Symrise has appointed Brenntag Specialties CEO Michael Friede to lead its Scent & Care segment that generates annual sales of around €2 billion ($2.31 billion).
As Scent & Care president, Friede will head up the German firm’s activities in cosmetic ingredients, fragrance applications and aroma molecules.
He succeeds Dr. Jean-Yves Parisot, who was managing Scent & Care on an interim basis following the departure of Jörn Andreas in September 2024.
Prior to Brenntag, Friede worked for Akzo Nobel, Covestro and Bayer.
Born in 1980, he grew up in the county of Holzminden in southern Lower Saxony, studied in Madrid, Toronto, Essen, Oxford and London and holds both a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
“We are very pleased to announce that Michael Friede will join us as a member of the Executive Board,” said Michael König, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Symrise.
“He brings many years of broad market knowledge and a high level of industry-specific expertise in various growth areas,” he added.
“Additionally, he has proven international experience, making him an excellent choice for Symrise as a fast-growing, globally operating company."
The move comes as Symrise announced first-half 2025 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (EBITDA) of €554 million, a 4.5% increase on the same period last year.
The Scent & Care segment achieved EBITDA of €190m, an increase of €8 million.
Symrise said its Cosmetic Ingredients division experienced lower sales due to high prior-year comparables in sun protection filters.
