Symrise wins worldwide L’Oréal Energy Award for circular hydrogen recycling that advances decarbonization in cosmetics

• L’Oréal honors “Closing the Hydrogen Loop” as a pioneering circular production model
• Reduces fresh hydrogen demand by around 80% and improves process efficiency at scale
• Supports reliable supply and lower carbon intensity for everyday cosmetic applications

Symrise won the worldwide L’Oréal Sustainable Sourcing 2026 Energy Award in the PIONEERING category for “Closing the Hydrogen Loop.” As part of the “Spread The Green Vibes” event, the award aims to inspire business partners around a shared vision while recognizing scalable flagship projects that advance Scope 3 decarbonization. The recognition honors the more resource-efficient production process of the cosmetic ingredient Hydrolite ^® 5 green. By reducing fresh hydrogen demand and thus supporting reliable supply, the circular process advances decarbonization and value creation across global value chains.

Recognized for circular and scalable impact

The recognition highlights how Symrise combines engineering expertise with circular process design to create measurable value for customers and consumers. It advances lower-carbon cosmetic ingredient manufacturing while helping strengthen resilient value chains for products used across the beauty product market.

“This award shows what strong partnerships can achieve,” says Dr. Keke Hiller, Global President Aroma Molecules at Symrise. “We turn circular thinking into climate-smart manufacturing of cosmetic ingredients.”

With “Closing the Hydrogen Loop,” Symrise captures hydrogen generated during the production of Hydrolite ^® 5 green, purifies it, and returns it to the manufacturing process. This closed-loop approach reduces the need for fossil-based fresh hydrogen while improving resource efficiency and operational performance.

Measurable gains in efficiency and emissions

The method cuts fresh hydrogen consumption by around 80% and reaches app. 98% recovery ratio. This lowers Scope 1 emissions and increases process efficiency, creating a more resilient production model that supports customers’ climate ambitions.

“The production of Hydrolite ^® 5 green shows how sustainability and business work smartly together,” says Timothy Kenny, Global President Care & Wellness. “The process lowers carbon intensity and supports customers’ sustainability goals.”

The technology originally developed for Hydrolite ^® 5 green already operates at industrial scale. The biobased pentylene glycol goes into a wide range of cosmetic applications. Its production therefore shows how circular engineering can support reliable supply and lower-carbon ingredient manufacturing.

From pioneering mindset to driving sustainable change

The initiative offers strong replication potential. Its engineering principle can serve as a blueprint for gas-intensive processes and help enable more CO ₂-efficient manufacturing in the cosmetics industry and beyond.