Symrise AG appoints Michael Friede as President of Scent & Care segment
This strategic leadership addition underscores Symrise’s commitment to strengthening its position in both the fragrance and personal care markets.
GERMANY – Symrise AG, a global leader in fragrances, flavours, and cosmetic ingredients, has announced the appointment of Michael Friede as a member of its Executive Board and President of the Scent & Care segment, effective immediately.
This strategic move strengthens the company’s leadership as it continues to drive innovation and growth in its key business areas.
He succeeds Dr. Jean-Yves Parisot, the company’s CEO, who has been overseeing the Scent & Care segment on an interim basis since Dr. Jörn Andreas stepped down from the role in September 2024.
Michael Friede brings extensive experience in the fragrance and personal care sectors, having held senior roles focused on innovation, market expansion, and operational excellence.
In his new role, Friede will be responsible for overseeing the development and growth of the Scent & Care division, which encompasses the creation, manufacturing, and marketing of fragrances for consumer products as well as active ingredients and formulations for skin and hair care.
Friede’s leadership is expected to accelerate innovation pipelines, strengthen customer relationships, and drive strategic initiatives that align with sustainability goals and market trends.
Michael König, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Symrise AG, stated, “We are very pleased to announce that Michael Friede will join us as a member of the Executive Board.”
“He brings many years of broad market knowledge and a high level of industry-specific expertise in various growth areas.”
“In addition, he has proven international experience, making him an excellent choice for Symrise as a fast-growing, globally operating company.”
Friede joins Symrise from Brenntag SE, where he served as CEO of Brenntag Specialities since 2023, leading the global Life Science and Material Science speciality chemicals segments.
His prior roles include leadership positions at Akzo Nobel N.V. in the Netherlands, Covestro AG in Germany and France, and Bayer AG in Leverkusen, Germany, and Pittsburgh, USA.
In addition, Friede serves as a Supervisory Board member of Pearl Polyurethane Systems LLC, a leading polyurethane systems producer based in Dubai.
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