Can you briefly tell us about the aroma and fragrances department within the group?
At OQEMA F&F, we connect creativity with expertise, bringing together exceptional ingredients, local market knowledge, and a global network of trusted partners. More than a distributor, we are a collaborative partner, helping customers transform ideas into sensory experiences that inspire and endure.
Rooted in expertise and driven by curiosity, we continuously expand our portfolio and capabilities to meet the evolving needs of the flavour and fragrance industry. Because innovation is not just about what›s next, it›s about creating meaningful experiences that resonate, connect, and leave a lasting impression. We have strong relationships with manufacturers around the world and are constantly exploring new avenues to discover unique and exciting products. With strategic global stock holding points, we are able to accommodate our customers “just in time” requirements and grow our service scope to support our global landscape.
From sourcing and product development to customised solutions and reliable logistics, we support every step of the journey with one promise: Consistency in Every Note.
How do you select your suppliers for raw materials?
We have been working with some of our existing suppliers for over two decades and together we have grown our product offerings in response to the market’s needs, always looking at innovation and development to match with our customers’ needs.
At OQEMA Flavour & Fragrance, sustainability is part of the journey behind every ingredient. From the way natural raw materials are grown and sourced to how they are produced, transported and delivered, we work with our partners to create more responsible and resilient supply chains. Driven by purpose and anchored in strong ethics, compliance and governance, we’re on a mission to support our partners to reach their environmental targets on the way to a net zero environment.
By bringing together environmental stewardship, ethical partnerships, innovation, traceability and strong governance, we aim to create lasting value for people, planet and business while delivering the quality, performance and reliability our customers expect. This shows in the case with our Oud business.
We are committed to maintaining transparency throughout our supply chains. We invite companies with an interest in Oud to connect with us, explore the exceptional grades we offer, and learn more about our commitment to ethical sourcing, responsible stewardship, and the protection of biodiversity.
What are the Origins of the Oud oil that you offer?
Our Oud Oil is sourced from Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and India regions with a long heritage of producing one of perfumery’s most prized natural materials.
Oud originates from Aquilaria trees. The distinctive aromatic resin develops within the wood as part of the tree’s natural defence response. Through carefully controlled and strategic inoculation methods, this process can be encouraged to stimulate resin formation and create the rich, complex aromatic profile for which Oud is renowned.
Importantly, we are working with an Oud producer whose approach means the trees do not need to be harvested to obtain the Oud. Strategic inoculation and extraction methods help to increase both the productive lifespan and yield of the trees, allowing plantations to continue to grow, develop and mature. This creates a more sustainable approach to Oud production while supporting a valuable natural resource for the future.
The resulting resinous material is carefully collected and processed to obtain the precious Oud Oil, capturing an extraordinarily complex fragrance profile. And that complexity is exactly what makes our Oud so special.
In fine fragrance, Oud Oil brings an animalic, mysterious character underpinned by powerful woody notes, adding exceptional depth and dimension to a composition. Yet no two batches are ever quite the same. Different plantations can produce noticeably different sensory characteristics, while factors including weather, soil conditions, tree maturity and plantation management all influence the final aromatic profile. This natural variability means Oud cannot simply be predicted or replicated. Each batch tells the story of where and how it was grown, offering perfumers an ingredient with genuine individuality and character.
THE FUTURE OF OUD
Our new Aromaspace laboratories are undertaking a dedicated project to better understand Oud at a molecular level, analysing its complex chemistry and how its sensory profile evolves over time. Of particular interest is the remarkable way Oud Oil matures and develops with age – much like a fine wine, becoming increasingly nuanced and complex.
By understanding what drives these changes, and how factors such as origin, composition and ageing influence the final olfactive profile, we aim to unlock new insights into this extraordinary natural material and explore its potential for the next generation of fine fragrance innovation.
At OQEMA, our Oud Oil range brings together carefully selected origins and distinctive sensory profiles, giving fine fragrance creators access to a natural material that is not only captivatingly complex, but produced with the long-term future of the plantations in mind.
What are the main markets for the Oud (country and kind of products)?
OQEMA currently supplies Oud Oil across the USA and EMEA, primarily to perfume houses, cosmetic manufacturers and wellness brands. While fine fragrance remains an important market, the appeal of Oud is increasingly extending into a wider range of personal care and lifestyle applications. Our customers use Oud Oil to create distinctive perfumes, body oils, shower gels, body sprays, soaps and other fragranced cosmetic products, where its rich, woody and complex character adds depth and a sense of luxury.
We are also actively exploring new and emerging markets where demand for Oud-inspired fragrances is growing. In particular, we see exciting opportunities across Singapore, China and Malaysia, as consumers increasingly embrace the distinctive character of Oud in both fine fragrance and personal care.
This growing international interest reflects Oud’s evolution from a traditionally regional fragrance material into a globally recognised and highly desirable fragrance ingredient.
Besides Oud, we offer complimenting products such as Myrrh, Olibanum, Tonka and Benzoin.
What are the main markets for the Oud (country and kind of products)?
We are also exploring the future potential of Oud Oil through natural product innovation, biotransformation and AI-driven research – areas in which OQEMA is already actively developing its capabilities.