Ambermax™ – Givaudan's Amber-Woody Captive
Ambermax™ by Givaudan – The Complete Reference
Some molecules are kept secret for years before they get a name outside a research lab. Ambermax™ is one of them – a material Givaudan once deliberately kept off the market, that today plays a central role in a recent scientific study on the human olfactory system, and that, according to database entries, is already found in 37 commercial perfumes.
This page explains the history, chemistry and practice of Ambermax™ – including an important note on safe handling.
Contents
- The captive story – from 2008 to market release
- Ambermax™ in olfactory research – a recent study
- What does Ambermax™ smell like?
- Chemistry and physical properties
- Dosage and application
- Practical – crystallization, dissolving, combining
- Safety and regulation
- Frequently asked questions
1. The captive story – from 2008 to market release
In 2008, Givaudan registered the Ambermax™ trademark. For years the molecule remained a captive material – reserved exclusively for the company's own perfumers and not available on the open market.
In a Bloomberg report published in 2012, Givaudan researcher Felix Flachsmann said the pine-based molecule would not be sold for at least a few more years. The exclusivity, according to Flachsmann, was an enormous advantage for the company's own perfumers and beneficial for perfume sales.
The background: the fragrance industry had been searching for decades for effective alternatives to natural ambergris – the rare aroma material from the digestive tract of the sperm whale. Numerous manufacturers developed their own ambergris substitutes; Givaudan chose to keep Ambermax™ exclusive because the molecule was judged to be potentially worth millions.
Only years later did Ambermax™ become available through regular Givaudan distribution – initially as a 50% solution in Dowanol TPM, later also as a 10% dilution in triethyl citrate (TEC). Today it belongs, according to Givaudan, to the existing range of ambery-woody materials together with Okoumal™, Amberketal and Ambrofix™.
2. Ambermax™ in olfactory research – a recent study
In October 2025, a team of researchers from Givaudan – including Felix Flachsmann again – published, together with other scientists, a study in the journal Current Biology (Cell Press) on human olfaction at the molecular receptor level.
In the study, the researchers chose the olfactory receptor OR7C1 as a target for targeted optimization. This receptor responds exclusively in the range of 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻⁴ mol to the highly potent odorant Ambermax™ – with an odor threshold of 0.06 ng/l in vivo. The researchers used this behavior as a starting point to improve the receptor's sensitivity by genetic engineering.
That Givaudan chose Ambermax™ as a reference molecule for this fundamental research into the human sense of smell shows the material's potency: it is among the most potent known aroma materials.
3. What does Ambermax™ smell like?
Givaudan describes Ambermax™ as a powerful, fusing and substantive amber note with woody cedarwood facets – in its own words, the most powerful and efficient dry amber note ever developed.
Ambermax™ is perceived as:
- dry woody amber
- warm cedarwood facets
- compact woody-amber structure
- dry mineral warmth
- a defined drydown
- long-lasting woody presence
- a structured amber base
The odor threshold of 0.0585 ng/l makes Ambermax™ one of the most perceptible aroma materials – the effect remains noticeable even at extremely low concentrations. Unlike softer amber materials, it conveys less roundness than direction, contour and stability.
According to the Parfumo database, Ambermax™ is documented as a fragrance note in 37 commercial perfumes – mostly in the base note, where it gives compositions structure and depth.
4. Chemistry and physical properties
Chemically, Ambermax™ is a mixture of two structurally isomeric compounds: 2-(2,2,7,7-tetramethyltricyclo[6.2.1.0(1,6)]undec-5-en-5-yl)propan-1-ol and its structural isomer with the double bond at position 4. The molecular formula is C₁₈H₃₀O at a molecular weight of 262.4 g/mol.
With a Log Pow of 6.3, Ambermax™ is among the particularly lipophilic aroma materials – a property that contributes to substantivity on fabric and skin. Givaudan highlights the fabric substantivity: in tests for laundry care products, Ambermax™ exceeds all comparison values on dry fabric, which is why it is regarded as a key building block for fabric-care formulations.
5. Dosage and application
Ambermax™ is used at very low dosages, since even small amounts can clearly change the perception of a formula – often the impression created is not of an additional aroma material, but of a more clearly built composition.
Ambermax™ finds application in amber and woody-amber compositions, woody base accords, cedarwood-oriented fragrance structures, skin-scent compositions, body care, deodorants, shampoo, hair care and soaps – and in laundry care products, where its high fabric substantivity comes into its own.
Givaudan recommends combinations with other materials of the same family – one official example: 30% Ambermax™ 50%/Dowanol TPM with 70% Kephalis gives a pronounced cistus note with pine, earthy and fruity facets.
6. Practical – crystallization, dissolving, combining
Crystallization
Ambermax™ 50%/Dowanol TPM can crystallize at low temperatures – for instance during transport in winter. According to the safety data sheet, the material is a liquid but can crystallize. Should this happen:
- Warm the container in a water bath at moderate temperature (max. 30–40°C)
- Swirl gently from time to time to promote even warming
- Do not heat directly or expose to open flame
- After warming, store cool but not too cold (10–30°C recommended)
Synergies
- Ambrofix™ – both materials from the Givaudan amber family, complement each other into multi-layered amber accords
- Cedramber – reinforces the cedarwood facet of Ambermax™
- Kephalis – official Givaudan recommendation for cistus accords (30:70)
- Traces of Ambermax™ in combination with other amber materials give additional lift in the formula
7. Safety and regulation
Unlike other Givaudan materials in our range, Ambermax™ 50%/Dowanol TPM is classified as a hazardous mixture under the CLP Regulation (signal word "Warning"):
- H332 – Harmful if inhaled
- H315 – Causes skin irritation
- H317 – May cause an allergic skin reaction
- H410 – Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
According to the Givaudan safety data sheet, Ambermax™ is neither readily (1% after 28 days, OECD 301F) nor inherently biodegradable (0% after 32 days, OECD 302C). In Germany, the highest water hazard class WGK 3 applies. Transport is under UN 3082, dangerous goods class 9.
Use protective gloves, safety goggles and adequate ventilation when handling. Do not allow to enter water bodies or sewers.
Frequently asked questions about Ambermax™
Was Ambermax™ really a captive molecule?
Yes. Givaudan registered the trademark in 2008 and, according to a Bloomberg report published in 2012, kept the material exclusive to its own perfumery. Today Ambermax™ is available through regular trade.
Why is Ambermax™ used in olfactory research?
In a study published in Current Biology in 2025, Givaudan researchers used Ambermax™ as a reference molecule to investigate the olfactory receptor OR7C1 – because of its extremely low odor threshold (0.06 ng/l), it is suited to such precision studies.
What do you do if Ambermax™ crystallizes?
The material can crystallize at low temperatures. Warming in a water bath (max. 30–40°C) usually dissolves the crystals again.
Is Ambermax™ an Ambroxan variant?
No. Ambermax™ is chemically an independent molecule, even though, like Ambroxan, it belongs to the family of amber materials.
Is Ambermax™ hazardous to handle?
Ambermax™ 50%/Dowanol TPM is classified as a hazardous mixture under the CLP Regulation (H332, H315, H317, H410). Protective gloves and adequate ventilation are recommended.
In how many perfumes is Ambermax™ used?
According to the Parfumo database, Ambermax™ is recorded as a fragrance note in 37 documented commercial perfumes – mostly in the base note.