Sylvamber™ (dsm-firmenich) | Woody-Amber, Alternative to ISO E Super

Sylvamber™ – dsm-firmenich

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 (botanical source: Pinus contorta). The material was introduced in 2022 in the "Sharing Innovation" collection.

Odor Profile

• "Intense warm, woody note. SYLVAMBER invites to a new journey through cedar and amber notes." (official manufacturer description)
• "A vibrant modern woody note unveiling cedarwood, powdery, and ambery undertones" (manufacturer booklet)
• Odor family: Woody; official descriptors: Cedarwood, Ambery
• A perfumer of the house describes it as multifaceted – "cedarwood, powdery and violet" – and reminiscent of forest walks after the rain
• Tenacity: 9 on the manufacturer's scale (for comparison: Ambrox® Super reaches 12 ≈ 1 month on the blotter)
• Physical form: clear liquid

Role in the Formula

According to the manufacturer, "Sylvamber™ strengthens perfumes and gives every composition volume, elegance, warmth and sophistication". Perfumer Clement Gavarry compares its role with a famous model: "Like the Hedione of Florals, Sylvamber™ is a great building block at any percentage in a formula" – a foundation that works at any concentration. The average dosage in fine fragrance is 6.1%, with maximum values up to 19.7%.

For context: according to the manufacturer's data, Sylvamber™ is a reaction mass of positional isomers of 1-(octahydro-tetramethyl-naphthyl)ethan-1-one – the same compound class as ISO E Super. dsm-firmenich lists it 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. The exact isomer distribution of Sylvamber™ is not published.

Use in Perfumery

• Fine fragrance: avg. 6.1% / max. 19.7%
• Shampoo: avg. 0.66% / max. 4.3% · Shower gel & soap: avg. 3.1% / max. 8.5%
• Detergent: avg. 2.4% / max. 6.7% · Fabric softener: avg. 2.6% / max. 5.7%
• All-purpose cleaner: avg. 1.5% / max. 4.0% · Candles: avg. 3.1% / max. 6.2%
• Substantivity (manufacturer's scale): shampoo 3/3, shower gel 3/3, soap 3/3, detergent 3/3, fabric softener 3/3

Practical Notes: Dissolving, Storing, Combining

Dissolving: Clear liquid, can be dosed directly; for fine work an ethanol dilution is recommended.

Storing: Store cool, dry, protected from light and tightly sealed.

Combining: The manufacturer positions the material as a building block for cedar and amber accords that gives compositions volume and warmth – in Gavarry's words, a foundation "at any percentage". Anyone who wants to hear the difference should compare it directly with ISO E Super on the blotter.

Upcycling from the Paper Industry

dsm-firmenich's woody family goes back to 1972 (Polywood®) and 1986 (Norlimbanol®) – materials the manufacturer positions as sustainable, high-performance alternatives to traditional woody raw materials such as patchouli and sandalwood. Sylvamber™ continues this line with an upcycling approach: turpentine, a side stream of paper and board production from softwood, is fractionated – mainly via DRT, acquired in 2020 – yielding alpha- and beta-pinene as starting materials. The result: over 50% renewable carbon and a Green Score of 70–100% (manufacturer data). Market launch: "Sharing Innovation" collection, press release of 01.03.2022.

More about the origin and the comparison with ISO E Super can be found on our encyclopedia page Sylvamber™ – Woody Amber from the Paper Forest.

Safety Information

According to the manufacturer's data, Sylvamber™ is classified as hazardous: skin irritation, category 2 (H315), skin sensitization, category 1B (H317) and hazardous to the aquatic environment, chronic, category 2 (H411 – toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects). Signal word "Warning", pictograms GHS07 and GHS09. The manufacturer rates the material as partially biodegradable. IFRA: subject to the IFRA Restriction Standard for OTNE (49th Amendment); the maximum levels per product category in the current IFRA Standard are authoritative.

Physico-Chemical Properties

FAQ

What is Sylvamber™?
A woody-amber material by dsm-firmenich with an intense, warm woody note between cedarwood and amber – according to the manufacturer's data a reaction mass of positional isomers of the same compound class as ISO E Super (CAS 54464-57-2 and isomers), produced by upcycling turpentine from the paper industry.

Is Sylvamber™ the same as ISO E Super?
Both belong to the same compound class and are listed under the same CAS number 54464-57-2 ("and isomers"), but they are independent branded qualities from different manufacturers, each with its own isomer distribution and production route. ISO E Super is available here in the shop.

How should I dose Sylvamber™?
In fine fragrance on average 6.1%, maximum 19.7%. According to perfumer Clement Gavarry, it works as a foundation "at any percentage".

Are there IFRA restrictions?
Yes. The IFRA Restriction Standard for OTNE (49th Amendment) applies. The maximum levels per product category in the current IFRA Standard are authoritative.

Is Sylvamber™ hazardous to the environment?
According to the manufacturer's data, yes: hazardous to the aquatic environment, chronic, category 2 (H411 – toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects). At the same time, the manufacturer states partial biodegradability. Do not pour residues down the drain.

Hazard Statements (CLP Labeling)

Important Notice

This product is a perfumery raw material intended exclusively for fragrance development, creative experimentation, education, and the study of perfumery materials.

It is not a finished cosmetic product.

Please use responsibly.