Circular Economy for Plants: Unilever is pioneering the creation of sustainable fragrances from waste flowers, aiming to reduce reliance on petrochemicals and promote a circular economy.

Efficient Extraction: Advanced techniques, including an enhanced Soxhlet method combined with ultrasonication, make the extraction process 40% faster, saving time and energy.

Environmental Impact: Repurposing plant waste not only helps cut emissions but also supports sustainable sourcing practices.

Unilever is launching an innovative initiative to produce sustainable fragrances by repurposing waste flowers. This pilot program, in collaboration with the University of Nottingham, seeks to minimize emissions and lessen reliance on petrochemical-based ingredients.

Neil Parry, Unilever’s head of biotechnology, commented, “By leveraging the latest biotech and bio-sourcing techniques, we see significant potential in establishing a circular economy for plants, extracting valuable ingredients to create a range of new and sustainable fragrances.”

The team is employing an advanced Soxhlet extraction method, enhanced with ultrasonication, to efficiently extract essential oils from surplus flowers such as petunias, roses, and marigolds. This technique, which uses sound waves to break down cell walls, accelerates the extraction process by 40%, reducing the time needed to just 20 minutes.

Parry highlighted the environmental benefits, noting, “Even plants that don’t meet market standards hold valuable materials that can reduce our environmental impact. Utilizing farm waste in multiple ways is crucial for sustainable ingredient and product sourcing.”

The Bridge Farm Group in Lincolnshire, which supplies 90 million plants annually to UK retailers, collaborates with Unilever to provide flowers that might otherwise go unsold. These flowers are stored in a 60-acre greenhouse, allowing scientists to convert them into high-value raw materials.

Assistant Professor Parimala Shivaprasad from the University of Nottingham added, “Our labs are focused on developing energy-efficient extraction methods and enzyme-based modifications, while assessing the practicality and cost-effectiveness of using plant waste as a raw material. This project highlights the potential of advanced science and technology in creating sustainable solutions.”

In addition to essential oils, Unilever is exploring the extraction of other high-value compounds such as terpenes, lactones, ethers, and complex sugars. These ingredients could be used in textile care and personal care products for odor neutralization, further advancing the sustainability of their product lines.

Through innovative extraction methods and strategic partnerships, Unilever’s initiative not only addresses plant waste sustainably but also sets a benchmark for the industry, demonstrating the company’s dedication to environmental responsibility and innovation.