Fragrances have become an integral part of daily life, whether through the fresh scent of laundry products, the soothing scent of candles, or the clean and uplifting fragrance of air fresheners and cleaners. In the dynamic landscape of the fragrance industry, solvents play an essential role in the formulation process.

As consumer preferences evolve, environmental concerns gain more attention, and the dialogue around ingredient transparency intensifies, the fragrance market embraces new challenges and opportunities. The role of solvents in fragrance formulations is expanding beyond simple dilution to include factors like sustainability, safety, and performance enhancement. The need for low-odor, biodegradable, and high-performance solvents that comply with upcoming regulations is driving innovation in the industry.

The art of perfumery and fragrance creation extends beyond captivating scents; it involves a complex interplay of chemical compounds in which solvents serve several key roles, such as solubilizing fragrances, stabilizing formulas, ensuring a uniform texture and appearance, controlling evaporation rates, enabling a consistent scent release over time and a long-lasting performance of air fresheners and scented products, and warranting sustainable claims for the final products.

The air care industry is shifting toward consumer preferences, environmental concerns, and regulatory demands. Recent studies reveal that nearly 70% of consumers actively check labels for potential allergens and harmful substances. Consequently, there is a growing demand for natural, organic, and sustainable ingredients, including alternative solvents derived from plant sources. Nowadays, consumers are interested in the fragrance profile and the integrity of the ingredients that create them.

The regulatory framework surrounding the use of solvents is continually evolving. Stricter regulations from organizations like the European Union REACH and the United States EPA impose guidelines that impact solvent selection in formulations. Governments are tightening regulations around using VOCs, particularly in consumer products that contribute to indoor air quality, pushing companies to innovate with alternative solvents that meet safety and performance standards. Additionally, safety assessments and consumer advocacy for non-toxic ingredients are reshaping the conversation around solvent use.

Innovation in solvent technology, especially the development of bio-based and green solvents, is paving the way for more sustainable formulation practices. These advancements address consumer concerns regarding health and safety and support brands seeking to enhance their sustainability initiatives.

As trends in the fragrance market continue to shift toward sustainability, safety, and performance, manufacturers are increasingly turning to more eco- friendly and innovative solutions. While often overlooked, solvents are decisive elements that directly impact product safety, sensory experiences, and brand perception. Thus, brands can thrive in a competitive market by aligning product development with consumer preferences for transparency and sustainability.

Considering all these challenges and focusing on bringing solutions aligned with customer needs, Solvay presents Augeo ® Clean Multi – a low-odor, non-toxic, bio-based, readily biodegradable LVP-VOC solvent. Augeo ® Clean Multi meets all the safety and sustainability requirements with a low carbon footprint of 1.6 kgCO2e/kg net footprint (2.6 kgCO2e/kg as GWP and 1.0 kgCO2e/kg as biogenic content). Augeo ® Clean Multi acts as a great fragrance carrier and solubilizer, delivering high performance and competitiveness to replace traditional petrochemical-based solvents.