This section provides an overview of geranyl acetate, covering its manufacturing processes and regulatory status, and applications in food, perfumery, flavouring, cosmetics, and aromatherapy industries. Also, please check out the introduction to geranyl acetate manufacturers, supply chain issues, geranyl acetate suppliers, and geranyl acetate prices. Sinofi can help you buy geranyl acetate at bulk wholesale prices based on FEMA 2509 and CAS 105-87-3.
Table of Contents
What is Geranyl Acetate?
Geranyl acetate is a dependable, broadly applicable monoterpene ester whose sweet, rosy, fruity-floral character makes it a valuable modifier in citrus, berry, tropical, and floral flavour systems, as well as in rose and lavender fragrance accords. As the acetate ester of geraniol, it combines a soft, rosy-floral character with fruity and citrus facets, which makes it a versatile modifier. It occurs naturally in many essential oils and is also manufactured synthetically on a multi-tonne scale, ensuring a reliable supply for industrial formulations. Geranyl acetate is the trans (E) isomer of 3,7-dmethyl-2,6-octadien-1-yl acetate. The material is practically insoluble in water and glycerol but is freely soluble in ethanol, ether, and the majority of common organic solvents and fixed oils, which simplifies its incorporation into solvent-based flavour bases and alcoholic fragrance compounds. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), geranyl acetate is approved to be used in the flavour and fragrance industries.
Regulatory Status and Safety Considerations
Geranyl acetate has been evaluated by major regulatory bodies like JECFA, EFSA, RIFM, ECHACHEM, NIST, IFRA, and WHO. It holds FEMA GRAS status under FEMA number 2509 and is recognized as a synthetic flavouring substance in the United States under 21 CFR 182.60. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA number 58) concluded that there is no safety concern at current levels of intake when the material is used as a flavouring agent; geranyl acetate falls within a group acceptable daily intake of 0–0.5 mg/kg body weight, expressed as citral, shared with citral, citronellol, linalool, and linalyl acetate.
For fragrance use, geranyl acetate is not subject to quantitative restriction under the IFRA Standards through the 51st Amendment, and it is not listed in the restrictive annexes of EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Under GHS, the neat material is classified as a skin irritant (Category 2), a skin sensitizer (Category 1), and as hazardous to the aquatic environment (Chronic Category 3), so appropriate personal protective equipment and good ventilation are recommended when handling the undiluted ingredient. National Toxicology Program studies found no evidence of carcinogenicity, and the reported acute oral toxicity in rats is low. In e-liquid formulations, geranyl acetate pairs well with anisyl acetate, WS-23, eucalyptol, and neotame, producing fruity, balsamic notes with a mild, sweet character.
Sensory Profile
For the flavourist, the sensory character of geranyl acetate is its defining attribute. The odour is fresh, sweet, and floral, dominated by a rosy note that is rounded by distinctly fruity, pear-like nuances and softened by subtle lavender and citrus undertones. A faint green, waxy quality contributes to its natural impression.
Natural Occurrence
Geranyl acetate is a constituent of numerous essential oils, which accounts for its long history as a naturally derived aroma material. It is present at relatively high concentrations in oils of certain Eucalyptus and Callitris species and in palmarosa oil, and it occurs in smaller proportions in citronella, lemongrass, petitgrain, neroli, geranium, coriander, carrot seed, and lavender oils. It is also reported as a significant constituent of lime oil. Historically, the ester was obtained by fractional distillation of these oils; the first deliberate laboratory synthesis through acetylation of natural geraniol is generally attributed to work conducted in the late nineteenth century.
CAS No.: 105-87-3
According to the American Chemical Society, the CAS number of geranyl acetate is 105-87-3.
CAS Name: Geranyl acetate
Molecular Formula: C12H20O2
Molecular Mass: 196.29
Appearance: Colourless clear liquid.
JECFA Number: 58
Food Chemicals Codex Listed: Yes
Boiling Point: 240.00 to 245.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Solubility: Soluble in alcohol, most fixed oils; insoluble in water.
Other Names:
♦ Geraniol acetate
♦ 2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, acetate, (E)-
♦ 2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, acetate, (2E)-
♦ Acetic acid geraniol ester
♦ trans-3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-yl acetate
♦ Geranyl acetate
♦ Bay pine (oyster) oil
♦ Geranyl ethanoate
♦ trans-Geranyl acetate
♦β-Geranyl acetate
♦ trans-1-Acetoxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadiene
♦ (E)-3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl acetate
♦ (E)-3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol acetate
♦ 3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol acetate
♦ Acetic acid geranyl ester
♦ (E)-3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl acetate
Geranyl Acetate Odor
Odor Strength: Medium.
Substantivity: 24 hours at 100.00 %.
Odor Description: At 100.00 %. floral rose lavender green waxy.
FEMA Number 2509
According to the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA), the FEMA number of geranyl acetate is 2509.
Bulk Geranyl Acetate Manufacturers
The bulk geranyl acetate production is a mature but steadily growing segment of the broader aroma-chemical industry, expanding at a mid-single-digit rate. Top geranyl acetate manufacturers like BASF, NHU, Symrise, Firmenich, Givaudan, and Takasago both produce and consume geranyl acetate, since they are simultaneously among the largest downstream buyers for their own compounded fragrance and flavour creations. Production capacity has shifted increasingly toward Asia. China and India together account for a substantial share of merchant geranyl acetate manufacture, supported by competitive cost structures and large domestic aroma chemical sectors.
Sinofi is a bulk geranyl acetate manufacturer in China, and we have a manufacturing facility with 2,500 square meters for the production of geranyl acetate. We supply high-quality geranyl acetate at bulk prices and serve food, perfumery, flavouring, cosmetics, and aromatherapy industries worldwide.
Manufacturing Process of Geranyl Acetate
Geranyl acetate is mainly produced by two broad strategies. The first is direct isolation, in which the ester, or more often its parent alcohol, is recovered from essential oils that contain it naturally, followed where necessary by esterification. The second, which dominates industrial volume, is chemical synthesis, in which geraniol is esterified with an acetyl donor.
Stage One: Production of the Geraniol Feedstock
Isolation from essential oils
Geraniol and geranyl acetate occur in numerous essential oils, including palmarosa, citronella, and geranium. Recovery proceeds by fractional distillation, frequently under reduced pressure to limit thermal stress on the terpene. While this route supplies material that may be marketed as natural, it is constrained for large-scale ester production by the limited and variable availability of raw oils, by demanding separation and purification, and by the relatively high cost of vacuum fractionation.
Synthesis from beta-pinene via myrcene
A long-established synthetic route to the geraniol and nerol family begins with beta-pinene, a turpentine-derived terpene. Pyrolysis of beta-pinene at roughly 550 to 600 degrees Celsius with very short contact time yields myrcene in high proportion. Myrcene is then subjected to hydrochlorination in the presence of a cuprous chloride catalyst and a quaternary ammonium salt, which directs preferential addition to give allylic chlorides; subsequent substitution and hydrolysis or acetoxylation furnish a mixture of geraniol, nerol, and linalool.
Selective hydrogenation of citral
The route that underpins most modern large-scale geraniol supply is the partial hydrogenation of citral, which is itself produced petrochemically in very large quantities. Citral is a mixture of two geometric isomers, geranial (the E isomer) and neral (the Z isomer). Selective reduction of the conjugated carbonyl converts geranial to geraniol and neral to nerol, so the isomer distribution of the alcohol product reflects that of the starting citral.
Stage Two: Esterification of Geraniol
The conversion of geraniol to geranyl acetate is an O-acylation of a primary allylic alcohol. Several acyl donors and catalytic strategies are used, each with characteristic advantages and liabilities.
Fischer esterification with acetic acid
The direct, acid-catalyzed condensation of geraniol with acetic acid is the most elementary route:
geraniol + acetic acid <=> geranyl acetate + water
The reaction is a reversible, equilibrium-limited process catalyzed by Brønsted acids such as concentrated sulfuric acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid. To drive conversion, one reagent is used in excess or the water of reaction is removed, for example, by azeotropic distillation or molecular sieves.
Bulk Geranyl Acetate Suppliers
Bulk geranyl acetate can be sourced through several distribution channels, which differ in scale, price, service level, and traceability. Top geranyl acetate suppliers like BASF, NHU, Symrise, Firmenich, Givaudan, and Takasago typically offer the strongest consistency, documentation, and regulatory support, and are the natural choice for large, recurring, specification-critical volumes. A broad base of regional geranyl acetate suppliers, concentrated in India and China, supplies competitively priced material at mid volumes.
Sinofi is a bulk geranyl acetate supplier in China, and we have a warehouse with 1,200 square meters for high-quality geranyl acetate. We sell different grades of geranyl acetate at wholesale prices, serving end-users in food, perfumery, flavouring, cosmetics, and aromatherapy industries.
Supply Chain of Geranyl Acetate
The geranyl acetate supply chain can be represented as seven layers. The notable feature is its shape: many diverse feedstock origins converge on a narrow set of intermediate producers, then fan out again through manufacturing, distribution, and a broad range of end markets.
Feedstocks and the intermediate chokepoint
The chain begins with three distinct feedstock origins. The dominant synthetic route starts from basic petrochemicals, principally isobutene and methanol or formaldehyde, which are converted to citral. A second synthetic route begins with turpentine-derived beta-pinene, pyrolyzed to myrcene and functionalized through allylic chlorides to the geraniol family. The natural route begins with agricultural essential-oil crops such as palmarosa, citronella, and geranium, from which geraniol or geranyl acetate is isolated by distillation.
Geranyl acetate manufacture
Geraniol is esterified to geranyl acetate by acetylation. This tier is more populated than the intermediate layer and comprises three overlapping groups: integrated chemical majors that carry the molecule downstream from their own feedstock, dedicated aroma chemical specialists.
Distribution
Between manufacture and formulation sits a distribution layer of ingredient houses and specialist distributors that hold stock, repackage, provide local regulatory documentation, and shorten lead times, alongside digital B2B marketplaces that aggregate suppliers and enable discovery and benchmarking.
Formulation and compounding
Geranyl acetate is rarely used alone; it is incorporated into compounded flavour and fragrance formulations by creation houses such as Givaudan, IFF, DSM-Firmenich, Symrise, Takasago, Mane, and Robertet. A defining structural nuance is that several of these houses, and the chemical majors, operate at more than one tier, producing aroma chemicals as well as consuming them in compounds.
End markets and consumers
From the formulators, geranyl acetate reaches a broad set of end markets: fine fragrance, functional fragrance in soaps, detergents, household, and air-care products, food and beverage flavours, cosmetics and personal care, and minor pharmaceutical and aromatherapy uses.
Wholesale and Buy Geranyl Acetate in Bulk
Successful wholesale procurement of geranyl acetate depends on a disciplined approach that balances cost, quality, and supply reliability. Establishing strong, transparent relationships with vetted suppliers ultimately positions the organization to respond effectively to evolving demand and market conditions. Geranyl acetate buyers can secure a dependable supply that supports both production continuity and competitive cost performance.
Key Quality Specifications
Before placing an order, the purchasing manager should confirm that the supplier consistently meets the defined technical specifications. Typical parameters to verify include:
- Assay (purity): Commonly 98% or 60% (geranyl acetate and neryl acetate>95%) minimum, though premium grades may exceed this.
- Source designation: Natural, nature-identical, or synthetic, depending on the application requirement.
Requesting a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for each batch, along with a representative sample for in-house evaluation, is strongly recommended prior to committing to a large order.
Supplier Selection Criteria
The supplier’s reliability is as important as the quoted price. When evaluating potential vendors, the following criteria warrant careful attention:
- Certifications and compliance: Look for ISO 9001 quality management certification, and where applicable, food-grade, cosmetic, or Kosher and Halal certifications. Compliance with IFRA.
- Documentation: Confirm the availability of Safety Data Sheets (SDS), CoA, and any required regulatory filings for the destination market.
- Track record and references: Established suppliers with verifiable client references and a history of consistent quality reduce procurement risk.
- Sample availability and responsiveness: A supplier’s willingness to provide samples and to respond promptly to technical inquiries often indicates overall service quality.
For high-volume or long-term needs, qualifying multiple suppliers is advisable to mitigate single-source dependency.
Pricing Considerations
The wholesale price of geranyl acetate is influenced by several variables that the purchasing manager should monitor:
- Raw material costs: Prices for the underlying feedstocks, particularly natural sources, can fluctuate with agricultural yields and seasonal availability.
- Grade and source: Natural-source material generally commands a premium over synthetic equivalents.
- Order volume: Larger commitments unlock more favorable tiered pricing.
- Comparing quotations from several qualified suppliers, while accounting for incoterms and total landed cost, provides the clearest basis for negotiation.
As a bulk geranyl acetate manufacturer and supplier in China, we wholesale this ingredient to end users in food, perfumery, flavouring, cosmetics, and aromatherapy industries. We also supply geranyl acetate to small customers. Normally, they want to buy geranyl acetate in small quantities. To serve them, we can sell geranyl acetate at bulk prices and provide a one-stop purchasing service.
Geranyl Acetate Prices (USD/Kg)
Food Grade Geranyl Acetate Prices (GC Content >=98.0%)
| Volume | Unit Price | Shipment |
| 50g | 6 USD | Express |
| 500g | 31 USD | Express |
| 1Kg | 48 USD/Kg | Express |
| 25Kg | 34 USD/Kg | Express |
| 100Kg | 31 USD/Kg | Express / Sea |
| 200Kg-Above | negotiable | Express / Sea |
Geranyl acetate trades in two distinct tiers: synthetic geranyl acetate prices recorded roughly USD 28–55/kg in EU and American countries, versus natural grade (ex-palmarosa/citronella) at USD120–200/kg. In addition to the 98% purity specification, geranyl acetate is also available in a 60% purity grade. Due to the lower purity, the price of geranyl acetate 60 is significantly lower than that of 98% grade. Geranyl acetate prices rose materially through 2021–2023 on COVID logistics, inflation, freight, and the European energy crisis, and were then jolted by the July 2024 BASF Ludwigshafen citral-plant explosion; while BASF stated its core citral, citronellol, linalool, and geraniol production continued, the force majeure across downstream aroma ingredients (ionones, rose oxides, ethyllinalool, and others) rattled the broader aromachemical market and was only fully lifted on 28 August 2025. 2025–2026 has seen partial normalization but persistent firmness in natural grades tied to tight citronella/palmarosa crops.
Furthermore, the above price quotations of geranyl acetate do not include the express fee. The reason is that the shipment cost may exceed the sample value of geranyl acetate. However, the bulk wholesale prices for geranyl acetate will be much lower than those of small orders. Please contact us for more details.
Geranyl Acetate Specification
| Appearance | Colorless, clear liquid. |
| Odor: | Floral rose lavender green waxy. |
| Purity (GC) | >=98% or 60% |
| Acid Value (mg KOH/g) | <=1.0 |
| Refractive Index (20°C) | 1.458 – 1.464 |
| Specific Gravity (at 25℃/25℃) | 0.900 – 0.914 |
| Solubility | 1ml sample is dissolved in 9ml 70% ethanol |
Geranyl Acetate Uses
Geranyl acetate is a versatile and widely valued terpene ester whose sweet, floral aroma underpins its extensive use in food, perfumery, flavouring, cosmetics, and aromatherapy. Its natural origins, agreeable scent, and reasonable stability have secured its position as a staple ingredient across multiple industries.
Use in Perfumery and Fragrance
The most prominent application of geranyl acetate lies in the fragrance industry. Perfumers employ it as a middle, or heart, note to impart rose-like and fruity floral characteristics to a wide range of compositions. It is frequently incorporated into rose, lavender, and other floral accords, where it contributes warmth, roundness, and a natural quality that synthetic substitutes often struggle to replicate.
Beyond fine fragrances, geranyl acetate is widely used to scent functional and household products. These include soaps, detergents, air fresheners, candles, and cleaning preparations. Its ability to blend harmoniously with other terpenes and floral materials, together with reasonable stability in finished products, makes it a dependable component for formulators seeking a balanced and enduring scent.
Use as a Flavouring Agent
Geranyl acetate is also employed as a flavouring agent in the food and beverage sector, where it has been approved for use within established regulatory limits. It imparts fruity, floral, and slightly waxy notes and is commonly found in flavour formulations intended to evoke fruits such as apple, pear, peach, and various berries. It may also appear in confectionery, baked goods, beverages, and chewing gum. As with all flavouring substances, its concentration is carefully controlled to ensure both sensory quality and consumer safety.
Use in Cosmetics and Personal Care
The cosmetic and personal care industries make extensive use of geranyl acetate, primarily as a fragrance component. It is incorporated into lotions, creams, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, and similar products to provide an appealing scent. In this context, manufacturers must comply with applicable labeling requirements, as geranyl acetate is among the fragrance materials that certain jurisdictions require to be disclosed due to the potential for skin sensitization in susceptible individuals.
Use in Aromatherapy
Within aromatherapy, essential oils rich in geranyl acetate, such as those of geranium and lavender, are valued for their calming and uplifting aromatic qualities. Practitioners associate these oils with relaxation and stress relief. It should be noted, however, that the therapeutic claims made in aromatherapy are largely traditional, and rigorous clinical evidence supporting specific health benefits of geranyl acetate remains limited.
Geranyl Acetate Benefits
Geranyl acetate offers a combination of well-established and prospective benefits. Its most dependable advantage lies in its pleasant aroma and its value as a versatile, natural ingredient across fragrance, flavouring, and cosmetic applications.
Aromatic and Sensory Benefits
The most reliably established benefit of geranyl acetate is its contribution to fragrance and flavour. Its rose-like, fruity scent provides a natural and pleasant aroma that perfumers and product developers value highly. Because it blends harmoniously with other floral and terpene materials and offers reasonable stability in finished formulations, it enhances the sensory appeal of perfumes, cosmetics, household products, and food preparations. This aromatic quality represents a genuine and consistent benefit rather than a speculative one.
Potential Antimicrobial Properties
Laboratory studies have examined the capacity of geranyl acetate to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and fungi. Findings from these investigations suggest that the compound may possess antimicrobial activity, which could make it of interest as a natural component in preservation, hygiene, and cleaning products. Such properties, if confirmed and standardized, might offer an appealing alternative to certain synthetic agents. It is important to emphasize, however, that these results derive largely from controlled laboratory settings and do not establish efficacy in clinical or everyday consumer contexts.
Potential Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity
Research has also explored the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of geranyl acetate. Antioxidant compounds help neutralize reactive molecules known as free radicals, while anti-inflammatory agents may moderate the body’s inflammatory responses. Preliminary studies indicate that geranyl acetate may exhibit activity in both areas. Should these effects be substantiated through further research, they could be relevant to applications in skincare, nutrition, or wellness. At present, the evidence remains in its early stages, and broad health claims would be premature.
Potential Calming and Mood-Related Effects
In aromatherapy, essential oils containing geranyl acetate, such as geranium and lavender, are commonly associated with relaxation and emotional balance. Many practitioners and users report that these aromas promote a sense of calm and help relieve stress. While the pleasant scent of geranyl acetate may plausibly contribute to such experiences, the supporting evidence is primarily anecdotal or traditional. Rigorous clinical confirmation of specific psychological benefits is limited, and individual responses to aroma vary considerably.
Geranyl Acetate in E-Liquid and Vaping Products
Geranyl acetate occupies a dual position in the context of vaping. It is a widely used and agreeable flavour and aroma compound that contributes floral and fruity character to e-liquids and is naturally present in many cannabis and botanical formulations.
Role in E-Liquid Formulation
Flavouring chemicals are central to the appeal of modern vaping products, and esters are among the most common classes of flavour compounds used in commercial e-liquids. Esters represent the most prevalent class of flavourants in electronic nicotine delivery systems, and terpenes rank as the second most abundant class. Geranyl acetate belongs to both groups, functioning as a terpene ester, which helps explain its presence across a range of formulations.
In nicotine-based e-liquids, geranyl acetate may be included to impart floral or fruity notes. It is also a terpenoid found in many cannabis formulations, where terpenes are added both for flavour and for their purported contribution to the sensory and experiential qualities of the product. Consequently, geranyl acetate can be encountered in nicotine vapes, cannabis concentrate vapes, and do-it-yourself flavour-mixing applications alike.
Regulatory Status
Geranyl acetate is a widely used ester and terpenoid flavourant that lends floral and fruity character to e-liquids and vaping products. Its regulation, however, is governed not by its long-standing reputation in food and perfumery but by frameworks specifically concerned with inhalation. In the United States, the FDA subjects any vaping product containing geranyl acetate under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, with non-tobacco flavours facing heightened scrutiny under guidance issued in 2026. In the European Union, the Tobacco Products Directive requires notification, ingredient and emissions disclosure, and toxicological substantiation, and expressly demands that ingredients pose no risk to human health in heated or unheated form, while individual Member States retain authority over flavour restrictions. Across both jurisdictions, the consistent message is that the safety of geranyl acetate for ingestion does not extend to inhalation, and that its use in vaping products must be justified through evidence appropriate to that very different route of exposure.
A Jasmine Tea Flavouring Formulation Using Geranyl Acetate
Include the following ingredients (by weight, total 100g):
Cis-3-hexenol: 1; Linalool: 0.5; Phenethyl Alcohol: 0.8; Alpha-Amylcinnamaldehyde: 2; Hexanal: 0.5; Benzyl Acetate: 0.5; Jasmine Absolute: 3; Neroli Oil: 0.5; Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate: 0.5; Indole: 3; Geraniol: 1; Geranyl Acetate: 0.5; Linalyl Acetate: 0.3; Methyl Dihydrojasmonate: 3; Farnesol: 0.5; Alpha-Terpineol: 0.6; Beta-Damascone: 0.2; Beta-Ionone: 0.2; Benzyl Alcohol: 0.08; Cis-3-Hexenyl Benzoate: 0.05; Ethyl Maltol: 0.3; Methyl Anthranilate: 0.5; Methyl Benzoate: 0.05; Methyl Salicylate: 0.1; Ethanol: 80.32.
In conclusion, geranyl acetate occupies an important position in food, perfumery, flavouring, cosmetics, and aromatherapy industries. As a bulk geranyl acetate manufacturer and supplier in China, we offer various grades of geranyl acetate at wholesale prices to clients worldwide.