Trade News
September 2, 2025
Kaiseraugst (Switzerland), Maastricht (Netherlands), September 2, 2025
dsm-firmenich, innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty, proudly announces the launch of emotiOn™ social connection. This patent-pending innovation is the first of its kind to be scientifically proven to foster human connections, enticing people towards real-life interactions. dsm-firmenich developed this innovation as part of its emotiOn™ program, rooted in over 30 years of neuroscientific research and co-developed with leading academic institutions.
In today’s hyperconnected yet emotionally distant world, social connection has become a fundamental need for wellbeing. According to dsm-firmenich’s global New Next Now Barometer - an in-depth study conducted in 20 countries amongst 12,000 consumers, identifying areas of opportunity for fragrance innovation - 75% believe happy social relationships are essential. Yet, 52% of Gen Z say they feel isolated today, and with fewer real-life social interactions, many describe them as stressful and intimidating. Fragrance emerges as a subtle yet powerful bridge, as 61% say scents help combat feelings of isolation.
“This is where emotiOn™ social connection comes in – the first fragrance innovation designed to boost presence and human connections. It blends emotional expertise, data intelligence, and behavioral science, to create fragrances that help bring us closer to each other, that help us connect with others. The power of scent unlocked, making us more present to enjoy real life interactions,” shares Matteo Magnani, Executive Vice President, Growth Office at dsm-firmenich.
Our newly released emotiOn™ social connection innovation was developed through a rigorous scientific process designed to blend behavioral science with creative expertise. Building on an extensive consumer study focused on decoding the olfactive cues linked to the emotions we feel when we connect with others, dsm-firmenich leveraged its industry-leading database - over 40,000 tested fragrances and more than 1 million consumer insights – to uncover olfactive patterns and create olfactive design guidelines for perfumers, thanks to our proprietary AI model. In collaboration with a world-renowned research institute, dsm-firmenich developed an innovative behavioral testing methodology to measure human reactions in the context of social interactions, uniquely designed to validate these creative guidelines. The result: patent-pending fragrance design guidelines that empower perfumers to craft fragrances that foster emotional closeness.
“At dsm-firmenich, we’re harnessing the power of scent to foster emotional wellbeing and human connection,” adds Sarah Reisinger, Chief Science & Research Officer at dsm-firmenich. “The emotiOn™ social connection innovation is grounded in decades of neuroscience and behavioral research, and it’s a testament to how science can elevate everyday experiences. By decoding the emotional language of fragrance, we’re creating scent solutions that help people feel more socially confident and connected.”
emotiOn™ social connection represents a breakthrough in fragrance innovation, with a very versatile and pioneering approach. Applicable across fine fragrance and daily essentials, it transforms scent into a catalyst for social ease and genuine closeness, fostering emotional openness and promoting feelings of belonging. Whether it’s a hug, a shared laugh, or a quiet moment of togetherness—fragrance becomes the invisible thread that draws people closer, redefining everyday experiences through the power of emotional connection.
For more information on emotiOn™, go to our website here: Emotions
A PDF version of this press release can be found here.
Camille Le Gall
tel. +33 614 714 121
Email: camille.le.gall@dsm-firmenich.com
As innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty, dsm-firmenich reinvents, manufactures, and combines vital nutrients, flavors, and fragrances for the world’s growing population to thrive. With our comprehensive range of solutions, with natural and renewable ingredients and renowned science and technology capabilities, we work to create what is essential for life, desirable for consumers, and more sustainable for people and the planet. dsm-firmenich is a Swiss company with dual headquarters in Kaiseraugst, Switzerland and Maastricht, Netherlands, listed on the Euronext Amsterdam, with operations in almost 60 countries and revenues of more than €12 billion. With a diverse, worldwide team of nearly 30,000 employees, we bring progress to life every day, everywhere, for billions of people. www.dsm-firmenich.com
Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to dsm-firmenich’s future performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of dsm-firmenich and information currently available to the company. dsm-firmenich cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance, transaction progress and positions to differ materially from these statements. dsm-firmenich has no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law. This communication contains information that qualifies as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The English language version of this press release prevails over other language versions.