IFF: LMR Naturals deepens its roots in Grasse... and in Brazil, through a bioprospecting partnership

On 8 September, the American house inaugurated the extension of its subsidiary dedicated to naturals in Grasse. More than €10 million has been invested to support the growth of traceable and eco-friendly ingredients. The 4,687 m² facility, which is 75% larger than the previous site, will bring together 30 R&D experts, an ultra-modern pilot room, and an experimental field. The American company aims for four to six launches per year. 

LMR Naturals by IFF is opening its first forest laboratory in Brazil, thereby gaining exclusive access to over 1,000 species to enrich its catalogue. The company has signed a bioprospecting partnership with Reservas Votorantim, the "green economy" division of the Brazilian investment group Votorantim SA. This agreement gives LMR Naturals' agronomists access to the unique biome of the largest private Atlantic Forest reserve, covering an area of 31,000 hectares. A sustainable sourcing opportunity that enables it to meet the growing interest in Brazilian "super-ingredients". As part of this initiative, the American company will develop community engagement programmes to promote the cultivation of endemic plants.