Symrise's (Symrise Dezhixin's) first-half 2025 financial performance: trading profit for growth

Achieved organic sales growth of 3.3%, but after factoring in portfolio changes and foreign exchange impacts, segment revenue stood at €1.564 billion, down 0.5% year-on-year (€1.572 billion in H1 2024). This decline was primarily attributable to a €10 million negative impact on sales stemming from the divestiture of the Beverage Trading business within the Food & Beverage division in 2024. Within this segment, the Food & Beverage business performed well, delivering mid-single-digit growth: beverage-related business achieved double-digit organic growth; natural products posted single-digit growth; and flavor products saw increased sales across all regions. The Pet Food division recorded flat organic sales despite continued consumer caution in key markets. Additionally, the segment’s EBITDA amounted to €364 million, up 4.7% year-on-year, with an EBITDA margin of 23.3%—an improvement of 120 basis points year-on-year—driven mainly by improved input costs and enhanced operational efficiency. 2. Fragrance & Care Organic sales grew by 2.9%. After adjusting for portfolio and currency effects, segment revenue totaled €989 million, down 0.4% year-on-year (€993 million in H1 2024). Specifically, the Perfumery division delivered strong organic growth across all application areas: Fine Fragrances achieved double-digit growth; Consumer Fragrances registered solid single-digit growth; and Oral Care solutions also posted single-digit organic growth. The Aroma Molecules division achieved single-digit organic growth, fueled by robust demand in the U.S., India, and Mexico. The Cosmetic Ingredients division experienced a sales decline, largely due to a high base effect from last year’s sunscreen filter sales. Segment EBITDA reached €190 million—an increase of €8 million year-on-year—with an EBITDA margin of 19.2%, up 90 basis points year-on-year. Regional Market Performance: 1. Latin America €341 million (13.3% of total): Strong demand for affordable fragrances and food flavorings in markets such as Brazil and Mexico. 2. Asia-Pacific €629 million (24.6% of total): Robust demand for fragrances, oral care products, and natural food ingredients in China and India. Although sunscreen filter sales were affected by a high base, functional cosmetic ingredients (e.g., plant extracts) performed well in Japan and South Korea. 3. EAME (Europe, Africa, and Middle East) €1.048 billion (41.0% of total): As the largest market, it accounts for over 40% of total revenue; however, the financial report does not explicitly disclose its growth rate. Given the Group’s overall organic growth of 3.1% and the backdrop of sluggish European economic conditions, its growth is likely below the Group average. 4. North America €536 million (21.0% of total): Economic uncertainty dampened consumer spending on fragrance and pet food products; tariff policies (e.g., additional tariffs on Chinese raw materials) increased input costs.

Global raw material giant #3—Symrise (Symrise Dezhixin): A century-long legacy of fragrance excellence

In 2003, Haarmann & Reimer (founded in 1874) merged with Dragoco (acquired in 1919), forming Symrise Group—establishing itself as one of the world’s largest flavor & fragrance and nutrition companies. Following its listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 2006, Symrise acquired Diana, Piova, ADF, and others, expanding into perfumery, flavor formulation, and multiple other domains—thereby building a diversified business structure. In 2005, Symrise integrated French-Malagasy, strengthening its natural vanillin business and completing its vanillin value chain; In 2013, Symrise acquired U.S.-based flavor producer Belmay, extending its footprint into personal care and air care niches; In 2014, Symrise acquired Diana—a specialist in natural functional foods, pet food, and palatability enhancers—marking its entry into the pet food industry; In 2016, Symrise completed the acquisition of U.S.-based Rennesenz, further diversifying its aroma molecules business. This series of strategic acquisitions enabled Symrise to enter numerous niche markets and geographies, cementing its position as a global leader in the flavor & fragrance industry. Today, Symrise operates two major divisions: “Flavor, Nutrition & Health” and “Fragrance & Care.” The Flavor, Nutrition & Health division encompasses four business segments: Food & Beverage, Pet Food, Aquafeed, and Probiotics; the Fragrance & Care division comprises three segments: Fragrance, Cosmetic Ingredients, and Aroma Molecules. In 2023, Symrise achieved sales of €4.73 billion, up 2.4% year-on-year; organic sales rose 7.9%; adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) totaled €903.5 million, with an EBITDA margin of 19.1% (20.0% in 2022). By division: In 2023, Symrise’s Flavor, Nutrition & Health division generated €2.978 billion in revenue, with adjusted EBITDA of €626.8 million—slightly below €630.5 million in 2022. In 2023, Symrise’s Fragrance & Care division achieved €1.752 billion in revenue, with organic growth of 5.6% year-on-year; adjusted EBITDA stood at €277 million—down 4.9% from €291 million in 2022—primarily due to rising raw material prices and higher operating costs. My first encounter with Symrise was through its preservative alternative SymSave H (INCI: Hydroxyacetophenone), which offers antioxidant, anti-irritant, emulsion-stabilizing, preservative-enhancing, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties—and maintains excellent stability across both high and low pH levels and temperatures.

Symrise flags slower Q4 growth, spending pressure on margins

Oct 28, 2026

German flavor and fragrance maker Symrise forecast slower fourth-quarter growth with organic growth near 3% and adjusted core profit margins in the lower half of guidance due to reinvestment spending.

reuters

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Symrise flags slower Q4 growth, spending pressure on margins

Symrise flags slower Q4 growth, spending pressure on margins

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