IFF has announced plans to install a nature-based hydrogen production facility at its Scent R&D and fragrance ingredients manufacturing plant in Benicarló, Spain. The global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, and biosciences has partnered with Iberdrola, one of the world's largest producers of renewable energy, to become the first site in the fragrance industry to rely on renewable electricity for hydrogenation reactions used in manufacturing key fragrance ingredients.

The facility, announced on November 6, 2025, can produce 100 tons of clean hydrogen annually using renewable energy. The system includes a built-in compressor to store hydrogen on-site, reducing the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of its products and helping customers worldwide achieve their decarbonization goals.

Shift from Traditional Hydrogen Production

The new hydrogen production capability represents a major departure from traditional “grey hydrogen” production methods, such as steam methane reforming, which rely on fossil fuels and off-site production. According to Jaime Gomezflores, senior vice president of global operations manufacturing for IFF Scent, this development marks “the first step to providing technology and expanding the production to reduce operational emissions in the future.”

The site's geography is well-suited to green hydrogen production, given Spain's abundant natural resources and industrial demand. Powered by solar panels, the green hydrogen production facility uses the renewable energy for hydrogenation reactions needed to create more than 50 key IFF ingredients, including Cashmeran and Kharismal.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability Goals

The switch to green hydrogen eliminates 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, helping IFF meet its sustainability targets. The company has committed to cutting direct emissions (scope 1 and 2) by 50% and indirect emissions (scope 3) by 30% by 2030. In the long term, IFF aims to achieve net-zero emissions from its operations by 2040. This initiative aligns with the company's commitment to Do More Good for people and planet. The environmental benefits come from replacing fossil-fuel-based hydrogen production with on-site renewable energy.

Partnership and Future Plans

The new production facility operates under a 10-year renewable hydrogen energy agreement with Iberdrola. IFF plans to use this industry-first integrated green hydrogen plant as a blueprint for innovation across its manufacturing network. The transition to green hydrogen is part of IFF's broader sustainability initiatives. Over the past year, the company has unveiled its ECHA-compliant, biodegradable scent delivery system for fabric care, ENVIROCAP, and announced a partnership with Reservas Votorantim for sustainable bioprospecting in Brazil's largest private Atlantic Forest reserve.

The IFF Benicarló site is dedicated to the creation of fragrance ingredients and serves as both a research and development facility and manufacturing plant for the company's scent division. The integration of green hydrogen production represents a significant technological advancement for sustainable fragrance ingredient manufacturing.

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