Ingredients supplier Solvay has begun the process of decarbonising the cyclopentanone unit of its plant in Melle, France.
Cyclopentanone is widely used in the creation of aroma materials.
Through an agreement with an agricultural cooperative, for the next 15 years, the company’s entire cyclopentanone production will rely solely on green biomethane gas.
The cooperative built a facility to convert waste biomass into 18GWh of renewable natural gas per year, which Solvay has committed to purchase for its Melle plant.
“Since cyclopentanone is used as a building block for so many fragrance applications, such as jasmine, we are committed to producing it in the most sustainable way,” said Guillaume Meunier, Flavor & Fragrance Global Marketing Director for Solvay Aroma Performance.
“Powering the Melle plant with biomethane gas is a part of our Solvay ONE Planet initiative, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26% by 2030.”
Solvay commercialises two grades of cyclopentanone – one for the fragrance market and one ultra-high purity version for the electronics market.
In fragrance applications, cyclopentanone is used as a building block mainly in methyl dihydro jasmonate, which provides a delicate floral bouquet of blooming jasmine flowers.
Other aroma chemicals derived from cyclopentanone include an entire range of delta-lactones which offer a variety of delicate creamy and fruity notes.
In electronics, it utilised as a solvent during several steps in the manufacturing process of semiconductors.
