Unilever has partnered with the University of Nottingham to initiate a groundbreaking pilot project aimed at converting commercial flower waste into valuable fragrance oils, paving the way for more sustainable consumer products.
This innovative initiative seeks to repurpose millions of tonnes of unused flowers, including petunias, roses, and marigolds, that would otherwise be discarded. By leveraging advanced biotechnology, Unilever and Nottingham scientists aim to extract naturally occurring ingredients from these waste plants, creating a circular economy that benefits both the environment and the industry.
The pilot project is being carried out in collaboration with Bridge Farm Group in Spalding, where unsold flowers will be stored in a 60-acre greenhouse. These plants will then be processed in a lab to extract high-value raw materials, marking a significant step forward in sustainable fragrance production.
The extraction process utilises an enhanced version of the Soxhlet method, which traditionally separates compounds using solvents. The team has optimised this process by incorporating ultrasonication, a technique that employs sound waves to disrupt cell walls, resulting in faster extraction times and higher yields. Unilever reports that this new method is 40% quicker than conventional approaches, taking just 20 minutes to extract essential oils.
Our work in biotech and biosourcing is unlocking new opportunities to create a sustainable, circular economy for plants
This breakthrough comes at a crucial time, as fluctuations in seasonal demand and quality can lead to vast amounts of plant waste annually. Moreover, the project supports a broader shift away from petrochemical-derived ingredients, emphasising the potential of organic materials in reducing environmental impact.
“Fragrance plays a crucial role in our daily lives, whether in personal care or home products,” said Neil Parry, Head of Biotechnology at Unilever. “Our work in biotech and biosourcing is unlocking new opportunities to create a sustainable, circular economy for plants, ensuring that even those that don’t meet retail standards can contribute to reducing environmental impact.”
Assistant Professor Parimala Shivaprasad from the University of Nottingham highlighted the project’s broader implications: “Our collaboration is focused on exploring the viability of flower essential oils in decarbonising everyday products. We’re developing energy-efficient methods and enzyme-based modifications to make the best use of plant waste as a raw material, demonstrating the power of science and technology in driving sustainable innovation.”
Beyond fragrance, Unilever is also investigating the extraction of other high-value ingredients, such as complex sugars for textile care in cleaning products and malodor neutralisers for personal care items, underscoring the project’s potential to revolutionise sustainable product development.