Fragrance producer Givaudan invests CHF20 million to upgrade Grasse facility

Swiss group Givaudan, the world's number one fragrance and aroma manufacturer, announced on Tuesday it has invested CHF20 million (€17.6 million) on its production site in Grasse, Provence, which Givaudan took over in June after it acquired French company Expressions Parfumées.

In a press release, Givaudan stated that the investment is designed to enlarge and modernise the research laboratories and the manufacturing equipment, by introducing new robotic and digital machinery. The renovation work is expected to end in the first half of 2020.

Givaudan is keen to strengthen its output capacity in Grasse, to bolster the growth of Expressions Parfumées.

"One quarter after the acquisition was completed, Expressions Parfumées is already generating highly promising results,” said Maurizio Volpi, president of Givaudan’s fragrance division, cited in the press release.

Expressions Parfumées was founded in 1982 and is specialised in natural perfumery formulas. One of its strengths is the range of fragrances designed to complement all kinds of biological products.

Givaudan designs and produces fragrances for leading perfumery names like Dior, Paco Rabanne and Prada. This year, the group strengthened its position in France after acquiring Expressions Parfumées in the summer and Naturex in September.

The second acquisition, which came at the end of a two-stage take-over bid, enabled the group to add to its range of plant extracts and natural ingredients, utilised in the food and beverage sector as well as in health, nutrition and cosmetics products.

Givaudan is based in Vernier, in the metropolitan area of Geneva, and it produces fragrances for fine perfumery as well as scents for household and personal care products, and aromas for food and drinks.