What Is Ultravanil 80%/Dpg?
Ultravanil 80%/Dpg is a specialty aroma material designed to give fragrances a rich vanilla signature without the heavy coloration issues that classic vanillin can bring. The product is supplied at eighty percent strength in dipropylene glycol, a common diluent that keeps the concentrate pourable and easy to weigh.
The molecule comes from Givaudan, one of the largest flavour and fragrance houses in the world. While Givaudan owns the trademarked name, a few other suppliers offer similar vanilla boosters under more generic labels, so it can appear on price lists from different distributors.
Commercial production relies on straightforward chemical synthesis, usually starting with guaiacol-derived intermediates that are upgraded through a short series of reactions. The process is considered simple in perfumery terms, which helps keep the price in the mid-range rather than at the luxury end.
At room temperature the material looks like a clear, water-white liquid with a fairly thick texture thanks to the solvent. There are no crystals or sediments, so it stays homogeneous even after months on the shelf.
Ultravanil shows up in fine fragrance, candles, soaps and even air care formats whenever a perfumer wants a modern vanilla vibe that behaves well in challenging bases like bleach and high-pH detergents. Its popularity has grown steadily over the last decade and it is now a staple in many commercial libraries.
Stored in a cool, dark place and kept tightly closed, the product easily maintains quality for around two to three years. After that it will still smell good but the intensity may fade and the solvent balance can drift, so fresh stock is recommended for critical work.
From a budgeting standpoint it sits comfortably between standard vanillin and the high-impact captive vanilla notes. That makes it attractive for both mass-market and niche projects.
Ultravanil 80%/Dpg’s Scent Description
Perfumers slot Ultravanil into the gourmand family, the same group that covers chocolate, caramel and sweet bakery accords.
On a blotter the first impression is an almost edible vanilla absolute effect, creamy and softly woody rather than sugary. A subtle smoky-phenolic streak runs underneath, adding depth and preventing the note from feeling flat. Compared with plain vanillin it smells darker, rounder and slightly spicy, as if a pinch of clove had been stirred into warm custard.
In the traditional top-middle-base framework Ultravanil lives squarely in the base. It rises slowly, reaches full volume after a few minutes and then anchors the composition for hours. Because it is a base note it pairs well with fleeting citrus tops or floral hearts, acting like an invisible backbone that ties the perfume together.
Projection is generous yet controlled. One or two percent in a finished fragrance lifts the vanilla accord so it radiates a friendly aura without dominating the room. On a paper blotter a single drop can still be detected several weeks later, which gives formulators confidence that the note will survive on fabric, skin or in a candle burn.
How & Where To Use Ultravanil 80%/Dpg
Perfumers reach for Ultravanil 80%/Dpg when they need the lush realism of vanilla absolute without the cost or heavy discoloration that natural extracts often bring. It slips seamlessly into gourmand accords, pairing especially well with vanillin, ethyl vanillin and isobutavan to build creamy custard or bakery facets. Used sparingly it can also enrich amber, tobacco, leather and even certain floral bouquets where a soft sweet undertone is desired.
The ingredient shines as the glue between heart and base notes. At very low traces it lifts and rounds fruity tops, while at 0.1 – 0.2 % of the finished formula it provides a long lasting vanilla backbone that boosts projection. Higher concentrations, up to roughly 1 %, push the phenolic side forward adding smoky depth that can border on medicinal if overdone. Because the material is potent the sweet spot is usually found well below 0.5 % in fine fragrance and even lower in functional products.
Ultravanil excels in soap thanks to outstanding bloom at the moment of lathering and strong substantivity on damp skin. It also behaves reliably in candles where its low volatility and burning effectiveness keep the vanilla present throughout the life of the wick. On the downside it loses some clarity in highly alkaline cleaners and has limited value in bleach systems where stability drops sharply.
Practical handling is straightforward. Most laboratories keep a 10 % solution in ethanol or in additional DPG for ease of weighing and to tame the intense odour. The liquid is already carrier-diluted so it pours quickly even in cool rooms. Because it has a tendency to stain light blotter paper after many hours it is wise to label and store test strips separately to avoid cross-contamination.
In short the molecule is a cost-effective vanilla power-booster with weeks of tenacity, but its strength demands restraint. Measure carefully, test at multiple dilutions and always evaluate the drydown before locking in a final dose.
Safely Using Ultravanil 80%/Dpg
Safe practice starts with dilution. Always create a working solution before evaluating the scent. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle as the concentrated vapour can overwhelm your nose and mask subtle nuances downstream in the creative process.
Work in a space with good airflow or under a fume hood to prevent the buildup of vapours. Protective nitrile gloves and safety glasses keep accidental splashes off skin and out of eyes. Wipe spills immediately because the material can linger on surfaces and transfer to other trials.
Like many aroma chemicals Ultravanil can provoke irritation or an allergic response in sensitive individuals. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should first consult a healthcare professional before handling any fragrance raw materials. Brief exposure to low levels is generally considered safe but prolonged contact with higher concentrations may pose health risks.
After each session cap the bottle tightly and return it to a cool dry cabinet away from sunlight which can degrade both the scent and the carrier. Dispose of unwanted solutions through chemical waste channels rather than down the drain, following local regulations.
Finally always review the most recent safety data sheet supplied by your vendor and stay updated as revisions appear. Adhere to current IFRA guidelines to ensure your finished product remains within recommended limits for consumer safety.
How To Store & Dispose of Ultravanil 80%/Dpg
Keep Ultravanil 80%/Dpg in a tightly sealed glass bottle placed in a cool dark cabinet away from heaters or direct sun. Refrigeration is optional yet helpful if you intend to hold stock for several years because lower temperatures slow oxidation.
Choose bottles fitted with polycone caps for both the neat material and your working dilutions. These liners create a snug seal that outperforms droppers or plain screw tops, reducing the loss of aroma and blocking air that can shift the scent profile over time.
Whenever possible store the liquid in containers that are almost full. A small headspace means less oxygen inside the bottle which in turn minimises colour change and keeps the vanilla note fresher. Repack large bottles into smaller ones as you use them up to maintain this low air exposure.
Label every container clearly with the name Ultravanil 80%/Dpg, the date it was filled, the concentration if it is a dilution and a quick note of any personal protective equipment required. Good labelling prevents mix-ups and speeds up safety checks during busy blending sessions.
Though the molecule is classed as inherently biodegradable it still carries an ecotoxicity warning so never rinse leftovers down the sink. Small volumes can be absorbed onto an inert material such as cat litter then disposed of through regulated chemical waste streams. Larger quantities should go to a licensed disposal facility that can handle organic fragrance ingredients. Rinse containers with a little solvent, collect the rinse in the same waste drum and only then recycle or discard the cleaned glass according to local rules.
Summary
Ultravanil 80%/Dpg is Givaudan’s high impact vanilla booster, delivering a creamy custard note with a touch of smoky realism while avoiding the heavy colour and cost of natural vanilla absolute. It behaves as a lower-middle to base note, lending weeks of tenacity on blotters and strong performance in soaps candles and fine fragrance.
Its popularity stems from that balance of power, affordability and stability across a wide pH range although performance drops in bleach and very alkaline cleaners. Perfumers value its ability to partner with vanillin, ethyl vanillin or isobutavan yet they dose it with care since above trace levels the phenolic side can dominate.
The ingredient is broadly available: large-scale buyers source straight from Givaudan or authorised distributors while hobbyists can find smaller packs through specialty resellers and generic makers who list it under its CAS numbers. As with any potent aroma chemical smart storage, accurate weighing and mindful disposal keep both the scent and the workspace in top condition.