Fragrance producer Givaudan opens Digital Factory project accelerator in Paris

By

Sarah Ahssen

Translated by
Nicola Mira

Published
Feb 8, 2019

Swiss fragrance and aroma producer Givaudan has boosted its innovation capabilities by opening the Digital Factory project accelerator in Paris, next door to start-up campus Station F.

“In the last few years, we have been able to tap the potential afforded by AI, big data and emerging technology. The launch of our Digital Factory will help us to accelerate these digital opportunities and further expand into new markets,” said Gilles Andrier, CEO of Givaudan.

Working in an innovation-friendly environment, Givaudan’s Digital Factory brings together the group’s experts, partners and clients, and is designed to strengthen the creative capabilities of the Swiss group's flavourists and perfumers, while accelerating the group’s digital transformation.

However, this isn’t Givaudan’s first foray into digital technology. Last September for example, the group presented Eve, an app designed to quickly identify the ideal match between a product brief received from a client and the assets of Givaudan Active Beauty, the group's division which develops active ingredients for the cosmetics industry.

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In 2018, Givaudan generated a revenue of CHF5.5 billion, up 5.6%, and it isn’t the only fragrance industry player entering the new digital age.

Last year, its competitor Firmenich announced the creation of the D-Lab, a digital laboratory set up in partnership with Lausanne’s Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale research institute (EPFL), which utilises AI to develop new fragrances.