Quest International
Quest International was a multinational producer of flavours, fragrances, and food ingredients that was acquired and absorbed by Givaudan in 2007.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Quest International was a specialist ingredients company serving the fast-moving consumer goods industries with flavours, fragrances, aroma chemicals, and food ingredients. Its activities ultimately covered the formulation and manufacture of ingredients used in foods, snacks, beverages, personal-care products, fine fragrances, and home-hygiene goods. Before its acquisition, the company operated in 31 countries and was one of the significant global suppliers to consumer-product manufacturers. Its principal competitive set included Firmenich, Givaudan, International Flavors and Fragrances, and Symrise. The business traced its origins to 1905, when N.V. Chemische Fabriek “Naarden” was established in the Netherlands. The factory initially produced glycerine, including material for export, but financial difficulties encouraged it to diversify into the distillation of caraway and other botanical materials for essential oils. This early work in aromatic materials laid the technical and commercial foundation for the later flavours and fragrances business. During the first half of the twentieth century, the company survived periods of disruption and financial strain, including the two world wars. During the Second World War it focused on products such as antioxidants, flavourings, and vitamin C while glycerine production was severely restricted. Naarden expanded internationally after the war through subsidiaries, acquisitions, and laboratory development. It acquired American Flavorex in 1964, established or expanded operations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and increasingly shifted away from bulk chemicals. The company discontinued caffeine production in 1968 and glycerine distillation in 1970, reflecting a strategic concentration on scents, flavourings, and related specialty chemicals. In 1972 the corporate structure was reorganized as Naarden International N.V. A major transformation occurred in 1987, when Unilever acquired Naarden International and combined it with its Proprietary Perfumes and Flavours activities. The resulting business was named Quest International. The group developed a global identity represented by a “Q” device, and much of its fragrance production was concentrated in Ashford, England, while the flavours and food-ingredient operation remained associated with Naarden in the Netherlands. Through a series of specialist acquisitions during the 1990s, Quest broadened its technology base and portfolio. In 1997, Imperial Chemical Industries acquired Quest from Unilever as part of ICI’s expansion in specialty chemicals. In 2004, Kerry Group acquired the food-ingredient division, leaving Quest more concentrated around flavours and fragrances. Quest marked its centenary in 2005, reporting sales of £560 million for that year. In 2006 it introduced a new corporate identity and the “creates what captivates” positioning, supported by a global black-and-white advertising programme. ICI announced the sale of Quest to Swiss fragrance and flavour company Givaudan in 2006. The transaction closed on 2 March 2007. Givaudan subsequently integrated Quest into its own operations, and Quest ceased to exist as a separate company. Its history therefore represents the evolution of a Dutch chemical manufacturer into an international creative and technical supplier to consumer brands, followed by absorption into a larger specialist competitor.
History
Quest International developed from N.V. Chemische Fabriek “Naarden,” founded in 1905 at the site of a former sugar-beet factory in the Netherlands. The original business employed 14 people and produced glycerine, including material for export. After encountering financial difficulties, it diversified into the distillation of caraway and other raw materials for essential oils. The production of aromatic chemicals, essences, and perfume compounds eventually became more important than the original bulk-chemical activity. Willem A. van Dorp joined the business as manager in 1908 and, together with his son, later helped shape its modernization and long-term development. Naarden exhibited its products internationally before the First World War. During that conflict it produced substantial quantities of glycerine for export to Britain. The interwar period brought financial difficulties, partly associated with an unsuccessful connection to a dye-making concern. During the Second World War, glycerine production fell sharply, but the factory made antioxidants for food preservation, flavourings, and vitamin C. It also established Naarden-Belgium in 1940, the first of a growing group of overseas subsidiaries. After the war, Naarden expanded its international structure and technical capabilities. By the early 1960s, most of its turnover came from foreign markets. The acquisition of American Flavorex in 1964 strengthened its position in the United States, while further subsidiaries were created across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In the late 1960s the company deliberately retreated from bulk products. It stopped caffeine production in 1968 and commissioned an aroma-chemical facility in 1969. Glycerine distillation ended in 1970, completing the shift toward flavours, fragrances, and related specialty chemicals. In 1972, the company became the holding company Naarden International N.V. Unilever acquired Naarden International in 1987 and merged it with its Proprietary Perfumes and Flavours activities. This combination created Quest International. Quest adopted a “Q” symbol associated with a globe and compass, and fragrance production was centered increasingly at Ashford in Kent, while the flavours and food-ingredient operation was headquartered at Naarden. The company grew through numerous specialist acquisitions during 1993–1996, adding technologies and product capabilities. ICI bought Quest from Unilever in 1997 as part of its strategy of building a specialty-chemicals portfolio. Kerry Group purchased the food-ingredient division in 2004. Quest celebrated the centenary of its origins in 2005 and reported sales of £560 million for that year. In 2006, it refreshed its identity and promoted itself through the “creates what captivates” platform. Givaudan agreed to acquire Quest from ICI, with completion taking place on 2 March 2007. The acquired business was integrated into Givaudan, ending Quest International’s existence as an independent company and corporate brand.
- 2007
Givaudan acquisition closes
[1]Givaudan completes the acquisition on 2 March, after which Quest is integrated and ceases to operate independently.
- 2006
Corporate identity is relaunched
[1]Quest introduces a new identity and the “creates what captivates” positioning.
- 2005
Centenary year
[1]Quest commemorates 100 years of development from the Naarden chemical factory into an international flavour and fragrance supplier.
- 2004
Food-ingredient division sold to Kerry Group
[1]Kerry Group acquires Quest's food-ingredient division.
- 1997
ICI acquires Quest
[1]Imperial Chemical Industries purchases Quest from Unilever and places it within its specialty-chemicals strategy.
- 1987
Quest International is created
[1]Unilever combines Naarden International with its Proprietary Perfumes and Flavours activities, creating Quest International.
- 1972
Naarden International N.V. is formed
[1]The company's corporate structure is reorganized under the Naarden International holding-company name.
- 1970
Glycerine distillation ends
[1]The final major legacy bulk-chemical activity is discontinued, completing Naarden's strategic move toward flavours and fragrances.
- 1968
Retreat from bulk chemicals begins
[1]Caffeine production ends as the company focuses more strongly on flavourings, scents, and specialty aromatic materials.
- 1964
Acquisition of American Flavorex
[1]Naarden completes the acquisition of American Flavorex, expanding its presence in the United States.
Products and positioning
A global business-to-business creator and supplier of flavour, fragrance, and specialty ingredient solutions for fast-moving consumer goods manufacturers. Its later positioning emphasized creative concepts combined with technical formulation and international production capabilities.
Flavours
Food and beverage flavours
Quest developed flavour systems and flavour concepts for manufacturers of foods, snacks, and beverages. Its work combined aromatic ingredients, formulation expertise, and application support for consumer products rather than focusing only on individual raw materials.
Fragrances
Fine fragrances
The fragrance business created compositions and fragrance concepts for fine-fragrance applications. Quest's fragrance operations were based in Ashford, Kent, and formed one of the company's principal global activities before the Givaudan acquisition.
Fragrances
Personal-care fragrances
Quest supplied fragrance solutions for personal-care products, using its perfumery and aroma-chemical capabilities to support consumer-goods formulations. The category covered applications beyond fine fragrance and was part of the company's broader fast-moving consumer goods portfolio.
Fragrance ingredients
Home-hygiene fragrance ingredients
Quest made fragrance materials and concepts for home-hygiene products. These offerings applied the company's aromatic chemistry and formulation expertise to products in which scent was an important part of consumer perception and product positioning.
Specialty chemicals · 1969
Aroma chemicals
Aroma chemicals were an important technical foundation of Quest's flavours and fragrances activities. The company commissioned dedicated aroma-chemical production capacity at Naarden in 1969, supporting the manufacture and formulation of aromatic materials for downstream applications.
Marketing campaigns
- 2006Creates What Captivates
Global
Quest relaunched its corporate identity around the idea that it created captivating flavour and fragrance experiences. The programme used a distinctive black-and-white visual approach and was intended to present Quest as a global creative and technical partner for consumer-goods companies.
Outcome. The campaign accompanied Quest's final independent corporate identity before its acquisition and integration by Givaudan.
Brand decisions
2007
Acquisition by GivaudanM&ABackground
ICI announced the intended sale of Quest to Givaudan, a major competitor in flavours and fragrances.
Action taken
Givaudan completed the acquisition on 2 March 2007 and integrated Quest into its operations.
Aftermath
Quest ceased to exist as a separate company and its independent brand identity came to an end.
2004
Sale of the Food Ingredient DivisionM&ABackground
Quest operated across food ingredients as well as flavours and fragrances, while Kerry Group was active in food ingredients.
Action taken
Kerry Group acquired Quest's Food Ingredient Division.
Aftermath
Quest's remaining business became more focused on flavours and fragrances.
1997
Sale from Unilever to ICIM&ABackground
ICI was expanding toward specialty chemicals and sought businesses aligned with that strategy.
Action taken
ICI acquired Quest International from Unilever.
Aftermath
Quest continued as part of ICI's specialty-chemicals portfolio and expanded through specialist acquisitions.
1987
Formation of Quest through Unilever's combinationM&ABackground
Unilever owned Naarden International and also operated a proprietary perfumes and flavours business.
Action taken
Unilever merged the activities and established Quest International as the combined business.
Aftermath
Quest gained a broader international platform spanning flavours, fragrances, and food-related applications.
1970
End of glycerine distillationStrategyBackground
Glycerine production was part of Naarden's original industrial base, but the company was increasingly organized around aromatic chemicals, flavours, and fragrances.
Action taken
The company discontinued glycerine distillation.
Aftermath
The move completed Naarden's transition from a broad chemical manufacturer to a specialist flavour and fragrance business.
1968
Exit from caffeine productionStrategyBackground
Rising raw-material costs and the availability of Coca-Cola's own supplies reduced the strategic attractiveness of caffeine production.
Action taken
Naarden stopped making caffeine and redirected attention toward flavours, scents, and specialty aromatic products.
Aftermath
The decision formed part of the company's broader withdrawal from bulk chemicals and its concentration on higher-value flavour and fragrance activities.
Recent events
- 2007
Givaudan completes the acquisition and integrates Quest[1]
M&A · Other
Givaudan completed its acquisition of Quest on 2 March 2007. Quest was integrated into Givaudan and no longer operated as a separate company.
- 2006
Quest launches a new corporate identity and global brand campaign[1]
Campaign · Other
Quest introduced a revised corporate identity and the positioning “creates what captivates,” supported by a global black-and-white advertising programme.
- 2006
ICI announces the sale of Quest International to Givaudan[1]
M&A
Imperial Chemical Industries announced an agreement to sell Quest International to rival flavour and fragrance company Givaudan.
- 2004
Kerry Group acquires Quest's Food Ingredient Division[1]
M&A
Kerry Group acquired Quest International's food-ingredient division, changing the scope of Quest's remaining business toward flavours and fragrances.
Sources1 sources
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