In a pilot, unsold flowers are being transformed into fragrances for Unilever products

Unilever is pioneering a novel approach to fragrance creation by repurposing leftover plants and flowers that would otherwise go to waste. The consumer goods giant has partnered with scientists at the University of Nottingham and Bridge Farm Group — which grows plants and flowers in over 60 acres of greenhouse space — to pilot the extraction of essential oils from leftover petunias, roses and marigolds.

If large-scale production is economically feasible, these oils could be used in a range of home and personal care products, from shampoos to cleaning solutions. The initiative not only addresses the issue of floral waste but also explores a more sustainable alternative to the petrochemical-derived ingredients that are currently used in many products.

Compounds are being extracted from the flowers using a process that combines traditional methods with cutting-edge technology. As reported by The Independent, the scientists involved are using an energy-efficient and accelerated process that takes just 20 minutes, which is 40% faster than conventional techniques. Beyond essential oils, Unilever is also investigating extracting other high-value ingredients such as terpenes, lactones and ethers for fragrances, complex sugars for cleaning products and odor-neutralizing compounds for personal care items.