Design and delivery of the first IFEAT Sustainability Awards

The flavor and fragrance industry sits at the intersection of nature and chemistry, an industry both inspired by and dependent on the planet’s resources. As the global trade association representing 700+ member companies in 70 countries, IFEAT (The International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades) launched the first Sustainability Awards — an initiative to highlight best practices worldwide and position the sector as a driver of positive change. 

We created these Awards to elevate the stories that often go unseen. They are stories of resilience, innovation and collaboration — and they reflect the future we hope to build as an industry.

– Dr. Geemon Korah, Chair of IFEAT

Quantis led the complete design and delivery of the Awards, from developing the methodology to coordinating stakeholders, facilitating an expert panel deliberation and supporting the final ceremony in Göteborg.

Challenge

The main challenge was to build, from scratch, entirely new Awards — moving from concept to launch in just over three months. This required designing a credible and transparent framework that could fairly assess initiatives from both SMEs and large corporations, with applications expected across Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Beyond methodology and to ensure credible Awards representing the industry’s best solutions, the challenge was also to ensure visibility and reach to attract a diverse and high-quality pool of candidates. The solution needed to balance scientific rigor with accessibility, ensuring a consistent, transparent evaluation of projects while showcasing innovation that could inspire peers across the value chain. 

Solutions

Quantis developed and implemented a scientific scoring framework to ensure credibility and comparability across applications. The methodology was built around four main pillars: 

• Environmental impact: Measurable reductions in GHG emissions, water use, waste and biodiversity loss. 
• Socio-economic benefits: Contributions to livelihoods, inclusion and community resilience. 
• Scalability & replicability: Potential to expand across geographies with financial viability. 
• Collaboration: Partnerships within and beyond the value chain. 

Each project was evaluated on a 1-4 maturity scale, from basic to best-in-class, with separate categories for small and large companies to ensure fairness. Quantis oversaw each phase — from stakeholder workshops and application review to expert panel facilitation and ceremony participation — ensuring the process remained structured, transparent and inclusive. 

This is an important initiative by IFEAT, demonstrating the commitment of all federation members to the sustainability and socio-economic impact of our raw materials — a key factor in ensuring the future of our beloved essential oils, extracts and aromatic chemicals.

Jorge Miralles Climent, Member of the Expert Panel

Results

The inaugural Awards drew more than 40 applications from four continents, with 11 projects shortlisted. Quantis supported the expert panel with concise project summaries and a consistent scoring framework, helping ensure selections reflected both evidence and relevance. 

To enhance visibility and recognition, Quantis developed a communications toolbox — including key messages, social media assets, design of certificates and ceremony script — amplifying the stories of winners and finalists. 

The ceremony in Göteborg became a milestone for the IFEAT community: the first global platform to celebrate sustainability leadership in the flavor and fragrance sector, showcasing innovation and reinforcing the industry’s capacity for positive change. 

Let these Awards not only recognize achievement, but remind us all that the future of our industry lies in the choices we make today.

Jorge Miralles Climent, Member of the Expert Panel