Sylvamber™ – Woody Amber from the Paper Forest
Sylvamber™ – Woody Amber from the Paper Forest
Sylvamber™ is dsm-firmenich's answer to ISO E Super: an intense, warm woody note between cedarwood and amber, obtained by upcycling turpentine from the paper industry. This page summarises what the manufacturer's data say about the material's origin, composition and use.
Contents
- What Sylvamber is
- Chemical identity and CAS number
- Sylvamber and ISO E Super compared
- From turpentine to aroma chemical
- A building block at any concentration
- Classification and IFRA
- Frequently asked questions
1. What Sylvamber is
Sylvamber™ is a woody material from dsm-firmenich with the official descriptors Cedarwood and Ambery. The manufacturer describes it as "Intense warm, woody note. SYLVAMBER invites to a new journey through cedar and amber notes."
A perfumer of the house describes it as multifaceted – "cedarwood, powdery and violet". On the manufacturer's scale Sylvamber™ reaches a tenacity of 9. The material was introduced in 2022 in the "Sharing Innovation" collection.
2. Chemical identity and CAS number
dsm-firmenich lists Sylvamber™ under CAS 54464-57-2 – "1-(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphtyl)ethan-1-one and isomers" – and REACH registration number 01-2119489989-04. Molecular formula C16H26O, molecular weight 234.38 g/mol.
It is a reaction mass of positional isomers; the exact isomer distribution is not published. The manufacturer does not state an EC number.
3. Sylvamber and ISO E Super compared
Sylvamber™ belongs to the same compound class as ISO E Super and is listed under the same CAS number 54464-57-2 ("and isomers"). Nevertheless, they are independent branded qualities from different manufacturers, each with its own isomer distribution and production route.
If you want to hear the difference, compare both materials side by side on a blotter.
4. From turpentine to aroma chemical
dsm-firmenich's woody family goes back to 1972 (Polywood®) and 1986 (Norlimbanol®). Sylvamber™ continues this line with an upcycling approach: turpentine, a side stream of paper and board production from softwood (botanical source: Pinus contorta), is fractionated – mainly via DRT, acquired in 2020 – yielding alpha- and beta-pinene as starting materials.
The result according to the manufacturer: over 50 % renewable carbon and a Green Score of 70–100 %.
5. A building block at any concentration
According to the manufacturer, "Sylvamber™ strengthens perfumes and gives every composition volume, elegance, warmth and sophistication". Perfumer Clement Gavarry puts it this way: "Like the Hedione of Florals, Sylvamber™ is a great building block at any percentage in a formula."
The average dosage in fine fragrance is 6.1 %, with maximum values up to 19.7 %. Averages: shampoo 0.66 %, shower gel and soap 3.1 %, detergent 2.4 %, candles 3.1 %.
6. Classification and IFRA
According to the manufacturer's data, Sylvamber™ is classified as skin irritant (H315), skin sensitiser (H317) and hazardous to the aquatic environment, chronic, category 2 (H411). Signal word "Warning", pictograms GHS07 and GHS09. The manufacturer rates the material as partially biodegradable; residues must not go down the drain.
An IFRA Standard (Amendment 49) applies with a restriction due to dermal sensitisation and systemic toxicity; the maximum levels per product category in the current IFRA Standard are authoritative.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sylvamber the same as ISO E Super?
Both belong to the same compound class and carry the same CAS number 54464-57-2 ("and isomers"), but they are independent branded qualities from different manufacturers, each with its own isomer distribution.
What is the CAS number of Sylvamber?
CAS 54464-57-2 ("1-(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphtyl)ethan-1-one and isomers"), according to dsm-firmenich; REACH registration number 01-2119489989-04.
What is Sylvamber made from?
From turpentine, a side stream of the paper industry (Pinus contorta). According to the manufacturer it contains over 50 % renewable carbon.
How should Sylvamber be dosed?
In fine fragrance on average 6.1 %, maximum 19.7 %. The current IFRA Standard additionally applies to the finished product.