IFF (NYSE: IFF), a global innovator in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, and biosciences, has inaugurated a pioneering green hydrogen production facility at its Scent R&D and fragrance ingredient manufacturing plant in Benicarló, Spain. Developed in collaboration with Iberdrola, one of the world’s largest renewable energy producers, the project marks a first in the fragrance industry — utilizing renewable electricity to power hydrogenation reactions essential for producing key fragrance molecules.
The new system can generate up to 100 tons of clean hydrogen annually using renewable energy sources. Designed with an integrated hydrogen compressor for on-site storage, the facility significantly reduces the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) impact of IFF’s products, supporting global customers in achieving their decarbonization and sustainability objectives.
“The new hydrogen facility in Benicarló represents a decisive move away from conventional ‘gray hydrogen’ production methods that rely on fossil fuels,” said Jaime Gomezflores, Senior Vice President of Global Operations Manufacturing for IFF Scent. “This step lays the foundation for broader adoption of clean energy technologies across our operations, helping to reduce emissions and drive sustainable manufacturing.”
Located in a region well-suited for renewable energy generation, the Benicarló plant benefits from Spain’s abundant solar resources and industrial ecosystem. The solar-powered hydrogen system enables the creation of more than 50 key fragrance ingredients — including well-known molecules such as Cashmeran and Kharismal — through eco-friendly hydrogenation processes.
By switching to green hydrogen, IFF will cut approximately 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The initiative supports the company’s global sustainability targets of reducing scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% and scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2030, with a long-term vision of achieving net-zero operational emissions by 2040. The Benicarló project forms part of a decade-long renewable hydrogen energy agreement with Iberdrola and serves as a model for integrating clean energy solutions across IFF’s global manufacturing network.
This milestone complements IFF’s broader sustainability agenda, which includes recent initiatives such as ENVIROCAP™, a biodegradable scent delivery system for fabric care, and a partnership with Reservas Votorantim for sustainable bioprospecting in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. IFF continues to push boundaries in sustainable innovation — blending science, creativity, and purpose to develop responsible solutions that elevate products, delight the senses, and contribute to a healthier planet.
