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dsm-firmenich has continued its long-term partnership with PANTONE® to release a specialised fragrance collection inspired by the 2026 Colour of the Year, Cloud Dancer (PANTONE® 11-4201). This collaboration marks 25 years of the two organisations working together to align visual colour standards with olfactory innovation.

The Cloud Dancer collection includes ten product formats, including eau de parfum, eau de toilette, candles, and various personal care items. The project focuses on translating the "lofty shade of white" into a scent profile designed to promote serenity and mental well-being through advanced scent technology.

Application of Neuroscientific and Design Programs

The development of the Cloud Dancer collection utilised dsm-firmenich’s proprietary emotiOn™ program. This neuroscientific initiative identifies specific ingredients and combinations that trigger targeted emotional responses. To achieve the specific "calm" profile associated with the 2026 colour, perfumers applied emotiCode™ focus rules, which are data-driven fragrance design guidelines intended to support mental performance and clarity.

By using these evidence-based tools, the company aims to move beyond subjective scent creation, instead relying on objective data to ensure the fragrance collection matches the emotional intent of the PANTONE® selection.

Biotechnological and Sustainable Extraction Methods

The collection serves as a showcase for several of dsm-firmenich’s most advanced ingredient technologies. A central component of the fragrance is Clearwood® Prisma, a biotech-derived ingredient that offers an intense woody-patchouli character with facets of amber.

Other technical extraction methods used in the collection include:

• Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE): A process used to preserve the natural chemical profile of ingredients like Patchouli Heart, ensuring a more accurate representation of the raw material.

• NaturePrint®: A proprietary headspace technology used to capture the scent of ingredients in their natural environment without harvesting them, thereby preserving biodiversity while obtaining a precise olfactory fingerprint.

Technical Composition and Creative Profile

Coralie Spicher, a Paris-based perfumer for dsm-firmenich, led the creation of the hero fragrance, Cloud Dancer eau de parfum. The formulation centres on a "white patchouli" profile, achieved by combining an overdose of Clearwood® Prisma with Coconut NaturePrint® to create a contrast between airy, ethereal notes and intense woody depth.

Spicher noted that the intention was to create a scent that reduces environmental "noise" while stimulating the imagination, using white florals and refined patchouli to mirror the visual characteristics of the Cloud Dancer hue. The resulting scents are designed to act as a stabilising influence for consumers, reflecting a broader industry shift toward functional fragrances that prioritise emotional regulation alongside traditional aesthetic appeal.