dsm-firmenich launches fine fragrance hub in Riyadh

SAUDI ARABIA – dsm-firmenich and Villa Po ONE have partnered to launch Po ONE Lab, a cutting-edge creative hub in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aimed at revolutionizing perfumery in the Middle East by blending cultural heritage with modern innovation.​

This collaboration introduces Po ONE Lab as an exclusive space for inspiration, experimentation, and fragrance storytelling, serving brands, creators, and enthusiasts with immersive access to ingredients, tools, and narratives driving today’s scent design.

The initiative underscores DSM-Firmenich’s strategy to nurture emerging fragrance talents while honouring the Middle East’s rich olfactory traditions and cultural legacy.​

Olivier Viejo, VP for Fine Fragrance in IMAT (India, Middle East, Africa, Turkey), described the lab as a pivotal investment in Saudi Arabia, merging regional creativity, cultural expression, and forward-thinking design. 

Saeed Al-Kayar, Creative Director and Co-Founder of Villa Po ONE, noted that the permanent Riyadh venue elevates client experiences by sharing expertise in luxury fragrances through this dsm-firmenich alliance.

To celebrate the launch, dsm-firmenich released a limited series of seven scents, each drawing from iconic Saudi landscapes and moods, crafted by perfumers Honorine Blanc, Hamid Merati Kashani, Carmita Magalhaes, and Abdulkader Fattouh. 

These compositions weave Middle Eastern cultural elements into contemporary perfumery, emphasizing scent’s role in cultural narrative.

The February 2026 opening features a VIP inauguration with guided tours and sensory fragrance encounters for guests, partners, and media, followed by a public exhibition open to all for exploring the lab’s innovative environment.

This multi-day activation transforms the space into an emotional journey where scents evoke memories and fuel creative expression.

Po ONE Lab cements Riyadh’s emergence as a global center for luxury perfumery, with DSM-Firmenich committing to regional innovation and cross-cultural exchange in scents. 

Recently, dsm-firmenich and ASTech, a Korean company UV filter ingredients for sun protection, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) along with an investment closing for strategic business cooperation in UV filter ingredients.

This collaboration focuses on securing a reliable supply chain, innovating new sun care ingredients, and boosting joint marketing to capture larger shares in the evolving global sunscreen sector.

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