to separate into small droplets. These droplets are then encapsulated in a sticky substance and bound onto books in the form of stickers. When a reader scratches the page, the encapsulation is broken, releasing the scent.
IFF's innovation in this area revolutionized the way children could interact with books, making reading a multi-sensory experience. The company's expertise in fragrance development, backed by market-driven research and consumer insights, was key to the success of this innovation.
In addition to their work with scent strips, IFF also made history by producing the first all-natural flavour ingredient on an industrial scale through pure culture, sterile fermentation. This achievement demonstrated IFF's commitment to using cutting-edge science and an integrated sustainability approach to create high-performing products.
IFF's enzymes and advanced yeast support a wide range of products, enabling faster and more sustainable processes. The company's innovative capabilities have expanded beyond flavours and fragrances, with developments in laundry detergents, renewable fuels, low-calorie sweeteners, and more.
The Fresh Scent of Irish Spring: Unveiling Its Fragrance Notes
You may want to see also

They have a strong focus on sustainability, with initiatives like the PuraVita™ fragrance and the Vetiver Together Partnership
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) is an American company that creates and markets products in categories such as taste, texture, scent, nutrition, enzymes, and cultures. IFF has a strong focus on sustainability and has implemented several initiatives to reduce its environmental impact and support communities.
One notable initiative is the development of the PuraVita™ fragrance, which was released in 2016 as the first-ever Cradle to Cradle Certified™ fragrance. Designed with sustainability in mind, PuraVita™ earned IFF a Platinum level Material Health Certificate. The fragrance was created in collaboration with a sustainable design firm and a sustainable chemistry expert, ensuring that it adheres to strict sustainable design principles.
Another key initiative is the Vetiver Together Partnership, launched in 2016 by IFF and Unilever. This partnership aims to improve the lives of vetiver farming communities in Haiti by addressing economic challenges and providing training in areas such as crop and livestock production, soil conservation, and nutrition. Vetiver oil is a common ingredient in fragrances and an important crop for Unilever. Through this partnership, IFF and Unilever aim to strengthen the supply chain, improve food security, increase yields, and promote environmental conservation and women's empowerment.
In addition to these initiatives, IFF has also demonstrated its commitment to sustainability through other projects. In 2014, they opened a 4,000-kilowatt Photovoltaic Solar Installation in New Jersey, supplying a significant portion of the energy needs for their fragrance manufacturing facilities. IFF has also achieved LEED Silver Certification for its Flavors Creative Center in Indonesia and received Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Supply Chain Certification for its facilities in the US, UK, and the Netherlands. Furthermore, IFF joined the Well Living Lab as a Sustaining Alliance Member in 2016 and is a member of the European Flavour Association, showcasing their dedication to creating healthier indoor spaces and adhering to flavour industry standards.
Dial White: Fragrance-Free or Not?
You may want to see also

IFF's perfumery school, located in its New York headquarters, welcomes trainees from all over the world to invent the perfumes of tomorrow
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) is an American company that creates products across categories like taste, texture, scent, nutrition, enzymes, and probiotics. The company was formed in 1958 by the merger of two companies: Pollak & Schwartz (P&S) and van Ameringen-Haebler. IFF has since become a global leader in its field, with a presence in 44 countries and its headquarters in New York City.
IFF's perfumery school, located in its New York headquarters, is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and talent development. The school welcomes trainees from all over the world, reflecting IFF's diverse and international character. The perfumery school is headed by Ron Winnegrad and is highly competitive, with only a few spots available each year.
The curriculum at IFF's perfumery school is comprehensive and covers various aspects of fragrance creation. Students delve into the foundations and cutting-edge advancements in the field, exploring specializations such as fine, consumer, technical, and R&D perfumery. They learn about the history of perfume, study raw materials extensively, and gain insights into market trends and consumer preferences. Creative workshops, personal development sessions, and experiential visits to places like Grasse, France, enhance their practical knowledge.
The program also includes internships at IFF creative centers, where students are mentored by senior perfumers and company leaders. This hands-on experience prepares them for future roles and helps them apply their knowledge in a real-world setting. IFF's perfumery school is not just about training but also about fostering a community of passionate individuals who share a love for scent and innovation.
Through its perfumery school, IFF empowers its trainees to become the perfumers of tomorrow. By providing a combination of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and industry insights, the school equips its graduates with the tools to push the boundaries of perfumery and create fragrances that captivate and inspire. The school's impact can be seen in the innovative products IFF brings to market and the success stories of its alumni, who go on to shape the fragrance industry worldwide.
Explore the Fragrance Flower by Scentsy: A Cost Analysis
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) is an American corporation that creates products across taste, texture, scent, nutrition, enzymes, cultures, soy proteins, and probiotics categories, which it markets globally.
International Flavors and Fragrances was formed in 1958 by the merger of two companies: Polak & Schwarz (founded in 1889) and van Ameringen-Haebler. The company expanded globally and by the 1970s, more than half of IFF's sales were coming from international markets.
IFF has a rich history of innovation, including being the first to produce scent strips for children's "scratch-n-sniff" books and the first all-natural flavour ingredient on an industrial scale. In 2016, IFF released the first-ever Cradle to Cradle Certified™ fragrance: PuraVita™. The company has also been recognised for its sustainability efforts, achieving a Gold rating by EcoVadis.
IFF's product development is driven by market-driven research on consumer insights and societal trends. The company has a strong focus on sustainability, aiming to create solutions that empower healthy living and minimise environmental impact.
IFF's Perfumery School, located in its New York headquarters, was opened to train perfumery talents and invent the perfumery of tomorrow. The school welcomes trainees from every continent and has produced several master perfumers.







