Hivernal Neo ®

HIVERNAL NEO Technical Ingredient Overview

• 🏭 Manufacturer — Firmenich (proprietary molecule, formerly captive for 12 years)

• 🔎 Chemical Name — 1H-Indene-ar-propanal, 2,3-dihydro-1,1-dimethyl-

• 🧪 Synonyms — Hivernal Neo; proprietary designation

• 📂 CAS Number — 300371-33-9

• 📘 FEMA Number — Not assigned (perfumery use only)

• ⚖️ Molecular Weight — 202 g/mol

• 📝 Odor Type — Aldehydic-Muguet (Heart/Base note)

• 📈 Odor Strength — Extremely powerful and diffusive; requires dilution before use

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile — Powerful aldehydic-muguet with cold, mineral, watery facets; evokes sun-dried laundry and crisp winter air; green nuances

• ⚗️ Uses — Muguet accords, long-lasting freshness effects, clean fabric signatures, aldehydic-floral compositions

• 🧴 Appearance — Liquid (clear)

What is Hivernal Neo?

Hivernal Neo is an advanced synthetic perfumery material belonging to the indane family of aldehydes, specifically designed to deliver powerful aldehydic-muguet character with exceptional longevity. Developed by Firmenich through green synthesis methodology, this molecule represents a modern evolution in lily-of-the-valley odorants, offering distinctive cold and mineral facets not found in classical muguet materials like hydroxycitronellal or Lilial (Firmenich Technical Literature, 2018).

The compound is partially biodegradable and produced via environmentally conscious synthetic routes, earning EcoIngredient Compass certification. Its indane-based structure provides unique olfactory properties combining aldehydic brightness with watery-green freshness, creating what perfumers describe as a "sun-dried laundry" signature (DSM-Firmenich, 2024).

Historical Background

Hivernal Neo was discovered in 1994 by Béat Winter at Firmenich, earning its name from the discoverer's surname ("Hivernal" meaning "wintry" in French, reflecting its cold, fresh character). The molecule was kept as a Firmenich captive material for approximately 12 years before its commercial release around 2018. During its captive period, the molecule was available exclusively to Firmenich's internal perfumery teams, allowing extensive evaluation in commercial fragrances before broader market introduction. This strategy—common for high-value synthetic discoveries—ensured thorough performance data and protected competitive advantage during the material's most innovative phase.

The material was unveiled at the World Perfumery Congress 2018, where Firmenich positioned it as a potential bestseller alongside established floral materials such as Mayol, Florol, and Lilyflore. The release coincided with Firmenich's broader initiatives in green chemistry and sustainable perfumery ingredients (Fragrantica, 2018).

Patent protection for the Hivernal family was established under EP0 685 444 B1 (published May 31, 1995) by Winter & Blanc for Firmenich SA. The Hivernal trademark has been protected since October 3, 2001 (brand N°766403).

Olfactory Profile

• Scent Family: Aldehydic-Floral (Muguet subcategory)

• Main Descriptors: Aldehydic, muguet (lily-of-the-valley), mineral, watery, cold, clean, fresh, green, sun-dried laundry, bright

• Intensity: Extremely powerful and diffusive; described as revolutionary in strength among muguet materials

• Tenacity: Exceptional longevity—lasts 3 weeks on smelling strip; substantially longer than classical muguet aldehydes

• Volatility: Heart to base note character; unusual combination of aldehydic brightness with base note substantivity

Hivernal Neo delivers a distinctive olfactory signature that perfumers describe as evoking crisp winter air and sun-dried fabrics. Unlike traditional muguet materials that emphasize sweet floral aspects, Hivernal Neo brings cold, mineral, and watery facets that create ultra-clean freshness. The green nuances add natural complexity, while the aldehydic character provides radiance and diffusion.

Applications in Fine Fragrance

Hivernal Neo enhances muguet accords and creates long-lasting fresh effects across fragrance categories. Its extraordinary diffusion and tenacity make it particularly valuable for creating clean, bright signatures in fine fragrance (0.03-0.2% typical usage). The material's unique "sun-dried laundry" effect has found applications in fabric-inspired fragrances and clean-fresh compositions.

The molecule performs well in combination with other floral materials, particularly in lily-of-the-valley and aldehydic-floral constructions. Its cold mineral aspects provide contrast to warmer floral notes, creating dynamic compositions with enhanced brightness.

Performance in Formula

Due to extreme potency, Hivernal Neo requires dilution to 1% or lower concentrations before use in formulations. Average recommended concentrations:

• Fine Fragrance: 0.03-0.2%

• Shampoo: 0.09-0.5%

• Shower Gel: 0.04-0.2%

Log P (measured): 3.44; Flash Point: >100°C. The material shows excellent substantivity in both wet and dry conditions, with notable "bloom" effects in rinse-off applications. Burning effectiveness is fair in candle applications. The molecule demonstrates top, heart, and base note performance depending on concentration and surrounding materials—unusual versatility for a single ingredient.

Industrial & Technical Uses

Hivernal Neo is recommended for fine fragrance, shampoo, shower gel, and soap applications. Its clean, fresh signature makes it particularly suitable for fabric care and personal cleansing products where sun-dried laundry effects are desired. The material's partial biodegradability and green synthesis credentials support sustainability claims in product positioning.

The molecule has gained recognition in the technical perfumery community as a next-generation muguet material offering performance advantages over materials like Lilial (now restricted) and classical hydroxycitronellal (a fragrance allergen).

Regulatory & Safety Overview

• IFRA Status: Restricted under IFRA Amendment 51 - Category 4 limit: 1.0% in finished product

• EU Cosmetics Regulation: Compliant with EU Regulation 1223/2009; not classified as a fragrance allergen

• FEMA Status: Not assigned; not intended for flavor applications

• Certifications: EcoIngredient Compass certified, Halal certified, Kosher certified

• Toxicology: No known allergens; manufactured according to Firmenich safety standards

Note: The material can contain alpha-tocopherol traces as antioxidant to prevent instability.

References

• DSM-Firmenich. (2024). HIVERNAL NEO technical data sheet. Retrieved from company technical documentation.

• Firmenich SA. (1995). Patent EP0 685 444 B1: Fragrance compounds (Winter, B., & Blanc, P.-A., inventors). European Patent Office.

• Firmenich SA. (2018). HIVERNAL NEO 948605 olfactive description [Marketing sheet]. Perfumery division technical literature.

• Fragrantica. (2018). World Perfumery Congress 2018: New molecules & technologies. Retrieved from https://www.fragrantica.com/news/World-Perfumery-Congress-2018-New-Molecules-Technologies-10981.html