What Is Geraniol 70 Rc?
Geraniol 70 Rc is an aroma ingredient made mainly from plant based carbon and supplied by DSM-Firmenich. The name tells us two things: it is a concentrated form of geraniol at roughly seventy percent purity and the “Rc” tag signals its renewable carbon origin. While DSM-Firmenich is the best-known source, other suppliers offer comparable grades marketed simply as geraniol 70 percent.
The material starts life as turpentine collected from the paper industry. Instead of being burned as fuel, this by-product is cleaned up then split into smaller parts. Two of those parts, alpha and beta pinene, are turned through a series of gentle chemical steps into geraniol. The finished product is a clear to very pale yellow liquid that pours easily at room temperature.
Geraniol 70 Rc is a popular workhorse in perfumery and in fragranced home and body products. Its renewable pedigree has boosted demand further because many brands now look for green stories. Properly stored in a cool dark place it stays fresh for around two years, sometimes longer if the drum is kept tightly closed and the head-space purged with nitrogen.
Cost-wise it sits comfortably in the affordable bracket which explains its wide use. Perfumers lean on it to round out floral bouquets and give lift to citrus accords without breaking the budget.
Geraniol 70 Rc’s Scent Description
This ingredient falls squarely into the floral family. Off a smelling strip it opens with a bright rosy geranium note laced with hints of sweet lemon peel. After a minute or two a soft leafy nuance appears, a reminder of crushed citronella leaves on a summer porch. There is also a subtle waxy warmth that keeps the whole profile from feeling too sharp.
Perfumers often talk about top, middle and base notes to explain how a scent unfolds over time. Geraniol 70 Rc lives mainly in the heart or middle zone. It shows up quickly after application yet hangs around long enough to bridge the gap between sparkling top notes and the deeper base materials.
Projection is moderate: strong enough to be noticed but not so bold that it dominates a blend. On a blotter its presence can be detected for close to twenty-four hours, fading gradually into a soft rosy whisper.
How & Where To Use Geraniol 70 Rc
Perfumers reach for Geraniol 70 Rc when they need a bright yet rounded floral heart that bridges citrus tops and warmer bases. It slips easily into rose, geranium and muguet accords adding a natural petal sheen that feels more authentic than many synthetic rose helpers. In a citrus cologne a few drops deliver a soft rosy glow that keeps zesty notes from feeling hollow.
Typical inclusion levels sit between traces and 5 percent of the concentrate, with the sweet spot often around 0.5 to 2 percent. At under 0.5 percent you may only sense a gentle lift that smooths harsh edges. Push it past 3 percent and the citronella facet grows louder, which can skew a composition toward insect-repellent territory. Overuse can also flatten freshness by masking delicate top notes.
Geraniol 70 Rc shines in soaps, shampoos and detergents because it survives the alkaline environment and still smells floral after drying. It performs well in candles too, though you will need to test burn to confirm hot-throw strength. Where it struggles is in very high-temperature applications such as incense sticks; the material can degrade and lose its nuance.
Before weighing, warm the drum to around 25 °C if the liquid looks cloudy. A gentle roll will remix any settled fractions. It dissolves quickly in ethanol, DEP and most common fragrance solvents, so no special solubiliser is needed. When blending with strong aldehydes give the mixture a short rest period; this tamps down any initial clash between citrus and floral tones.
Finally keep an eye on cumulative rose allergens. If the formula already contains citronellol, geranial or linalool you may need to dial Geraniol 70 Rc back to stay within IFRA limits.
Safety Information
Always dilute Geraniol 70 Rc before smelling it and avoid direct sniffing from the bottle. Work in a well-ventilated space to prevent inhaling concentrated vapours. Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to guard against accidental splashes.
The material can cause skin irritation or trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a medical professional before handling any aroma chemicals. Brief exposure to low levels is generally considered safe while prolonged or high concentration contact can be harmful.
Should the liquid touch skin wash immediately with mild soap and water. In case of eye contact rinse for at least fifteen minutes and seek medical advice. Store away from heat sources and keep containers tightly closed to reduce oxidation that can heighten allergenic potential.
Always review the latest safety data sheet from your supplier and check it regularly for updates. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum usage levels in finished products to protect both users and the environment.
How To Store & Dispose of Geraniol 70 Rc
Store Geraniol 70 Rc in a cool dark place away from direct sunlight or hot machinery. A cupboard or flammables cabinet that stays under 20 °C works well. If you have spare fridge space the lower temperature can further slow oxidation and color change but it is not a must.
Choose glass or coated metal bottles with tight-sealing polycone caps. These caps press into the neck and limit air exchange far better than glass droppers or rubber bulbs. Avoid clear glass if your lab gets a lot of daylight.
Try to keep each container as full as possible. Less headspace means less oxygen so the floral note stays bright for longer. If you decant into smaller bottles purge with nitrogen or argon if available then close firmly.
Label every bottle with the material name batch number date opened and the usual hazard icons. Quick ID prevents mix-ups and lets you track age at a glance.
For disposal first see whether another formulator can use your leftovers. If not, small hobby volumes can usually go in household solvent waste or be diluted heavily with water then sent down the drain if local rules allow. Larger commercial quantities should go to a licensed chemical recycler or incinerator. The ingredient is readily biodegradable so once properly diluted it breaks down in normal waste-water treatment without lasting harm.
Summary
Geraniol 70 Rc is a renewable grade of the classic floral ingredient geraniol, supplied by DSM-Firmenich at roughly 70 percent purity. It smells of fresh rose geranium with a light citronella twist and brings natural petal lift to everything from fine fragrance to soap.
Its good tenacity, friendly price and green story make it a staple in many perfumers’ toolkits. The liquid stays stable in most everyday bases though very high heat can blunt its nuance. Keep an eye on allergen totals when formulating and watch the dose to avoid a bug-spray vibe.
Commercial buyers can source drums directly from DSM-Firmenich or approved distributors. Hobbyists and small brands will find smaller packs from specialist resellers and generic manufacturers that label it as Geraniol 70 percent.