IFF boosts India presence with new fragrance hub in Mumbai

INDIA – IFF has announced plans to open a new scent creative centre in Mumbai, India, which is expected to be fully operational by the first half of 2026. 

The facility, situated in the Powai neighbourhood, will significantly increase IFF’s local presence by more than doubling its footprint to 3,650 square meters.

This modern, technology-enabled site will accommodate over 100 employees and feature advanced laboratories, category-spanning evaluation booths, and a state-of-the-art sensory evaluation space.

This expansion aims to enhance IFF’s ability to collaborate closely with customers in India by blending global expertise with deep local consumer insights to develop leading fragrance innovations. 

Ana Paula Teles de Mendonça, president of IFF Scent, stated, “The Mumbai Creative Centre exemplifies IFF’s commitment to innovation and excellence in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.” 

“By expanding our footprint in India, we are not only bringing IFF’s world-class fragrance capabilities closer to local consumers, we are also accelerating our ability to co-create superior solutions, serve our customers with greater agility, while also empowering the exceptional talent that drives our creativity and leadership.” 

Positioned at the forefront of India’s dynamic fragrance market, IFF intends to accelerate speed-to-market and co-create successful fragrance solutions that resonate with the rising aspirations and growing demand for premium, personalized scents in the region.

Ramon Brentan, vice president and regional general manager of IFF Scent for Greater Asia, emphasized that the centre will be a place where creativity meets science, crafting fragrances that inspire confidence and joy while building lasting consumer connections.

This investment reflects IFF’s continued strategic focus on expanding its geographic footprint and advancing fragrance innovation locally in India’s flourishing scent market, which is driven by consumers’ desire for individuality and emotionally expressive fragrances.

This move comes after IFF recently officially unveiled the expanded LMR Naturals facility in Grasse, reflecting a €10 million (USD 11.76 million) investment that increases the site’s total area by 75% to 4,687 square meters. 

This expansion features a cutting-edge pilot hall designed to accelerate the development of new natural ingredients. 

Adjacent to the facility, a new experimental field grants direct access to plant materials, enabling more intensive botanical research and accelerating innovation in natural ingredients.

With the expansion, more than 30 research and development experts now collaborate under one roof, strengthening IFF’s ability to satisfy the growing global demand for natural ingredients that are traceable, sustainable, and of superior quality. 

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