Ambrettolide (CAS: 28645-51-4) is a premium macrocyclic musk lactone belonging to the family of 17-membered ring macrocyclic lactones. Its molecular formula is C₁₆H₂₈O₂ with a molecular weight of 252.39 g/mol, and it presents as a colorless to pale yellow clear liquid with a typical purity of 98.0–99.9%. Chemically, ambrettolide is designated as (Z)-7-Hexadecen-16-olide or (Z)-oxacycloheptadec-8-en-2-one.
This fragrance ingredient is derived from natural plant sources — particularly the seeds of the ambrette plant (Abelmoschus moschatus) — and is also produced synthetically at commercial scale via multi-step processes from natural precursors such as aleuritic acid. Representing one of the most sophisticated and sought-after musk aroma chemicals available today, ambrettolide occupies a unique position at the intersection of luxury perfumery, sustainable ingredient sourcing, and regulatory compliance.
Ambrettolide is prized for its exceptionally refined olfactory profile: intensely powerful substantive musk odor with depth and richness, nuanced with floral sweetness, subtle fruity pear undertones, woody-ambery facets, creamy hints, and delicate leather and tobacco nuances. Unlike many synthetic musks that impart one-dimensional heaviness or powdery notes, ambrettolide‘s unique musky character is characterized by its luminous diffusion and its ability to impart a natural, botanical muskiness to fine fragrances. It functions as an outstanding fixative and highly substantive ingredient, exalting and harmonizing top notes while contributing exceptional longevity in base accords.
The versatile macrocyclic lactone finds extensive use across multiple high-value industrial sectors: it enhances fine fragrances (allowing for compositions with an elegant, high-grade musk impression); it is a key ingredient in premium cosmetics and personal care products (creams, lotions, makeup, hair care); it functions as a tobacco flavor modifier (adding musk, woody, and sweet notes, improving the richness of smoke quality); it is used in high-end home care products such as luxury fabric conditioners and laundry detergents; as a food-grade flavoring, it is FEMA GRAS listed and used as a flavoring agent (providing musky, animalic, and ambery facets for beverages, confectionery, and baked goods); and it is employed as a fragrance fixative in perfumery to enhance stability and longevity.
The global market for macrocyclic musks, including ambrettolide, is driven by several powerful trends. The global fragrance market was valued at approximately USD 50 billion in 2024, with musks accounting for over 15% of fragrance ingredients demand. Growing consumer preference for premium personal care products, rising demand for natural and sustainable ingredients, increased purchasing power for luxury fragrances in emerging economies, and the expansion of middle‑class populations have all contributed to sustained demand for high‑quality macrocyclic musks. Additionally, the global fabric care market is projected to reach USD 210 billion by 2027, where ambrettolide‘s ability to provide substantivity to laundry products has driven strong adoption in premium fabric conditioners and scent boosters.
While overall market size estimates vary by scope, various research reports indicate the global ambrettolide market is valued at between USD 48 million and USD 119 million in 2024, with projected growth reaching USD 82–145 million by 2031‑2033, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 2.9–6.1%. In China alone, the fragrance-grade macrocyclic lactone market reached RMB 97 million in 2025, with a projected CAGR of 6.31% through 2032. Market segmentation by application spans fine fragrances (the largest segment), personal care and cosmetics, home care products, food and beverages, toiletries, household care, and pharmaceuticals.
Major Market Participants
The global supply system for ambrettolide follows a pattern of specialty aroma chemical manufacturers and multinational flavor & fragrance corporations dominating premium production. The flavor and fragrance sector remains highly consolidated, with the top six players — including Givaudan, International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), dsm‑firmenich, Symrise, Mane, and Takasago — holding over 70% global market share. These multinational corporations continue to invest heavily in specialty aroma chemicals like ambrettolide to maintain their premium product portfolios.
Key international producers and distributors of ambrettolide include Symrise, Givaudan, IFF, dsm‑firmenich, Takasago International, and Vigon International. In addition, specialized manufacturers such as Chemshel (India) have established world class plants with capacities of 24–30 metric tonnes per annum, leveraging India‘s position as the sole commercial supplier of aleuritic acid — the principal raw material for ambrettolide synthesis. Other notable Asian manufacturers include Soda Aromatic, Aroma Chemical Services International, Saraogi Shellac Group, Chemical Bull Pvt. Ltd., Snowco, and Shanghai Udchem Technology.
Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) has established a reliable supply chain for high‑purity Ambrettolide (CAS 28645‑51‑4). Our product meets rigorous specifications — purity ≥98‑99%, colorless to pale yellow clear liquid, refractive index 1.477–1.481 (20°C), and a warm, musky odor profile with fruity berry nuance and amber shades — fully complying with global fragrance, cosmetics, and food flavoring standards.
Regional Market Dynamics
Global demand for ambrettolide shows distinct regional differentiation: “Europe commands the largest share, accounting for an estimated 40% of global market revenue in 2024, driven by the region’s world‑leading luxury perfumery industry and stringent regulatory frameworks that favor biodegradable macrocyclic musks over persistent synthetic alternatives; Asia‑Pacific is projected to register the highest CAGR, driven by a rapidly expanding middle class, premiumization of personal care products, and rising domestic fragrance consumption in China and India; North America follows as a mature but significant market, supported by strong demand for natural musks in clean‑beauty formulations and the home care sector; Latin America and Middle East & Africa are emerging growth regions, with increasing demand for international fragrance brands and expanding personal care manufacturing.”
Europe’s regulatory leadership — specifically the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) sustained pressure on polycyclic and nitro‑musks and the International Fragrance Association‘s (IFRA) tightening of permitted concentrations for alternative macrocyclics — has progressively narrowed the field of viable musk candidates, elevating ambrettolide’s strategic value far beyond what its modest volume would suggest. Consumers’ increasing preference for clean, biodegradable, and non‑persistent fragrance ingredients further drives demand in this region.
Asia‑Pacific is the fastest‑growing market. China is both a significant consumer and an emerging manufacturing hub for macrocyclic musks, while India benefits from its position as the primary source of aleuritic acid, the key raw material for ambrettolide synthesis. Rising domestic fragrance consumption across China, India, Japan, and South Korea — supported by the expansion of luxury retail and e‑commerce channels — supports continued growth. Southeast Asian countries are also showing increased demand for premium personal care and home fragrance products.
Regulatory and Environmental Considerations
Ambrettolide (CAS 28645‑51‑4) is classified as a macrocyclic musk that is readily biodegradable under OECD test guidelines, with no anticipated bioaccumulation potential and low dermal toxicity in standard toxicological studies. It is not classified as a hazardous substance under EU Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (CLP) and is not considered a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) in the ECHA database — a key distinction that positions it as a “safe harbor” musk ingredient for brands navigating increasingly complex global ingredient regulations.
In the European Union, ambrettolide is registered under REACH, and suppliers must provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS). It is approved for use in fine fragrances with best practice usage levels at ≤5% in the fragrance concentrate. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) imposes no restriction for category 4 (fine fragrances), with average use at 0.5% in a perfume compound. It possesses very good to good stability and performance in leave‑on and rinse‑off applications including fine fragrances, AP deodorants, shampoos, creams, and soaps, exhibiting medium base notes with substantivity maintained through multiple wash cycles in laundry care products.
In the United States, ambrettolide is TSCA listed and is not listed on the California Proposition 65 list. It may be used in flavor and fragrance compounds according to legal and IFRA or FEMA GRAS/FDA guidelines. For food applications, ambrettolide is FEMA GRAS and may be used as a flavoring agent in food products, beverages, and confectionery.
In China, ambrettolide is permitted for use in cosmetics and personal care products under the Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015 Edition). As a food flavoring ingredient, imported formulations must contain only NHC (National Health Commission of China) approved food additives, including flavorings. The compound’s HS customs codes facilitate international trade.
Environmentally, ambrettolide exhibits favorable biodegradability and low aquatic toxicity. Its macrocyclic lactone structure contrasts favorably with persistent polycyclic musks that have faced regulatory phase‑outs. Green chemistry efforts focus on improving manufacturing yields from aleuritic acid (typically below 60% overall) and developing bio‑catalytic and fermentation‑based production routes to reduce environmental footprint.
Future Outlook
The market outlook for ambrettolide is tied to four core drivers: (1) sustained growth in global luxury fragrance consumption, where macrocyclic musks command premium pricing; (2) increasing adoption of Nature‑identical macrocyclic musks in “clean beauty” and sustainable ingredient formulations; (3) regulatory pressure on synthetic musks (nitro‑musks, polycyclic musks) accelerating substitution with biodegradable alternatives; and (4) rising application in home care products (fabric softeners, scent boosters) where substantivity across multiple wash cycles is valued. The global macrocyclic musk market is projected to grow at CAGRs of 5‑7% over the next five years, with natural and nature‑identical segments outperforming synthetic musks.
Ambrettolide‘s unique status as a macrocyclic lactone with strong biodegradability, absence of SVHC flags, exceptional olfactory profile, and outstanding fixative properties positions it for continued growth. Challenges include: high production costs associated with multi‑step synthesis (affecting price competitiveness against synthetic musks), limited raw material supply (aleuritic acid derived from natural sources), and competition from other macrocyclic musks (habanolide, ethylene brassylate) in certain applications. Enterprises should focus on securing reliable supply chains, offering high‑purity (>99%) and natural‑identical grades for premium fragrance customers, and building long‑term relationships with fragrance houses, cosmetics manufacturers, and home care brands.
Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem)
As a world‑leading supplier of aroma chemicals and fine chemical intermediates, XinChem has always focused on the innovative needs of the fragrance, cosmetics, and personal care industries. Relying on core advantages in sourcing, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance, we provide high‑quality Ambrettolide (CAS 28645‑51‑4) to global customers.
1. Technical Advantages
- High Purity: Our ambrettolide achieves purity ≥98‑99% (GC), with colorless to pale yellow clear liquid appearance, low color (APHA ≤50), low moisture, and a warm, musky olfactory profile with fruity berry nuance and amber shades.
- Consistent Quality: Batch‑to‑batch uniformity maintained through rigorous analytical testing, including GC, refractive index, and odor evaluation panel.
- Regulatory Compliance: Fully IFRA compliant for fine fragrances (Category 4), FEMA GRAS listed for food flavoring applications, and TSCA certified.
2. Product Advantages
- Outstanding Fixative & Substantivity Properties: Enhances fragrance longevity and projection in perfumery and personal care products. Acts as an exalting agent and top‑note fixative.
- Natural Musk Character: Delivers the distinguished ambrette seed-like musk character — warm, floral, fruity, with subtle tobacco/woody nuances — sought after in luxury perfumery.
- Convenient, Versatile Form: Supplied as a ready‑to‑use liquid (at room temperature) for direct blending. Fully compatible with all fragrance families and cosmetic bases.
- Biodegradable & Safe: Not classified as a hazardous substance, not listed on CA Prop. 65, and readily biodegradable under OECD guidelines.
- Flexible Packaging: 1kg, 5kg, 25kg, 50kg HDPE drums/pails; 180kg galvanized steel drums; 3kg tri‑wall plasticized liners; and custom packaging for laboratory (100g, 500g) and bulk industrial (1000 kg IBC totes) requirements.
- Reliable Supply Chain: Annual volume allocation in the tens of metric tonnes, with dedicated temperature‑controlled warehousing and just‑in‑time delivery capabilities.
3. Application Fields
- Fine Fragrances: Designer perfumes, niche fragrances, luxury colognes. Role: Fixative, substantivity enhancer, musk‑base modifier.
- Personal Care & Cosmetics: Lotions, creams, facial cleansers, shampoos, conditioners, AP deodorants, soaps, BB creams. Role: Fragrance longevity, sensory enhancement.
- Tobacco Flavoring: Tobacco products, pipe tobacco, vaping formulations. Role: Musk, woody, and sweet notes addition. Improves richness and complexity of smoke quality.
- Home Care Products: Luxury fabric softeners, laundry scent boosters, household cleaners, soap bases. Role: Substantive fragrance delivery across wash cycles.
- Food & Beverage Flavoring: Soft drinks, confectionery, baked goods, alcoholic beverages. Role: Flavoring agent (amber, animalic, creamy nuances). FEMA GRAS.
- Pharmaceutical & Cosmetic Intermediates: Excipients, perfuming agents for medicinal creams, and fragrance bases.
4. Service Support
Our technical team provides regulatory support (IFRA compliance, REACH, TSCA), custom packaging, and just‑in‑time delivery. We offer GC analysis and odor evaluation COAs.
5. Why Choose XinChem
- Professionalism: 20+ years in the chemical, aroma, and fine chemical intermediate industry.
- Flexibility: Tailored to customer purity and packaging requirements.
- Cost‑effectiveness: High quality at competitive wholesale prices.
Contact us now to start cooperation!
Website: www.xinchem.com
Email: sales1@xinchem.com
WhatsApp: +86 18049800532
Post time: May-12-2026