Coty leads charge on sustainable fragrance production

Coty is seeking to “significantly reduce” the environmental impact of its fragrance products with the introduction of a new ultra-sustainable form of ethanol made from captured-carbon emissions.

The Gucci Guilty and Burberry Her manufacturer has signed a letter of intent to partner with LanzaTech on the introduction of a new form of high-purity sustainable ethanol - which is made from the captured industrial emissions (such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide) of steel manufacturing.

The proposed partnership means that Coty will incorporate this carbon-captured ethanol into its fragrance manufacturing process, with the goal of having the majority of its fragrance portfolio using ethanol sourced from carbon-capture by 2023.

Coty chief executive officer Sue Y. Nabi said: “Sustainability is the ultimate driver of innovation and Coty is focused on creating outstanding products that are truly clean and green.

“Ethanol is the number one ingredient purchased for the fragrance category and over time this partnership with LanzaTech will significantly reduce the environmental impact of our products.

“It’s not only the right thing to do, but it makes commercial sense too – with today’s consumer rightly demanding that their favourite brands share their commitment to sustainability.”

Ethanol is a core ingredient in fragrance products, enabling the efficient dispersion of the scent.

Coty fragrances currently contain ethanol sourced from a range of natural raw materials - including sugar cane and sugar beet, which use land, water and fertilizers.

The new sustainable ethanol from carbon-capture utilizes near-zero water consumption and reduces the requirement for agricultural land which, in turn, supports biodiversity.

Coty’s ‘Beauty That Lasts’ strategy - which is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - sets out a range of time-bound targets, including a 30% reduction in absolute CO2e emissions by 2030.