Founded in Grasse, the historic cradle of French perfumery, Parfex takes advantage of this privileged location to offer its customers a complete range of tailor-made compositions based on a large offering of perfumery ingredients, including a highly diversified palette of natural substances. The company’s production site is 90% automated, thanks to three weighing robots that can process both small and large batches. To better serve its customers around the world, Parfex also benefits from synergies with the international networks of Croda, its mother company since 2021, and Iberchem, the other composition house in the group’s Fragrances & Flavors division. Parfex achieved a turnover of 32.6 million euros in 2023 and employs 110 staffs, including 6 perfumers.
“One of our strengths is to combine the responsiveness and agility of a medium-sized company with the presence global presence and the synergies of a large international group. We especially boast our very rapid response time to customer briefs, and an ordering and delivery process within reduced deadlines,” Juana Birkenkamp, communications manager of the company told Premium Beauty News.
Strategic embrace of innovation
Thanks to a team of sensory analysts and marketing specialists, the company regularly introduces new collections inspired from proactive surveys of lifestyles and consumer preferences. At the next in-cosmetics Global, from April 16 to 18 in Paris, Parfex will highlight a collection of perfumes dedicated to personal care. Dubbed “e-motions”, the range features eight different formulations, incorporating Croda active ingredients and based on Iberchem’s Wavemotion® technology, an innovative scientific approach which makes it possible to identify and evaluate the emotional benefits linked to scents.
“The e-motions collection will offer a unique sensory experience, combining high-quality fragrances with personalized care formulations,” highlighted the manager.
Future-oriented investments
Investment in new infrastructure, Parfex plans to triple the surface area of its creation centre, which will increase from 1050 to 2700 square metres. “The new centre for personal care excellence will also be a hub open to our colleagues at Croda Beauty, and will allow us to welcome our customers for presentations on trends and innovations,” continued Juana Birkenkamp.
Scheduled for September 2024, the opening of the new R&D centre will free up space to increase the surface area of the company’s manufacturing unit. Indeed, long-term investments are planned to expand production capacities. The surface area of the unit is scheduled to increase from 1,180 m2 today to nearly 5,000 m2 in 2027, with the aim to provide an effective response to market growth.
Through its affiliation with the Croda Group, Parfex benefits from a strengthened global presence, with an office in Dubai and access to Iberchem’s production centres across the globe. In April, the company also set up a permanent commercial presence in the Paris region.
Reducing the environmental footprint
Certified ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001, Parfex is continuing its projects to reduce its environmental footprint, in particular through the installation of photovoltaic panels that will allow the new innovation centre to reach an energy autonomy rate of 80%. The company also supports the Fleurs d’Exception du Pays de Grasse association and has established sourcing partnerships with local farmers in France.
By accelerating its investments and its commitment to innovation and the environment, Parfex intends to embody excellence in the art of perfume composition. “We are resolutely committed to a future-oriented perfumery while remaining faithful to the traditions that have made us famous,” concluded Juana Birkenkamp.
