Industry Odisha Bureau, Jul 21: Peninsular India’s Kerala-based Synthite Industries has reportedly carved a niche globally for being a $500 million worth supplier of natural ingredients for the luxury perfumes marketed worldwide.
While the Keralite company is reportedly situated in a “nondescript town named Kolenchery, 25 km away from Kochi, it works in close coordination with contract farmers to cultivate the precious grass named ‘Vetiver’, harvest its roots and then extract the fragrant oil before it is exported.”
Notably, “Vetiver is a perennial grass (botanical nomenclature: Chrysopogon zizanioides) known for its aromatic roots, medicinal properties, and environmental benefits. Vetiver is a tall, tufted perennial grass native to India and tropical Asia, growing in dense clumps with long, narrow, rigid leaves and small brown-purple flowers in spikes. Its roots are highly aromatic and can grow downward more than 3 meters (10 feet), making the plant extremely drought-resistant and effective for soil stabilization. The plant can reach heights of 1.5 meters (5 feet) under favourable conditions.”
While Vetiver “roots have been used in Ayurveda and traditional medicine for centuries, Vetiver oil, distilled from the roots, is commonly used in aromatherapy for relaxation and emotional balance.”
Media reports said that, “Synthite exports the fragrant oil distilled from the roots of Vetiver grass to Switzerland where the world-famous luxury perfume christened as ‘Vetiver des Sables India Orpur’ is churned out in the Swiss giant Givaudan’s laboratories.”
Reportedly founded in 1972, media reports claimed that, “Synthite is world’s largest producer of spice oleoresins, controlling approximately 30% of the global market.”
Media reports also claimed that, “Some of the world’s largest flavour, fragrance and food ingredient companies are Synthite‘s esteemed clients. Besides Swiss giants Givaudan and dsm-firmenich, Ireland’s Kerry Group, New York-listed International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) as well as food and consumer goods companies such as Tata Consumer Products, ITC Ltd, Hindustan Unilever Ltd, and PepsiCo are also Synthite’s worthy clients.”
Media reports further claimed that, “Synthite also formulates the seasonings that enhance popular junk food item Kurkure’s distinctive taste, and also for the cute masala sachet found inside every packet of Yippee noodles as well as ready-to-cook kitchen spices.”
