What Payan Bertrand does

Payan Bertrand is a 170-year-old French family-owned producer of natural aromatic raw materials and custom fragrance compounds, headquartered in Grasse — historically recognized as the world capital of perfumery. Founded in 1854 and controlled by the Proal family since 1922, the company operates across two primary lines: (1) Natural Ingredients, comprising essential oils, absolutes, isolates, CO2 extracts, and molecular distillations derived from botanical sources such as jasmine, rose, violet leaf, mimosa, patchouli, tonka beans, ambrette, and styrax; and (2) Fragrance Compounds, which are custom formulations for fine perfumery, personal care, home care, and ambient applications. Production is anchored on proprietary extraction and processing capabilities including steam distillation, solvent extraction, molecular distillation, supercritical CO2 extraction, and fractionation, supported by automated compounding systems (Roxane robot capable of mixing 800 ingredients at 0.01g accuracy; Colibri blender handling 40mg to 8kg).

The company's underlying production infrastructure spans multiple sites in Grasse, including a historical headquarters, a dedicated fragrance compounds unit operational since 2004 (1,000 m²), and a modern natural ingredients facility commissioned in late 2019 (the "Paname" unit), with continued investment in a new industrial site announced in November 2025 (€12 million). Annual processing capacity exceeds 300 tonnes of natural aromatic raw materials. The business model is B2B and quotation-based, with approximately 90% of production exported to more than 60 markets across five continents via a direct sales force and an experienced international agent network. Revenue is generated from one-time sales/contracts across four end-segments — perfumery, food flavors, cosmetics, and aromatherapy — with fragrance compounds representing roughly 40% of revenue and natural ingredients contributing 35% to the fragrance mix and 25% to the flavor ingredients mix.

Customer-facing marketing is executed primarily through trade shows (SIMPPAR, Cosmoprof, Beauty World Middle East, In-Cosmetics, FAFAI, CITE Japan), industry association memberships (Prodarom, IFEAT, SNIAA), and selective PR in industry publications. The company holds ISO 22000, ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001, HACCP, and Ecocert organic certifications, along with the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) French heritage label and the IG Absolue Pays de Grasse geographic indication, signaling strong regulatory positioning. Leadership is family-driven (Eric Proal as President, Vincent Proal as Managing Director, Marie Proal as Engineering Process Manager) supplemented by experienced division heads across Natural Ingredients, Perfumery, R&D, QHSE, and Regulatory Affairs.

Name

Payan Bertrand

Legal name

Payan Bertrand S.A.

Website

https://payanbertrand.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1854

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Payan Bertrand is a 170-year-old French family-owned producer of natural aromatic ingredients (essential oils, absolutes, CO2 extracts) and custom fragrance compounds for perfumery, food flavors, cosmetics, and aromatherapy clients, exporting 90% of output to 60+ global markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural Aromatic Ingredients and Fragrance Compounds

NAICS

Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (4246)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844), Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Flavors, Fragrances & Aroma Chemicals (IMAEABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Natural Extracts & Essential Oils (Botanical/Citrus/Herb/Spice Extracts) (AFAJADAB), Flavorings & Extracts (Natural & Artificial) (CRADAOAA), Natural & Clean Fragrance (CRABADAG), Personal Fragrances (Perfume, Cologne, Body Sprays) (CRADANAD)

Keywords

• Natural aromatic ingredients
• Fragrance compounds
• Essential oils manufacturing
• Natural perfumery materials
• Aroma extracts production

Headquarters

HQ city

Grasse

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Natural Ingredients: Production and sale of natural aromatic ingredients including essential oils, absolutes, isolates, and CO2 extracts for perfumery, food flavorings, cosmetics, and aromatherapy applications. Represents 35% of fragrance ingredients and 25% of flavour ingredients revenue mix.
2. Fragrance Compounds: Custom fragrance formulation and compounding services for fine perfumery, ambient fragrances, personal care, and home care applications. Represents 40% of company revenue.
3. Fragrance Ingredients: Specialty natural ingredients for fragrance compounds, accounting for 35% of fragrance-related revenue.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Payan Bertrand produces and sells premium natural aromatic ingredients (essential oils, absolutes, CO2 extracts, molecular distillations, isolates) and develops custom fragrance compounds for the perfumery, cosmetics, food flavors, and aromatherapy industries. The company operates an integrated supply chain from raw material processing to finished fragrance formulations, leveraging proprietary extraction and compounding technologies.

Product overview

Payan Bertrand is a fragrance house and natural ingredients company specializing in aromatic raw materials and custom fragrance compounds. The product portfolio centers on two core offerings: a comprehensive range of natural ingredients (essential oils, extracts, CO2 extracts, molecular distillations, isolates, gums, balms, and organic-certified materials) organized under the Signature Range, and custom fragrance compounds for fine perfumery and functional applications. Key ingredient categories include specialty florals (Jasmine, Rose, Violet leaf, Mimosa), exotic materials (Ambrette, Patchouli, Tonka bean, Styrax, Incense), and process/technical products. The company also offers branded fragrance products including Pure Signature (100% natural perfumes) and air care products (candles, incense, sprays).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pure Signature: A new brand founded in 2023 by Frédéric Badie, offering 100% natural fragrant compositions made from Payan Bertrand's emblematic raw materials, with a creation studio
• PB Music'All

Products and services

• Natural Ingredients Catalog (Essential Oils, Absolutes, CO2 Extracts, Isolates, Molecular Distillations) A catalog of 300+ natural aromatic ingredients including essential oils, floral absolutes (jasmine, rose, violet leaf, mimosa), CO2 extracts, molecular distillations, isolates, gums and balms (styrax), and organic Ecocert-certified materials. Sold B2B to fragrance houses, food flavor companies, cosmetics manufacturers, and aromatherapy brands.
• Fragrance Compounds Custom-developed fragrance compounds for fine perfumery, personal care (shower gels, soaps, hair products), home care (detergents, softeners), and air care (candles, incense) applications. Created by in-house perfumers with in-use testing, stability testing, and full regulatory compliance.
• Pure Signature Sub-Brand A 100% natural fragrance brand founded by Frédéric Badie in 2023, offering pure, natural aromatic compositions built on Payan Bertrand's signature natural raw materials. Includes a creation studio for bespoke natural fragrance development.
• BIO Organic Certified Ingredients Ecocert-certified organic aromatic ingredients and extracts, including the BIO incense oil launched in 2021, designed for customers seeking certified organic natural materials for cosmetics, aromatherapy, and home applications.
• Signature Range A premium line of 100% natural aromatic ingredients and extracts featuring distinctive signature raw materials including Ambrette, Flouve, Violet leaf, Mimosa, Rose Centifolia, Patchouli, and Tonka bean.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ tonnes of natural aromatic materials processed annually
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Convention des Entreprises pour le Climat (CEC) Provence MéditerranéecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2026Payan Bertrand joined the Climate Enterprise Convention for Provence Méditerranée, committing to environmental and climate action as part of broader sustainable development strategy.
• The Lermond CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 March 2026Strategic partnership for US market expansion. The Lermond Company serves as a key distribution partner helping Payan Bertrand accelerate its development in the United States market.
• EXSYMOLcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 201910-year collaboration on the valorization of vegetable co-products in a cosmetic approach. Joint development of Meiyanol, an eco-designed anti-cernes (anti-dark circles) ingredient derived from elderberry drêches (press residues). Partnership demonstrates circular economy approach connecting Aromas/Perfumes and Cosmetics industries.
• Courrin Jean & FilsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Distribution partner for natural ingredients on the Azur basin region since January 2019. With 80+ years of experience and excellent expertise, Courrin ensures continuity of commercial relationships between Payan Bertrand and its customers in the region.
• ONG ID DéveloppementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting the Ylang supply chain in the Comoros Islands, focused on eco-responsibility and sustainable sourcing. Payan Bertrand supports the development project to strengthen the Ylang supply chain with ethical sourcing practices.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Biolandes: French producer of natural aromatic extracts from plants, with operations spanning wild-harvesting and cultivated biomass. Comparable as a direct competitor in natural ingredients for perfumery and flavors, with similar sustainability and traceability positioning.
• Albert Vieille: Specialist in natural aromatic raw materials based in Grasse. A focused peer given the shared niche of 100% natural essential oils, absolutes, and concretes for the perfumery and aromatherapy markets.
• Robertet: French, family-controlled specialty fragrance and flavor house headquartered in Grasse. Directly comparable given the overlapping focus on natural aromatic ingredients, custom fragrance compounding, and similar geographic / customer base in fine perfumery, food flavors, and cosmetics.
• Mane: Independent French family-owned flavors and fragrances group headquartered near Grasse. Closely comparable as a vertically integrated producer of natural ingredients and fragrance compounds serving perfumery, food, and personal care customers globally.

Emerging players

• Diffusions Aromatiques: French distributor and formulator of aromatic raw materials serving perfumery, cosmetics, and food flavors. Comparable as a regional French player with overlapping customer base and ingredient portfolio, and notably a former employer of Payan Bertrand's Director of Operations.
• Treatt: UK-based specialist in natural and synthetic flavor and fragrance ingredients, particularly citrus and tea extracts. Comparable as a focused ingredient supplier with strong naturals expertise and similar customer overlap in flavors.

Broad incumbents

• International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): Global F&F major with broad naturals and synthetic portfolios. Relevant as a broad incumbent competing for the same perfumery, food, and home care customers.
• Givaudan: World's largest flavors and fragrances company. A broad incumbent operating across the same end markets with overlapping capabilities in fragrance compounding and natural ingredient sourcing, but at vastly greater scale and with a much broader portfolio.
• DSM-Firmenich: Global leader in nutrition, health, and beauty ingredients formed through the merger of DSM and Firmenich. Operates in flavors and fragrances with extensive natural ingredient capabilities, representing the largest end-to-end peer.
• Symrise: Major global flavors and fragrances supplier with a strong naturals business (Diana Foods) and significant perfumery presence. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving the same customer segments with overlapping naturals offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/puresignaturefr

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Payan Bertrand