HOLZMINDEN, Germany—Symrise decided to stop harvesting natural bisabolol from the candeia tree that grows in the Brazilian rain forest. As the sustainable supply of candeia oil can no longer be guaranteed, the company is focusing on the production of highly pure nature-identical bisabolol: Dragosantol® and Dragosantol® 100.
This decision is part of Symrise’s corporate social responsibility strategy. Sustainability is an integral part of its management principles. The company has been fulfilling its environmental responsibilities for many years by only selling natural bisabolol from sustainable sources, thereby protecting the native candeia tree as a natural resource.
Alpha-bisabolol is an essential soothing ingredient in many personal care products for sensitive skin, and hair and for baby care. The natural active substance is derived from the oil of the candeia tree (Vanillosmopsis erythropappa), which grows in the southeast and midwest of Brazil in the Mata Atlantica forest. The tree is under threat in Brazil because its natural environment is constantly shrinking. Around 20,000 m³ of candeia wood are needed every year to cover global demand for candeia oil, according to an estimate by LAVRAS University.
By replacing natural alpha-bisabolol with nature-identical, synthetic alpha-bisabolol in its product portfolio, Symrise is now making an additional contribution to limiting the deforestation of the endangered Atlantic rainforest in Brazil. The use of Dragosantol 100 means even fewer candeia trees need to be felled.
“As the largest supplier of alpha-bisabolol, we are well aware of our responsibility and clearly commit ourselves to safeguarding the Brazilian rainforest," said Véronique Maurin, global product director cosmetic ingredients at Symrise. “For us, this means making an active contribution to society and the environment."
Dragosantol 100 is a pure synthetic alpha-bisabolol and an alternative to natural bisabolol. Both grades of the nature-identical bisabolol reduce skin irritations and thereby provide highly effective help against inflammation of the skin.
