- Robertet Company:
Web:robertet.com
Robertet Group (Euronext: RBT)
A leading global manufacturer of flavors and fragrances specializing in natural raw materials, Robertet Group has a rich history dating back to 1850. This French company has established a strong industry presence, renowned for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and quality. Founded in Grasse, France—the heart of perfumery—Robertet has grown to become one of the world’s top developers of flavor and perfume additives and ingredients. The company’s initial focus on natural raw materials and essential oils positioned it to capitalize on the rising demand for natural products in the flavors and fragrances industry.
A Legacy Rooted in Innovation
François Chauve laid the foundation for Robertet in 1850 when he founded"A La Confiance", a factory processing flowers and plants of Provence. Soon joined by his nephew, perfumer and distiller Jean-Baptiste Maubert, this partnership marked the beginning of a lasting legacy.
Key Milestones in History
1850: Founding and Early Growth
François Chauve established"A La Confiance", later joined by Jean-Baptiste Maubert, setting the stage for the company’s evolution.
1875: Paul Robertet and the Eiffel Factory
Paul Robertet acquired the company, renamed it, and commissioned a state-of-the-art factory designed by Gustave Eiffel. This milestone led to a gold medal at the 1900 Universal Exhibition and the rise of its international reputation.
1880: Innovation in Instant Coffee
Robertet patented the first process for manufacturing instant coffee, exemplifying its early innovative spirit.
1883: Relocation to Grasse
Moving headquarters from Paris to Grasse, the cradle of French perfumery, solidified its industry position.
1900: Universal Exposition Recognition
Under Jean-Baptiste Maubert’s leadership, Robertet earned a gold medal at the 1900 Universal Exposition, cementing its status as an industry leader.
1923: New Management and Innovations
Maurice Maubert, Jean-Baptiste’s son, took over in 1923, introducing groundbreaking methods for natural essences—such as "Colorless" essences (1935) and authentic "Butaflors" scents (1950)—admired by Parisian perfumers like Guerlain, Chanel, and Patou.
1961: Diversification and Expansion
Led by Jean and Paul Maubert, the company diversified into fragrancing compositions and food flavors, expanding across Europe, America, and Asia with new production facilities and partnerships.
1982–1986: Stock Exchange Listing and US Expansion
Robertet listed on the Paris Stock Exchange in 1984, ensuring independence. The 1986 acquisition of Jay Flavors solidified its leadership in the US natural flavors market.
1993–2006: A New Era of Growth
Under Philippe Maubert’s presidency (with brothers Christophe and Olivier), Robertet experienced unprecedented growth: a high-tech US factory for food flavors, expanded fragrance division, and raw materials facilities in South Africa.
2007–2011: Global Development
Key moves included acquiring Charabot (2007), building a plant in China, a joint venture with an Indian group, and a $30M US expansion of the Flavor division.
2016: Bionov Acquisition
Acquiring Bionov added natural ingredients for food supplements, expanding into nutrition and health.
2019: Sirius Acquisition
Acquiring Sirius, an organic essential oils specialist, strengthened Robertet’s organic product portfolio and enabled turnkey well-being product ranges.
2022: Omega Ingredients Acquisition
In May 2022, Robertet acquired Omega Ingredients (UK), a natural food flavoring manufacturer, expanding global reach.
2023: Aroma Esencial Acquisition
Acquiring Aroma Esencial (Girona), specializing in vetiver, patchouli, and essential aroma ingredients, brought expertise in fractionation and molecular distillation, enhancing fine fragrance market offerings.
Present-Day Leadership
Today, Robertet operates in over 50 countries, standing as a global fragrance and flavor pioneer. Its journey—marked by innovation, expansion, and unwavering quality—reinforces its status as an industry leader.
Note on Fragrantica’s Listing Practice
At Fragrantica, while we strive to credit individual perfumers, we sometimes list renowned fragrance houses like IFF, Robertet, Firmenich, Mane, or Givaudan when a perfumer’s name is undisclosed. These companies’ expertise and involvement in fragrance development are valuable information for our users, serving as a meaningful alternative when specific perfumer details are unavailable.
