VIDEO: How Firmenich & Bill Gates Are Conquering Sanitation Issues

To mark World Toilet Day on Saturday Firmenich provided an update on its collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
 
In the run up to event on Nov. 19, the fragrance house actively engaged in the first “Global Toilet Business Innovation and Investment Summit” organized by the Toilet Board Coalition in Mumbai. The summit gathered more than 200 leading businesses all dedicated to solving the world’s sanitation crisis through sustainable and innovative business models and products.
 
Approximately 2.5 billion people globally have no access to proper sanitation facilities, and more than 800,000 children under age five years old die each year from diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation. Evidence shows that even when toilets exist, they are often not used due to their unpleasant smell—and that's where Gates says Firmenich's role has been key.
 
“Firmenich sent their scientists to study toilets in the developing world, and they have created a breakthrough set of ingredients that make it possible to eliminate the foul odor associated with toilets,” explained Bill Gates. “Their willingness to help fund the project with us and take risks has been very valuable. They are on a path to deliver an innovative product that also helps improve the world. It’s an amazing partnership.”
 


“I deeply believe that business is a force for good and can address today’s sanitation crisis at scale,” said Gilbert Ghostine, CEO, Firmenich. “To make sure our breakthrough technologies reach the populations most in need, we are actively engaging with our strategic customers and partners to co-create affordable solutions.”
 
By making affordable and effective toilet cleaning and freshening products easily accessible across the developing world, business can contribute to making the cleaning and use of toilets more acceptable and frequent. This in turn should lead to a sustainable improvement in people’s health, while also contributing to countries’ economic and social development.
 
Over the past four years, Firmenich has been working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation trying to find new ways to solve today’s sanitation crisis.
 
“Because smell was so central to solving this serious public health issue, we knew we could be part of the solution,” said Prof. Geneviève Berger, chief research officer, Firmenich. “The call for action was clear to us, not only because we had the science to counter bad smells, but also, because it resonated with our DNA to have a positive impact through our business and improve people’s quality of life.”
 
“We know we cannot solve such a great challenge alone,” said Dr. Bérangère Magarinos-Ruchat, vice-president sustainability partnerships Firmenich. “That’s why we chose to partner with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to scale up our impact together. We are also a founder and board member of the Toilet Board Coalition, which is dedicated to driving innovative business solutions to solve today’s sanitation crisis at scale.”
 
In the run up to World Toilet Day, Firmenich actively engaged in this year’s very first “Global Toilet Business Innovation and Investment Summit” organized by the Toilet Board Coalition in Mumbai. The summit gathered over 200 leading businesses all dedicated to solving the world’s sanitation crisis through sustainable and innovative business models and products.