IFF Unveils Expansion of LMR Naturals Site in France, Accelerating Innovation and Sustainable Ingredient Leadership

International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) has officially inaugurated its newly expanded LMR Naturals facility in Grasse, France after a €10 million investment, increasing the site’s footprint by 75% to 4,687 square meters and enhancing its status as a global innovation hub for natural ingredients.

The upgraded location now houses a state-of-the-art pilot hall, designed to accelerate the development and rapid prototyping of new botanical extracts, and is supported by an on-site experimental field providing direct access to plant materials. Founded in 1983 and acquired by IFF in 2000, LMR Naturals processes 85,000 tons of biomass annually, offering a portfolio of more than 850 ingredients from 130 botanical families, and serves both perfumery and flavor sectors. The expansion brings together more than 30 research and development experts, promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration and a seamless "seed-to-bottle" process that streamlines traceability and sustainability in ingredient production.

IFF aims to launch four to six new products annually from the Grasse site, with innovation and eco-consciousness at the core—reflected in dual certifications (For Life and Zero Waste to Landfill) and a minimum waste valorization rate of 98%. CEO Erik Fyrwald emphasized the strategic value of LMR Naturals, noting that the investment deepens the company’s roots in the "global center of excellence for natural ingredients" and positions IFF to meet rising global demand for transparent, high-performing, and sustainable natural solutions. The development marks a transformative step for the future of perfumery, flavor creation, and broader market sectors by fusing tradition with advanced bioscience and circular production models.

Source: IFF