International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), a global leader in scent, taste and bioscience, has announced a landmark partnership with Brazilian investment group Votorantim’s green economy division to unlock the potential of the Atlantic Forest’s biodiversity.
The deal, signed with Reservas Votorantim (rV), gives IFF and its natural ingredients subsidiary, LMR Naturals, exclusive access to the flora of Legado das Águas, Brazil’s largest private Atlantic Forest reserve. Covering 31,000 hectares in São Paulo state, the reserve is home to nearly 1,000 species of plants.
As part of the agreement, IFF will build a new research facility within rV’s existing site in the forest. The lab will bring together perfumers, flavorists, botanists and agronomists to study native species and develop extracts for use in perfumery and cosmetics.
Charbel Bouez, senior vice president of R&D for IFF Scent, said the collaboration represented an opportunity to draw inspiration directly from one of the world’s most unique ecosystems.
“Our partnership with Reservas Votorantim enables IFF to sustainably source fresh and inspiring ingredients from one of the planet’s most ecologically unique biomes,” he said.
The venture marks IFF’s first bioprospecting initiative in Brazil and reflects growing global demand for sustainable, renewable ingredients. The company plans to expand community outreach programmes alongside the research, offering training on conservation methods and supporting the cultivation of promising native plants.
For Reservas Votorantim, the deal highlights its broader vision of linking conservation with economic development. Since establishing Legado das Águas 13 years ago, the company has invested in scientific research and biodiversity protection. Its chief executive, David Canassa, said the forest’s genetic resources held enormous potential.
“Bioprospecting offers a range of solutions for society,” he said. “We believe this initiative will show how conservation can be an ally in creating innovation and opportunity.”
The initiative builds on rV’s “Multiple Land Use” strategy, which combines conservation, research and sustainable business ventures across its protected areas. The partnership positions the reserve as a global model for biodiversity-driven innovation, showcasing how ecological preservation can be linked with new market opportunities.
IFF is already a major player in Brazil’s fragrance and food ingredients markets. With rising consumer interest in “super” ingredients and products rooted in local biodiversity, the company sees the Atlantic Forest as a vital source of future growth.
The collaboration underscores Brazil’s position as a hub for the green economy, where environmental stewardship and business innovation increasingly overlap. For IFF, it reinforces a broader mission of promoting sustainable sourcing across its supply chain, from seed to bottle.
Both partners emphasise that the project is designed not only to create new products, but also to deepen appreciation of the Atlantic Forest, one of the world’s most threatened biomes. By combining international scientific expertise with local stewardship, they aim to ensure that biodiversity is preserved while driving forward new opportunities in fragrance and cosmetics.
