What Is Clearwood?
Clearwood is a modern aroma ingredient introduced to perfumers in 2014 after years of research at Firmenich. It is produced through a white biotechnology process that employs a carefully selected micro organism to ferment sustainably sourced sugarcane. The result of this gentle fermentation is a high-purity liquid rich in the molecule patchoulol, a key component traditionally found in patchouli oil.
Because its raw material is a plant and the transformation relies on natural fermentation rather than petrochemistry, Clearwood is classed as a naturally derived biotech material. On the bench it presents as a clear to very slightly amber liquid that pours easily and blends without effort into both oil and water-based fragrance formulations.
Since its launch Clearwood has become a go-to building block for creators looking for a cleaner alternative to patchouli oil. It appears in fine fragrances as well as haircare, body wash, home care and candle formulas. Availability is good, and thanks to efficient large-scale fermentation it is considered a competitively priced option compared with many natural extracts that offer a similar depth.
What Does Clearwood Smell Like?
Perfumers list Clearwood in the woody family. Off a blotter it opens with a gentle, polished patchouli character that feels surprisingly airy. The usual earthy bite of patchouli is toned down, leaving a smooth woody core touched by creamy amber warmth. As the minutes pass a darker wood facet emerges, giving the material satisfying depth without turning musty or damp.
In traditional fragrance structure ingredients are grouped into top, middle and base notes according to how quickly they evaporate. Clearwood behaves like a base note: it lingers for many hours and anchors lighter materials. That said, its cleanliness means you can detect it not long after application, so it bridges the middle and base seamlessly.
Projection sits in the moderate range, offering a distinct aura without overwhelming nearby noses. Longevity is excellent, often lasting well into the next day on blotter or fabric, ensuring the formula retains its woody signature for an extended period.
How & Where To Use Clearwood
Clearwood is a pleasure to handle. It pours smoothly, dissolves quickly into alcohol or oil bases and does not cling to glassware with that sticky patchouli residue many of us dread.
Perfumers reach for it when they want the depth of patchouli without the rough edges. At low traces around 0.1 % it lends a gentle creamy woodiness that rounds out floral hearts or bright citruses. Between 0.5 % and 2 % it becomes a recognisable modern patchouli note perfect for warm ambers, gourmands and new-chypre styles. Pushed toward 5 % it can act as a primary base block giving colour to musks or adding body to an otherwise minimal formula.
Because it is cleaner than natural patchouli oil it works well in fresh concepts where a dirty facet would feel out of place. It shines in shampoos, shower gels and fabric softeners where clarity and low colour are valued. In candles its volatility is just high enough to project without flooding the room, though very smoky or strongly oxidising wax blends can dull its brightness.
There are a few situations where you might bypass Clearwood. If you need the camphoraceous bite of aged patchouli or the chocolate nuance of fractionated patchouli, using the natural oil or a specialty fraction will give a more vivid result. It also offers limited help in leather accords that rely on the earthy side of patchouli to suggest animalic depth.
No elaborate prep is required. A standard 10 % ethanol dip solution works for smelling strips and formula trials. It remains liquid down to typical lab temperatures and shows good stability in pH-neutral cleaning bases. Just give the drum a gentle roll before use to ensure homogeneity after long storage.
Safety Information
While Clearwood is easy to work with certain precautions and considerations are still essential for safe handling.
- Always dilute before evaluation: Prepare a low percentage solution before smelling to avoid overwhelming the senses.
- Never smell directly from the bottle: Waft the scent from a blotter or vial instead of placing your nose over the opening.
- Work in a well-ventilated area: Adequate airflow helps prevent inhalation of concentrated vapours during weighing and blending.
- Wear gloves and safety glasses: Protective gear keeps accidental splashes off skin and eyes.
- Health considerations: Some aroma chemicals can cause irritation or allergic reactions. Seek medical guidance before working with fragrances if pregnant or breastfeeding. Brief exposure to low concentrations is generally considered safe but prolonged or high-level exposure may be harmful.
Consult the most recent Material Safety Data Sheet supplied by your distributor, keep an eye out for updates and always follow IFRA guidelines for maximum usage levels specific to your product category.
Storage And Disposal
When kept in the right conditions Clearwood usually remains within specification for around three to four years after the production date. Some labs report perfect performance even longer but the aroma is at its brightest during the first few seasons.
A fridge dedicated to scent materials is ideal because steady cool temperatures slow oxidation. If that is not available a cupboard or cabinet that stays below 20 °C and is shielded from direct sunlight will do the job. Keep the bottle away from heater vents hot windowsills and any place where wide swings in temperature occur.
Choose bottles with polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions. The soft liner forms a tight seal that keeps out oxygen better than common dropper tops which leak vapour and invite moisture. Try to store Clearwood in the smallest container that will hold the volume so the headspace is minimal and top the bottle up after each use to push air back out.
Label every container clearly with the name Clearwood the concentration if diluted and the date it was bottled. Add any hazard statements from the safety data sheet so anyone who finds the bottle later knows what they are holding.
Clearwood is readily biodegradable in standard wastewater treatment yet that does not mean you should pour unwanted stock down the drain. Small rinses from glassware can go with normal lab effluent but larger amounts or outdated inventory should be sent to a licensed chemical disposal facility or mixed with absorbent material and disposed of as flammable waste in line with local regulations. Keep the material in a sealed vessel until hand-off to avoid fumes.
Summary
Clearwood is a biotech patchouli style ingredient that offers a smooth woody amber feel without the rough earthiness of classic patchouli oil. It blends easily smells clean and creamy and hangs around long enough to anchor a perfume from the heart to the drydown.
Because of that versatility it pops up in fine fragrance shower gel candles and almost any place a soft modern wood note is wanted. The cost is friendly compared with premium naturals and the stability is strong though light and heat will still dull the scent over time so smart storage matters.
In the lab it is simply fun to play with. A trace brings polish to florals a couple of percent builds a bright neo chypre and a hefty dose lets you sketch an entire base. Keep an eye on oxidation at very high pH and remember that while it covers a lot of ground it will not supply the camphor or chocolate accents of true patchouli fractions.
All in all Clearwood has earned its spot on the modern perfumer’s bench thanks to its sustainable origin friendly handling and the easy way it drops a silky woody glow into a wide range of accords.