The IFF Green Chemistry Assessment Tool

Abstract Flavors and fragrances are important because they are known to drive consumer choice and satisfaction, and help improve human health. In conjunction with a dramatic company‐wide acceleration in a commitment to sustainability, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., now has a very strong focus on green chemistry. As a part of this effort, IFF has developed and implemented a unique and customized IFF Green Chemistry Assessment Tool tailored to meet the needs of IFF 's flavor, fragrance, and encapsulated products. Based on the ubiquitous and well‐known Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry, the tool involves the application of IFF 's own standardized scoring system for each of the 12 principles. All scientific personnel globally have been trained to ensure that the scoring methodology is uniformly applied. Annual refresher training with various example applications and success stories further promotes the use of the tool. An example application to improve a fragrance product is provided as an illustration on how the tool is employed to drive the principles of green chemistry such as novel catalyst versus stoichiometric raw material, significant reduction of waste, more efficient use of resources, use of a renewable resource, greater energy efficiency and improved worker safety, along with the associated economic benefits. The assessment tool thus helps to improve the culture of “green thinking,” while at the same time allowing for a systematic and structured approach toward more sustainable products and processes at IFF .