Symrise opens new vanilla processing plant in Madagascar

Symrise has opened a vanilla extraction facility with the aim of sustainable production in Madagascar for around €3m.

With the opening of this site, the East African island will be able to carry out all steps of vanilla processing locally for the first time.

The 3,500m² facility will be involved in the analysis, quality control and the proper storage of vanilla extracts. The newly constructed site has a total of 36ha of space.

The company also plans to process important raw materials such as vetiver, an important and popular fragrance for producing perfumes at the facility.

Speaking about the facility, Symrise CEO Heinz-Jürgen Bertram said: "This site is a further milestone in Symrise’s strategy of establishing the entire value chain for vanilla in its source country and in accordance with strict sustainability criteria.

"With this new plant, we are completing the cycle of responsible vanilla production on site. Our vanilla activities in Madagascar are the best evidence that business success and sustainability go hand-in-hand. Our investment of roughly €3m is a clear statement that we are directly committed long-term to the country, its people and vanilla farming."

To source high quality natural vanilla and ensure seamless traceability, the company will work with 7,000 vanilla farmers spread across 90 villages in north-eastern Madagascar.

The company claims that this model of vanilla production is one of the most successful and far-reaching sustainability projects in the entire vanilla industry which benefits more than 30,000 people directly and indirectly in terms of income, health, education and training.

Symrise has further committed to reinvest 10% of its yields from vanilla operations into Madagascar in the form of education and training, reforestation and the sustainable cultivation of various agricultural raw materials on the island.

Commenting on the features of the plant, Symrise Madagascar head Alain Bourdon said: "Benavony is a strong symbol for Symrise’s sustainable approach in Madagascar. We produce the energy by burning acacia wood and bamboo. We purchase the bamboo from village residents, providing them with additional income.

"At the same time, residents are trained in the sustainable cultivation and harvesting of bamboo. As part of a Symrise reforestation programme in 2014 approximately 80,000 acacia and 50,000 intsia bijuga seedlings were planted. The same number of trees will also be planted in 2015."

Symrise currently processes about 200 tons of vanilla locally each year, which represents around 10% of the annual harvest in Madagascar. Symrise also opened a new fermentation and storage complex in the Madagascan city of Antalaha in February 2014.

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Image: Officials taking a tour of the new vanilla processing plant. Photo: courtesy of Symrise.