Amber Core (1-(2-tert-Butylcyclohexyl)oxybutan-2-ol, also known as Ambercore, Amber butanol, CAS: 139504-68-0) is a synthetic fragrance ingredient belonging to the woody-amber olfactory family. Developed by Kao Chemicals — one of the largest chemical companies in Europe, famous as the manufacturer of Ambroxan — this compound has become a popular and economical woody amber note in modern perfumery. With the molecular formula C₁₄H₂₈O₂ and a molecular weight of 228.38 g/mol, it appears as a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a very soft, delicate woody amber note described as possessing a natural richness, powdery nuances, and a warm, slightly creamy balsamic character reminiscent of ambergris and cedarwood with floral undertones.
The scent profile is often characterized as a very soft, airy woody amber — similar to cedramber — with a subtle sweetness and natural subtlety. The fragrance is further described as having Japanese cypress-like fresh woody notes with long-term persistence of odor. As a fragrance ingredient, Amber Core is classified as a mid/base note, offering excellent longevity and substantivity in various formulations.
Amber Core excellently harmonizes with many materials. It blends well with delicate compositions such as Citrus and Muguet, as well as Oriental, Fougère, and Chypre fragrance families. One of its most notable features is its high recommended usage level, which can be up to 50% of a fragrance formula, allowing it to serve effectively both as a supporting fixative for expensive ingredients like Ambroxan or as a standalone amber base. Market demand is closely linked to the global expansion of the fine fragrance, personal care, and home fragrance industries, driven by the enduring popularity of woody-amber and oriental scent profiles. Based on its chemical characteristics and industrial chain position, this article systematically analyzes international market dynamics of Amber Core, focusing on core application scenarios, competitive landscape, regional differences, regulatory trends, and future outlook, providing strategic references for industry participants.
Core Application Fields and Demand
Market demand for Amber Core is concentrated in three major sectors: fine fragrances and perfumery (≈40-45% of global consumption), personal care and cosmetics (≈25-30%), and soaps, detergents and household products (≈20-25%), with additional demand from candles and home fragrance applications (≈5-10%).
In the fine fragrances and perfumery sector, Amber Core is valued as a versatile woody-amber base note and fixative. Its soft, airy character makes it useful for building out the structure of woody and woody amber accords. It is widely used in fine fragrances, colognes, and perfumery to build woody, amber, and oriental accords. The compound’s ability to provide excellent olfactory longevity and stability in various formulations makes it a cost-effective yet high-quality fixation agent in the flavor and fragrance industry. It is particularly valued for its ability to bring a “natural spirit” to all fragrances.
In the personal care and cosmetics sector, Amber Core is incorporated into a wide range of products, including body lotions, shampoos, soaps, and cosmetics. Its stability in various media and its non-discoloring properties make it suitable for both rinse-off and leave-on applications. The compound’s soft, delicate woody amber character enhances the sensory experience of beauty products, providing a warm, sophisticated background note.
In the soaps, detergents and household products sector, Amber Core is extensively used in laundry detergents, household cleaners, and fabric softeners. It demonstrates good stability in soap, detergent, shampoo, and other media, and does not cause discoloration. Its ability to provide a long-lasting, sophisticated woody-amber scent that survives the wash cycle is highly valued by formulators in the home care industry.
In the candles and home fragrance sector, Amber Core is used in scented candles and home fragrance products, where its warm, creamy balsamic character adds depth and sophistication to the ambient scent experience.
Major Market Participants
The global supply system for Amber Core follows a pattern of specialized fragrance ingredient manufacturers and chemical companies, with production concentrated in Europe, Asia, and North America. The compound is manufactured by Kao Chemicals, one of the largest chemical companies in Europe. As a Kao product, Amber Core benefits from the company’s extensive expertise in fragrance chemistry and its established position in the global fragrance ingredient market.
The compound is generally supplied as a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a purity of at least 98% (GLC). Key physical properties include a refractive index (20°C) of 1.461–1.471, a relative density (20°C) of 0.931–0.941, and a flash point of 144°C. It is typically packaged in 180 kg drums. In addition to the original Kao product, the compound is available from various distributors and resellers worldwide, including The Fragrance Foundry (UK), Ventos, and CymitQuimica.
Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) has established a reliable, quality-controlled supply chain for high-purity Amber Core (1-(2-tert-Butylcyclohexyl)oxybutan-2-ol, CAS 139504-68-0). Our product is manufactured under strict quality management, achieving consistent purity with low impurity profiles, fully complying with global fragrance, personal care, and household product standards. It is an ideal woody-amber building block for fine fragrances, cosmetic formulations, soap and detergent applications, and home fragrance products. XinChem offers custom synthesis and contract manufacturing of this high-purity Amber Core to meet specific client needs.
Regional Market Dynamics
Global demand for Amber Core shows regional differentiation: “Europe dominates production and high-purity consumption, Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing market for fragrance ingredients, and North America leads in personal care and home fragrance applications.”
Europe is the primary production and consumption region for Amber Core, driven by Kao Chemicals’ European manufacturing presence and the highest concentration of fine fragrance houses and perfumery expertise. European customers require stringent quality standards, including purity ≥98%, full traceability, compliance with IFRA and EU cosmetics regulations, and full impurity profiling.
Asia-Pacific, particularly China, Japan, South Korea, and India, is the fastest-growing region for fragrance ingredients. Chinese manufacturers, including XinChem, offer competitive pricing at scales ranging from research quantities to industrial batches, serving both domestic demand for fragrance intermediates and exports to global markets. Japan, as the home of Kao Corporation, maintains a strong position in the regional supply chain.
North America (United States and Canada) accounts for a significant share of high-purity R&D and commercial consumption, driven by large personal care, household product, and fine fragrance markets. Customer requirements in these regions are stringent: purity ≥98%, full traceability, compliance with IFRA and FDA regulations, and full impurity profiling.
Regulatory and Environmental Considerations
Amber Core (CAS 139504-68-0) is subject to regulatory oversight in major economies, particularly when intended for fragrance, cosmetic, and personal care applications. The compound is listed in the IFRA Standards library under CAS 139504-68-0. The IFRA 51st Amendment (2023) sets a maximum concentration limit for Category 4 (fine fragrances) at 1.3000%. Other restrictions may apply beyond IFRA guidelines. The compound is also included in the list of ingredients subject to the Notification of the 51st Amendment to the IFRA Standards.
Amber Core is TSCA Registered, listed on ELINCS (412-300-2) and CEPA DSL. The compound is classified as N – Dangerous for the environment with risk codes 51/53 — Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. Safety Description: 61 — Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions / safety data sheets. Personal protective equipment (PPE) — including chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, and appropriate protective clothing — is recommended during handling. Avoid inhaling vapors or mist and ensure a well-ventilated working environment. The compound should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place, away from fire and oxidizing agents.
In the European Union, Amber Core is registered under REACH (ELINCS 412-300-2); importers and manufacturers must provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS). In the United States, the compound is regulated under TSCA. In China, the compound is listed in the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances (IECSC) and requires safety production licenses for manufacturing facilities.
Future Outlook
The market outlook for Amber Core is tied to three core drivers: (1) sustained growth in global demand for woody-amber and oriental fragrance profiles in fine fragrances, personal care, and home fragrance products; (2) the compound’s versatility as both a standalone amber base and a cost-effective fixative for premium ingredients like Ambroxan; and (3) the increasing consumer preference for long-lasting, sophisticated fragrance experiences in everyday products. The compound’s high recommended usage level (up to 50%) and excellent stability in various media position it well for continued growth across multiple application sectors.
Challenges include: increasing regulatory scrutiny on fragrance ingredients, with IFRA restrictions (1.3% maximum for Category 4) limiting usage levels in fine fragrances; competition from alternative woody-amber materials such as cedramber and other synthetic amber compounds; and environmental considerations regarding aquatic toxicity. Enterprises should focus on securing high-purity (≥98%) production capabilities, maintaining rigorous impurity documentation for global regulatory filings, ensuring compliance with IFRA restrictions, and building long-term supply partnerships with fragrance houses, personal care manufacturers, and household product developers.
Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem)
As a world-leading supplier of fragrance ingredients, aroma chemicals, and specialty intermediates, Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) has always focused on the innovative needs of the fragrance, personal care, and household product industries. Relying on core advantages in sourcing, quality assurance, and global logistics, we provide high-quality Amber Core (1-(2-tert-Butylcyclohexyl)oxybutan-2-ol, CAS 139504-68-0) to global customers. Our product is manufactured under strict quality management, achieving consistent specifications for fragrance, cosmetic, and industrial grades. Fully compliant with IFRA and international quality standards, it is an ideal woody-amber building block for fine fragrances, cosmetic formulations, soap and detergent applications, and home fragrance products.
1. Technical Advantages
High Purity & Consistency: Our Amber Core achieves purity levels of ≥98% (verified by GLC analysis), supplied as a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid, molecular weight 228.38 g/mol, refractive index (20°C) 1.461-1.471, relative density (20°C) 0.931-0.941, flash point 144°C.
Low Impurity Profile: Strict control of residual solvents, heavy metals, and related substances ensures high performance for fragrance, personal care, and household applications.
Fragrance & Cosmetic Grade Quality: The compound is tested for compliance with IFRA and EU cosmetics regulations, with full traceability to primary analytical standards.
Batch-to-Batch Uniformity: Rigorous analytical testing (GLC, GC-MS, refractive index, density) guarantees a consistent olfactory profile and reproducible quality across all production lots.
2. Product Advantages
Versatile Woody-Amber Base Note: Directly used in fine fragrances (woody, amber, and oriental accords), personal care products (body lotions, shampoos, soaps), household products (laundry detergents, cleaners), and home fragrance (candles).
Soft, Delicate Woody Amber Profile: Delivers a warm, slightly creamy balsamic character with natural richness, powdery nuances, and ambergris-cedarwood notes with floral undertones.
High Usage Level: Can be used up to 50% of a fragrance formula, serving effectively as both a fixative for premium ingredients and a standalone amber base.
Flexible Packaging: 1kg, 5kg, 25kg, and 180kg drums; custom packaging for R&D and industrial orders.
Reliable Supply Chain: Annual capacity in the multi-ton range, with dedicated temperature-controlled warehousing (cool, dry, light-protected, sealed containers) and just-in-time delivery capabilities.
3. Application Fields
- Fine Fragrances & Perfumery: Base note and fixative for woody, amber, and oriental compositions; blends well with Citrus, Muguet, Oriental, Fougère, and Chypre.
- Personal Care & Cosmetics: Fragrance component for body lotions, shampoos, soaps, and cosmetic formulations.
- Soaps & Detergents: High-performance fragrance ingredient for laundry detergents, household cleaners, and fabric softeners.
- Home Fragrance: Scented candles and home fragrance products.
- Flavor & Fragrance Fixative: Cost-effective fixation agent providing excellent olfactory longevity and stability.
4. Service Support
Our technical team provides olfactory profiling guidance, stability testing recommendations, IFRA compliance documentation, and regulatory support (REACH, TSCA). We offer custom packaging and just-in-time delivery. XinChem offers custom synthesis and contract manufacturing to meet specific client needs.
5. Why Choose XinChem
- Professionalism: 20+ years in the chemical and fragrance ingredient industry.
- Flexibility: Tailored to customer purity, packaging, and quality specifications.
- Cost-effectiveness: High quality at competitive prices.
Contact us now to start cooperation!
Website: www.xinchem.com
Email: sales1@xinchem.com
WhatsApp: +86 18049800532
Post time: Jul-12-2026