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

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: Robertet DSM- Firmenich  Bedoukian Berkeley Yeast FarmOne Avisa Myko Melatech  Melanin from the fungus  protects seeds from the effects of exposure to gamma radiation Inscripta  Aethera Biotech Research Institute for Fragrance Materials Fragrance Creators Association  Flavor Extract Manufacturers Association Topics Covered:  Biotech beauty, flavors and fragrances, corporate leadership, perfume, taste, bioengineering Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠ Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media