Coty to launch first fragrances made using carbon-captured ethanol

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Feb 2, 2022

American cosmetics giant Coty Inc. said on Tuesday that it has started production of the world’s first globally distributed fragrances made using carbon-captured ethanol and is expected to reach stores in the coming months. 

The move is a part of the company’s goal to integrate sustainable ethanol into a majority of its fragrance portfolio by 2023.

To get there, Coty is making these fragrances using CarbonSmart ethanol produced by LanzaTech, as part of a partnership, first announced in March. 

Ethanol is a key ingredient in the production of fragrances and is Coty’s top fragrance ingredient by volume. By transforming carbon into a new source of ethanol, Coty and LanzaTech aim to reduce the beauty industry’s environmental impact.

Production began at the company’s manufacturing facility in Granollers, Spain in mid-January, ahead of schedule. 

“Coty’s accelerated release of fragrances made using carbon-captured ethanol represents the groundbreaking sustainability progress that I joined Coty to lead,” said chief scientific officer Dr. Shimei Fan, who joined the company in January 2022.

“This exciting step forward in Coty’s sustainability journey demonstrates our ability to meet and exceed the ambitious clean and green roadmaps we have set for the future.”

The high-purity sustainable ethanol that is suitable for use in fragrances was developed over the course of two years. The ethanol meets the company’s strict specifications for use in perfumery and is in line with other high quality ethanols found in the market.

“LanzaTech is proud to have made our first delivery of carbon-captured ethanol to Coty ahead of schedule,” added Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, chief executive officer of LanzaTech. 

“After two years of working side by side with Coty scientists to develop a high-purity ethanol suitable for use in fine fragrances, we are excited to see Coty bring the first globally distributed fragrances made from CarbonSmart ethanol to market, so consumers can choose products made from recycled carbon.”