BASF enters the natural flavour and fragrance market

With the acquisition of Isobionics, a biotechnology innovation leader serving the global market for natural flavours and fragrances (F&F), BASF is entering a market with high development potential.

Isobionics, located in Geleen in the Netherlands, develops and produces a wide range of natural ingredients with a focus on citrus oil components such as nootkatone and valencene.

To further expand its presence in the sector, BASF has also signed a cooperation agreement with US-based metabolic engineering company Conagen, which will help the German multinational to broaden its portfolio with natural vanillin, one of the aroma ingredients with the highest market demand.

Conagen is highly specialised in the development and commercialisation of fermented ingredients based on fungi or bacteria.

BASF’s Nutrition & Health division also recently established a global business unit dedicated to the research and production of enzymes for application in the food and animal feed industries.