Timeline 1768-2025

From our historic roots in Grasse to the present day, Givaudan’s over 250-year journey has been marked by milestones in invention and acquisition, creativity, passion and innovation. 

 

2025
2023
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2007
2003
2002
2000
1999
1997
1996
1995
1991
1963
1949-1955
1948
1947
1946
1937
1900-1950
1910s
1910
1900
1895
1862
1820
1796
1768
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Logo of Vollmens Fragrances

Givaudan acquires a majority stake of Vollmens Fragrances in 2025.

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Logo of Amyris

Amyris joins Givaudan in 2023.

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Timeline 2021

In 2021, Custom Essence, Myrissi, DDW The Color House and 25% of b.kolor make up & skin care join Givaudan.

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Alderys

Alderys joins Givaudan in 2020.

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Seven companies join Givaudan: the cosmetics business of AMSilk, Albert Vieille, Fragrance Oils, Golden Frog, the cosmetics business of Indena, drom fragrances and Ungerer.

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Naturex, Centroflora Nutra, Expressions Parfumées

Naturex joins Givaudan together with Centroflora Nutra and Expressions Parfumées.

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2007 - Vika and Activ International join Givaudan

Activ International and Vika join Givaudan.

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Spicetec joins Givaudan.

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Induchem

Acquisition of Induchem.

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In 2014 Soliance joins Givaudan

Soliance joins Givaudan.

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In 2007 Quest International joins Givaudan

Acquisition of Quest International, enabling Givaudan to become the undisputed leader in flavours and fragrances.

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Grating cheese

Acquisition of International Bioflavors Inc. (IBF), a US fermentation technology company.

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FIS

 

Jordi Roca

Acquisition of FIS, the flavour
division of Nestlé.

The ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants List’ is launched, later to include celebrated chefs from Givaudan’s Chef’s Council.

 
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Swiss stock exchange

Givaudan-Roure splits from Hoffmann-LaRoche and changes its name to Givaudan SA, which is listed on the Six Swiss Exchange.

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Givaudan's TasteTrek®

Givaudan launches TasteTrek® to explore a world of flavours.

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Tastemaker

Acquisition of US flavours company Tastemaker, making Givaudan-Roure the world’s largest flavours organisation.

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ScentTrek

Givaudan-Roure wins first Fragrance Foundations FiFi® Technological Breakthrough Award with ScentTrek®.

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Givaudan invests in Asia and expands in high growth markets.

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Givaudan Roure

Givaudan and Roure merge under Hoffmann-LaRoche.

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Xavier Givaudan, aged 97, sells the business to Hoffmann-LaRoche.

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Brazil

Givaudan expands to Latin America.

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Esrolko SA

Givaudan enters the flavours business with the acquisition of Esrolko SA.

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The Essential Oils

Ernest Guenther, a chemist at Fritzsche, Dodge & Olcott publishes The Essential Oils, still a standard of trade today.

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Jean Carles

Establishes an olfactory apprenticeship, later leading to our world-renowned Perfumery School.

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Shocking

‘Shocking’ is one of the first designer fragrances created by perfumers from Roure-Bertrand.

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Drying laundry outdoors

Givaudan and others pioneer synthetic fragrance ingredients and promotes use of fragrances in consumer products.

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First use of chemical transformation to obtain flavours.

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Powder flavours

Fries & Fries develop a method for flavours in powder form.

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Roure’s work with ‘absolutes’ to extract floral essences wins the Grand Prize at the Universal Exhibition of Paris.

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Léon and Xavier Givaudan

Léon and Xavier Givaudan embark on a rich journey with the founding of Givaudan in Zürich, Switzerland.

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Kurt Oestreich and Westfälische Essenzenfabrik are founded and herald the birth of the flavours industry.

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Claude Roure

Claude Roure establishes Roure-Bertrand & Fils providing aromatic plants and essential oils such as jasmine and rose.

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Dodge & Olcott began importing and selling essential oils as cookery gets more elaborate.

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Antoine Chiris enters the world of fragrances by harvesting flora and fauna.

  

Discover fascinating moments from our ongoing odyssey to enrich the world of scents and taste.

Explore our 250-year odyssey  Read more about our acquisitions