Not to be confused with Gévaudan.
Givaudan S.A.
TypePublic
ISINCH0010645932
IndustryFlavours and fragrance
Founded1895; 131 years ago (1895) in Zurich
HeadquartersVernier, canton of Geneva, Switzerland
Number of locations
162 Locations worldwide
Key people
ProductsTaste & Wellbeing and Fragrance and Beauty
RevenueIncrease SFr 7,472 million (2025)
Decrease SFr 1,381 million (2025)
Decrease SFr 1,071 million (2025)
Total assetsDecrease SFr 11,864 million (2025)
Total equityDecrease SFr 4,537 million (2025)
Number of employees
17,580 (2025)
Websitewww.givaudan.com Edit this at Wikidata
Footnotes

Givaudan S.A. (pronounced [ʒivodɑ̃]) is a Swiss multinational manufacturer of flavours, fragrances and active cosmetic ingredients. As of 2025, it was the world's largest company in the flavour and fragrance industry.[3][4]

Overview

The company's scents and flavours are developed for food and beverage makers, and also used in household goods, as well as grooming and personal care products and perfumes.

The company has two business segments, "Taste & Wellbeing", pertaining to the manufacture of flavors for the food and beverage industry; and "Fragrance & Beauty", which manufactures fragrances for cosmetics, household products, personal care products, and fine fragrance, in addition to fragrance ingredients.[5]

Givaudan's flavours and fragrances are usually custom-made and sold under confidentiality agreements.[6] Givaudan uses a patented technology that captures the chemical makeup of smell from living plants.[7] The company has locations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific.[8] In 2025, Givaudan had sales of CHF 7.4 billion.[9] It is one of Switzerland's 30 biggest listed companies in terms of market capitalization.[10]

Givaudan is a member of the European Flavour Association.[11][12] Major competitors include Firmenich, International Flavors and Fragrances and Symrise.[13]

History

The Givaudan factory in Vernier (photograph dated between 1918 and 1930)

Givaudan was founded as a perfumery company in 1895 in Zurich, Switzerland by Léon and Xavier Givaudan.[14][15] Through businesses that were later incorporated into the group, its broader historical roots have been traced to the perfumery activities of Antoine Chiris in Grasse in 1768.[16][17] Another branch of the group’s history derives from the American fragrance and flavour house Dodge & Olcott, established in 1796 and merged into Givaudan through Fritzsche, Dodge & Olcott in the 1990s.[18]

In 1898, Givaudan moved to Geneva, Switzerland and constructed a factory in Vernier.[19][20][21] In 1946, Givaudan opened a perfumery school, which trained a third of the world's creative perfumers. In 1948 the company acquired Ersolko SA, which transitioned Givaudan also into the flavor industry.[22] In 1963, Givaudan was acquired by Roche and in 1964, Roche acquired one of Givaudan's competitors, Roure. Roure was founded in Grasse, France during 1820. In 1937 Roure created the first designer perfume: Shocking for Schiaparelli.[23][24] Givaudan's original United States fragrance headquarters, in Teaneck, New Jersey, was built in 1972 from a design by Der Scutt, architect of the Trump Tower.[25] The company later moved to East Hanover, New Jersey.[26]

Givaudan-Roure

In 1991 Givaudan and Roure were merged to form Givaudan-Roure.[27] Also in 1991, the company bought Fritzsche, Dodge and Olcott.[22] In 1997 Givaudan-Roure acquired another flavor company, Tastemaker, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The merger made Givaudan the largest flavor company in the world.[22] In 2000 Givaudan-Roure was spun off by Roche as Givaudan and listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (Code GIVN.VX) where it is part of the SMI, SLI and SPI.[27]

2000s

In 2002 Givaudan acquired FIS, the flavors division of Nestle,[28] for which Nestle received a 10% stake in the company.[29] The following year, Givaudan purchased the cheese flavor company IBF.[22] In 2004 the company expanded its operations in China, which had been in place since the 1990s.[30]

On 22 November 2006, Givaudan announced the acquisition of Quest International to be completed Q1 2007.[31] On 21 February 2007, the EU approved the merger of Givaudan and Quest, clearing the final regulatory hurdle for the merger after the United States authorities approved the merger earlier in the month.[32] The merger deal closed on 2 March 2007.[31] The acquisition makes Givaudan the global leader in both fine fragrances and consumer products; it was already the global leader in flavors and the acquisition of Quest International strengthens their position.[33]

In 2013 Nestle sold its share in Givaudan for $1.3 billion.[29] By 2014 the company had about US$4.6 billion in revenues.[34] That year, the company had its first acquisition since Quest, purchasing Soliance.[35] Givaudan also released the TasteSolutions Richness line of flavors.[36] It also launched the Givaudan Foundation, and has a programme that works with patchouli and other grower collection networks to establish sustainable development practices, called the Innovative Naturals programme.[37][38]

Since 2014, Givaudan had acquired around 20 companies, among them Naturex,[39] the cosmetics business of AMSilk,[40] Albert Vieille,[41] Fragrance Oils,[42] and Golden Frog.[43]

In 2021, Givaudan acquired Louisville, Ky.-based dye and coloring manufacturer D.D. Williamson.[44]

In 2022, Givaudan, the mechanical engineering company Bühler, and Migros wanted to open the Cultured Food Innovation Hub in Kemptthal. Research was also to be carried out there on cultivated meat.[45]

On March 7, 2023, Givaudan confirmed that it was the target of an industry-wide investigation by European and Swiss authorities. Investigators were looking into a possible cartel in the supply of fragrances and fragrance ingredients. Companies face fines as much as 10% of their global turnover for violating EU antitrust rules.[46]

In 2024, Givaudan announced a partnership with Chinese e-retailer TMall to support growing local demand for fragrance products.[47]

In 2026, Givaudan joined a 10-year Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with PepsiCo, Smurfit Westrock, and Statkraft. The agreement is linked to the repowering of a wind farm in Spain. The companies said the agreement was intended to support renewable electricity procurement and value-chain decarbonisation across Europe.[48][49][50]

Givaudan incidents

On July 10, 1976, the Seveso accident, Italy's worst ecological disaster, released a toxic cloud into the atmosphere. Italy's highest court awarded moral damages to the residents for anxiety incurred. Givaudan, the parent company of ICMESA paid EUR103.9 million (US$90.3 million) in cleanup costs and compensation to those who suffered physical injuries as a result of the incident.[51]

In November 2024, an explosion occurred at the Louisville, Kentucky Givaudan Sense Color (formerly D.D. Williamson). Two workers died as a result of the explosion, and a dozen were injured.[52]

Notes and references

  1. ^ "Givaudan SA". Reuters. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  2. ^ "Leadership Overhaul: Givaudan Names New CEO, Sets 2030 Vision". Modaes Global. 27 August 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  3. ^ "Largest flavors and fragrances companies by market cap". CompaniesMarketCap.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2026. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  4. ^ "Flavors and Fragrances Companies". Tracxn. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  5. ^ "Givaudan SA, GIVN:SWX profile - FT.com". markets.ft.com.
  6. ^ Katchadourian, Raffi (2009). "The Taste Makers". The New Yorker. No. 23 November. pp. 86–99.
  7. ^ Büscher, Bram; Davidov, Veronica (15 August 2013). The Ecotourism-Extraction Nexus. Routledge. ISBN 9781135945268 – via google.ca.
  8. ^ "File Viewer | Givaudan". Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  9. ^ "2025 Integrated Report on economic and ESG performance" (PDF). Givaudan.com. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  10. ^ "Largest Swiss companies by market capitalization". CompaniesMarketCap.com. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  11. ^ "Summary report of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed held in Brussels on 25 November 2016" (PDF). European Commission. 25 November 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
  12. ^ Green, Elizabeth (3 January 2018). "European Flavour Association welcomes McCormick as new member". FoodIngredientsFirst. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
  13. ^ Kevin Smith (10 June 2026). "Givaudan still in pole position in a concentrated and ultra-defensive sector". MarketScreener. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  14. ^ Thom Votteler; Thomas Derdak, eds. (2001). International Directory of Company Histories. Vol. 43. St. James Press. p. 190. ISBN 9781558624610.
  15. ^ Swiss Industry & Trade. Vol. 34, 35. Swiss Office for the Development of Trade. 1955. p. 34.
  16. ^ Lelièvre, Marie-Dominique (2021). Chanel Nº 5. Biografia non autorizzata (in Italian). Baldini + Castoldi. ISBN 978-88-9388-397-9. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  17. ^ "2018 Leaderboard: Givaudan Reaffirms 2020 Goals". Perfumer & Flavorist. 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  18. ^ "Givaudan SA". Encyclopedia.com. Gale. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  19. ^ Wolfgang Legrum (2015). Riechstoffe, zwischen Gestank und Duft: Vorkommen, Eigenschaften und Anwendung von Riechstoffen und deren Gemischen. Springer-Verlag. p. 209. ISBN 9783658073107. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  20. ^ Leading Sensory Innovation. Vol. 104. Chemical Engineering Progress. 2008. p. 77. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  21. ^ Thom Votteler (2001). International Directory of Company Histories, Volume 43. St. James Press. p. 192. ISBN 9781558624610. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  22. ^ a b c d Chris Rowley; Jayantee Saha; David Ang (2011). Succeed or Sink: Business Sustainability Under Globalisation. Elsevier. p. 72. ISBN 9781780633312. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  23. ^ Bruno Ziglioli (2010). La mina vagante. Il disastro di Seveso e la solidarietà nazionale (in Italian). FrancoAngeli. p. 169. ISBN 9788856828672. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  24. ^ Groom, N. (30 June 1997). New Perfume Handbook. Springer. ISBN 9780751404036 – via google.ca.
  25. ^ Chadderdon, Lisa. "The Sweet Smell of Success: A building in Teaneck, New Jersey is the source of some of the world's most popular fragrances. Meet Givaudan Roure's perfumers, the 'ghostwriters' behind your favorite scents.", Fast Company (magazine), March 1998. Accessed 22 August 2007. "In fact, more than 30% of the world's fine perfumes for women can be traced to Givaudan Roure - and to an inconspicuous brick building set back from the street in suburban Teaneck, New Jersey. Inside the building, designed by Der Scutt and constructed in 1972, is an environment that fosters creativity."
  26. ^ Howard Prosnitz (26 November 2009). "Major Teaneck ratable remains vacant". North Jersey Record. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  27. ^ a b David Rowe (2009). Chemistry and Technology of Flavours and Fragrances. John Wiley & Sons. p. 4. ISBN 9781405148078. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  28. ^ "Nestlé drops Givaudan from balance sheet". Swiss Info. 6 December 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  29. ^ a b John Revill (6 December 2013). "Nestlé to Sell Its 10% Stake in Givaudan". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  30. ^ Jean-François Tremblay (10 November 2004). "Givaudan Smells Opportunity in China". Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  31. ^ a b "Givaudan Quest acquisition finalised". Food Navigator. 5 March 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  32. ^ Anthony Fletcher (22 February 2007). "EC approves Givaudan's acquisition of Quest". Food Navigator. Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  33. ^ Sam Cage (20 January 2007). "Givaudan buys Quest from ICI". Reuters. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  34. ^ John Revill (29 January 2015). "Givaudan Scents Tough Conditions Continuing in 2015". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  35. ^ "Givaudan buys France's Soliance in first acquisition since 2007". Reuters. 3 June 2014.
  36. ^ Sarah Hills (26 June 2014). "Givaudan breaks down flavour components for 'home-cooked' taste". FoodNavigator.com.
  37. ^ Lucy Whitehouse (12 June 2014). "Givaudan launches charitable foundation". CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com.
  38. ^ Deanna Utroske (20 January 2015). "Givaudan furthers patchouli collection network". CosmeticsDesign.com USA.
  39. ^ Askew, Katy (27 March 2018). "Givaudan bulks up in natural ingredients with Naturex acquisition". Food Navigator. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  40. ^ Reisch, Marc S. (4 May 2019). "Givaudan to buy spider polypeptides business". Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  41. ^ "Givaudan completes the acquisition of Albert Vieille". COSSMA. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  42. ^ Bolelli, Gianluca (28 August 2019). "Givaudan compra l'azienda britannica di profumi Fragrance Oils". Fashion Network (in Italian). Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  43. ^ "Givaudan to acquire Vietnamese flavour company Golden Frog". Nutraceutical Business Review. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  44. ^ Jacobs, Megan (8 December 2021). "Acquisition Complete: DDW Joins Givaudan - Givaudan Sense Colour". Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  45. ^ "Riechstoffkonzern - Givaudan, Bühler und Migros spannen bei pflanzlichem «Fleisch» zusammen". www.cash.ch (in German). 15 September 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  46. ^ Foo Yun Chee (7 March 2023). "EU, UK, Swiss probe suspected fragrance cartel, Givaudan confirms cooperation". www.reuters.com. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  47. ^ "Parfumerie : Givaudan s'allie à TMall – Alibaba". Journal du Luxe. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  48. ^ James Darley (1 May 2026). "Behind Pepsi, Givaudan & Smurfit WestRock's New 10-Year VPPA". Energy Digital. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  49. ^ Ramón Roca (30 April 2026). "El extraño PPA virtual de un parque eólico español en fase de repotenciación con PepsiCo, una empresa de embalaje y otra francesa de perfumes". El Periódico de la Energía (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  50. ^ Junaid Shah (29 April 2026). "PepsiCo Consortium Secures Spain Wind Power Through 10-Year VPPA". Saur Energy. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  51. ^ "Victims of toxic cloud over Seveso entitled to "moral damages," claims could reach tens of millions of euros". AP Worldstream. 24 February 2002. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2010 – via HighBeam Research.
  52. ^ "Louisville police setting up 'triage area' after Clifton residents report 'explosion'". WDRB. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.