Publications from Allchemix
From Flowers to Fossils : the Future of the F&F Palette
A. Frix, Perfumer & Flavorist, April 2026
The article analyzes the F&F industry’s increased reliance on petrochemical feedstocks, mainly driven by cost, despite growing sustainability claims. This dependence creates environmental, geopolitical, and socioeconomic risks while natural ingredients decline.
It argues current sustainability approaches lack common sense, overemphasizing carbon metrics that obscure broader impacts like water use, toxic waste, and social consequences. The author calls for more ethical, long-term decision-making grounded in transparency and industrial logic.
To support this, a clear sustainability dashboard is proposed, tracking fossil vs renewable inputs alongside carbon, water, hazardous waste, and ESG indicators such as rural livelihoods. Emphasis is placed on lifecycle assessment and Scope 3 emissions, where most impacts occur.
Overall, the industry must adopt auditable metrics, invest in biobased innovation, and shift toward high-impact, low-volume solutions to achieve meaningful and credible sustainability progress.
A Holistic Vision for a Sustainable Fragrance Industry
Plevova, K.; Antoniotti, St.; Frix, A.; Antoniotti, Sy., RSC Sustainability, 2026, 4, 21–27
Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0. Royal Society of Chemistry
The fragrance industry embraced sustainability early on through natural sourcing and green chemistry approaches, even before these concepts were formalised. Today, competition, regulations, and consumer expectations call for a sincere and substantial implementation of sustainability across every dimension of the fragrance business. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provide a global framework of thinking. Aligning with these goals and recommendations can drive innovation, enhance social impact, and promote transparency, responding to environmental challenges and evolving consumer values.
Conifer trees, Pine Chemicals, and the seeds of a new chemistry
A. Frix, IFEAT World #59 , March 2023
The pine chemical industry, derived from conifer processing, plays a crucial role in producing renewable materials used in various industries, including adhesives, perfumes, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals. ​ Coniferous forests, which are significant carbon reservoirs, provide biomass that feeds industries like sawmills, paper mills, and biofuel production, creating economic opportunities in rural areas. ​ However, the increasing demand for renewable products and biofuels is impacting biomass prices and allocations, raising concerns about sustainable resource use. ​ Despite challenges in processing complex molecules like lignin, the conifer biomass industry holds promise for developing natural-origin polymers and hybrid molecules, blending renewable and petrochemical resources. ​
F&F ingredients : a changing market
A. Frix
IFEAT World #56 , July 2022
Perfumery & Flavorist magazine, part 1 in April 2022 and part 2 in May 2022
Expression Cosmétique #72, November 2021
The flavors and fragrances industry carefully segments its products by ingredient origin, distinguishing natural extracts from synthetic ones, with a strong focus on petroleum-based compounds. This segmentation underscores the critical role of petrochemicals in providing consistent, versatile, and cost-effective raw materials. The article highlights how, despite the rise of natural alternatives, petroleum derivatives remain essential in meeting industry demands for performance and scalability.
The scent and taste of Carbon: F&F industry between growth and green
A. Frix, Expression Cosmétique #94, July 2025 (EN + FR)
The Fragrance & Flavour (F&F) industry, though small in GDP share, heavily relies on petrochemicals, especially in Asia, raising concerns over long-term sustainability due to limited fossil resources and high emissions. Shifts toward synthetic ingredients, driven by cost and regulatory pressures, are displacing natural raw materials and accelerating the relocation of production to Asia, where coal use dominates. While bio-based alternatives and high-impact "super-molecules" show promise, real sustainability will require bold innovation, investment in biomass technologies, and systemic industry change to reduce environmental impact and ensure long-term resilience.
Essential oils and forest extracts: the European Union's "Green Deal", or the endangerment of an age-old green industry
A. Frix
IFEAT World #63 , July 2024
Expression Cosmétique #85, January 2024
Perfumery & Flavorist e-magazine, June 2023
Overregulation of essential oils is accelerating their replacement by cheaper, synthetic petrochemical alternatives, despite EOs having a minimal environmental impact. This shift endangers biodiversity, traditional farming livelihoods, and the cultural heritage of natural ingredient production. The author calls for more nuanced, science-based regulation that distinguishes between natural and fossil-derived substances.
Other presentations are currently being revised
Allchemix presented at following events ...
SEPAWA, Berlin, 16 Oct 2025
