IFF and BASF Launch Strategic Collaboration to Advance Next-Generation Enzyme and Polymer Technologies
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF), a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, health, and biosciences, has announced a strategic collaboration with BASF, one of the world’s largest chemical companies and a recognized leader in sustainable product innovation. The partnership aims to accelerate the development of IFF’s Designed Enzymatic Biomaterials™ technology platform and drive the creation of next-generation enzyme technologies for a wide range of applications, including fabric care, dishwashing, personal care, and industrial cleaning.
This collaboration represents a meeting of two industry powerhouses with a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and high-performance solutions. By combining IFF’s advanced expertise in biotechnology, protein engineering, and enzymatic biomaterials with BASF’s extensive chemical and materials science capabilities, the partnership is uniquely positioned to deliver groundbreaking solutions at scale. The alliance is expected to enhance cleaning performance, improve personal care formulations, reduce environmental impact, and support the broader transition toward a more sustainable future.
A Vision for High-Performance, Sustainable Solutions
Both IFF and BASF bring complementary strengths to the collaboration. IFF’s Designed Enzymatic Biomaterials™ platform represents a cutting-edge approach to enzyme design, enabling the company to tailor biomaterials to meet the performance and sustainability needs of diverse industries. BASF, meanwhile, has a long history of pioneering sustainable chemical solutions and leveraging advanced research and development to create large-scale, commercially viable innovations. Together, the two companies aim to accelerate the development of enzyme systems and biobased polymers that can deliver exceptional performance while reducing environmental and resource impacts.
“The collaboration with BASF provides a unique opportunity to unlock new potential in enzyme and polymer technologies,” said Erik Fyrwald, CEO of IFF. “By working together, we can develop market-driven solutions that create sustainable value not only for our customers but for the environment as well. This partnership allows us to combine our respective strengths and bring forward technologies that will define the next generation of high-performance, eco-conscious solutions.”
Michael Heinz, member of the Board of Executive Directors at BASF, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the strategic importance of the partnership. “This collaboration marks a significant milestone for both companies,” he said. “By combining our research and development expertise, we are establishing a strong foundation to accelerate the delivery of innovative solutions to our customers. Our joint efforts will help bring large-scale, high-performance products to market more efficiently while addressing the increasing demand for sustainability across multiple sectors.”
Focus Areas and Applications
The partnership will focus on several key areas of innovation, including enzyme systems optimized for fabric care, dishwashing, personal care, and industrial cleaning. By harnessing IFF’s expertise in protein engineering and enzymatic design, the collaboration will enable the creation of tailor-made enzyme solutions that meet specific performance requirements. This could include enzymes that improve cleaning efficacy, enhance stability under extreme conditions, or enable the formulation of more sustainable products that use fewer chemical additives.
In parallel, BASF’s capabilities in chemical synthesis and polymer development will support the creation of biobased polymers that complement enzymatic systems. These polymers are expected to enhance product performance, improve formulation stability, and contribute to sustainability goals by reducing dependence on fossil-based raw materials. Together, the combined expertise of IFF and BASF will allow customers to achieve superior product performance while simultaneously minimizing environmental impact and resource consumption.
Driving Sustainable Innovation at Scale
A defining feature of this collaboration is its commitment to delivering solutions at scale. Both companies will maintain independent operations and competitive positioning, ensuring that they can continue to innovate within their respective markets. At the same time, the partnership will leverage complementary strengths to accelerate the commercialization of advanced technologies, providing customers with expanded choices and enabling faster adoption of sustainable, high-performance products.
The collaboration also underscores the growing importance of sustainability in the chemical and biosciences industries. Consumers and regulators increasingly demand products that perform effectively while minimizing environmental impact. By combining their respective capabilities, IFF and BASF are well-positioned to meet these evolving expectations and create solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future.
Looking Ahead
As the partnership progresses, both companies plan to focus on ongoing research and development, as well as the translation of scientific breakthroughs into commercially viable products. The collaboration is expected to generate new opportunities across multiple industries, including household and industrial cleaning, personal care, and specialty materials. By leveraging cutting-edge biotechnology and chemical innovation, IFF and BASF aim to set new standards for performance, sustainability, and product design.
“The joint effort with BASF allows us to explore the full potential of our Designed Enzymatic Biomaterials™ technology,” said Fyrwald. “We are committed to developing solutions that not only meet current market demands but also anticipate the needs of tomorrow’s consumers. Together, we can create products that deliver superior results, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to the circular economy.”
Heinz added, “Innovation at scale is essential to addressing today’s global challenges. Through this collaboration, we can accelerate the development and deployment of breakthrough enzyme and polymer technologies that help our customers achieve more sustainable, high-performance solutions. This partnership represents a significant step forward in our shared commitment to sustainability and innovation.”
Conclusion
The strategic collaboration between IFF and BASF exemplifies the power of combining complementary expertise in biotechnology, chemistry, and materials science. By focusing on next-generation enzyme technologies and biobased polymers, the partnership aims to deliver high-performance, sustainable solutions across a wide range of applications. Customers can expect enhanced product performance, improved formulation flexibility, and reduced environmental impact as a result of this collaboration.
Both IFF and BASF remain independently operated and competitively positioned while working together to advance innovation and expand customer choices worldwide. As industries increasingly prioritize sustainability and performance, the partnership represents a forward-looking approach that aligns with both market demands and environmental responsibility.
Cautionary Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. These statements relate to future events or performance and often include words such as “plan,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “will,” “may,” and similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially due to risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made only as of the date hereof, and IFF undertakes no obligation to update them except as required by law.
