118. Smells Like Biotech Spirit: Bob Weinstein on the Flavors & Fragrances Industry’s Bio-Revolution

Feb 28, 2025

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Flavors, fragrances, and the science behind what makes things smell and taste amazing—Karl and Erum explore this world with Bob Weinstein, a legend in the industry who has spent decades at Firmenich, Robertet, and now Bedoukian Research. Bob takes them on a journey from the early days of animal-derived scents (yes, civet was a thing) to the rise of biotech-powered ingredients that are shaping the future of sustainable fragrance and flavor. They get into the art and science of scent, the challenges of scaling biomanufacturing, and why companies, much like organisms, have to evolve to survive. Plus, Erum shares her experience making her own perfume—though Bob has some thoughts on her ingredient choices.

Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters:

00:00:00 – Ice, Snow, and a Birthday Glow
00:00:48 – Cabin Life and Petrochemicals at Work
00:02:37 – Brooklyn: Where Trivia Meets Fungi
00:04:38 – Fermentation Festival and the Science of Flavor
00:06:20 – Yeast, Beer, and Biotech's Brewing Future
00:07:00 – 90s Software Hype vs. Biotech’s Moment
00:10:56 – Melanin, Gamma Rays, and Seeds for Space
00:12:27 – Unilever Shake-Up and What It Means for Biotech
00:13:44 – Robert Weinstein: The Science and Business of Scent
00:31:12 – Government, Industry, and the Fight for Innovation
00:32:00 – The Future of Plant-Based Ingredients
00:32:58 – How Legacy Companies Stay Relevant
00:35:25 – Surviving Economic Cycles in Business
00:36:49 – Bedoukian Research and the Next Chapter
00:39:32 – The Science of Smell: Fragrance, Musk, and Civet
00:45:15 – The Price of Smell: Why Some Scents Cost a Fortune
00:51:38 – Biotech Founders, Here’s What You Need to Know
00:54:30 – Wrapping Up: Leadership, People, and Consumer Delight

Links and Resources:

Topics Covered:

Biotech beauty, flavors and fragrances, corporate leadership, perfume, taste, bioengineering

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Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com

Music by: Nihilore

Production by: Amplafy Media