The air care market is booming, from reed diffusers and scented candles to liquid electric plugins. In the UK alone, air care is valued at over £620 million (Mintel), and globally it is expected to grow by over 7% by 2034 (Fortune Business Insights). So we’re pleased to introduce an exciting new ingredient to air care formulators: Rhodiasolv® AIR L UP by Syensqo.
Fragrance in the home is now connected to a sense of wellbeing, and more and more people are investing in air care as part of their self-care. Consumers are looking for safe ingredients, without that ‘solvent smell’, and they are trying to find the perfect balance between quality and price in a market that is increasingly positioned as ‘premium’.
The Air Care Solvent Challenge
Solvent choice is an important formulation decision in reed diffusers, as they are made from 15-20% fragrance and 80-85% solvent. The solvent needs high solubility power, low odour, and the right evaporation rate. Rhodiasolv® AIR L UP was developed to address all of these challenges in one ingredient, offering a competitive and reliable alternative to existing solvents. Unlike many of the alternatives, it carries no hazard classification under UK and EU GHS, making it a safer choice for formulators and a compelling selling point for brands navigating an increasingly safety-conscious market.
Why Formulators Need Rhodiasolv® AIR L UP
Rhodiasolv® AIR L UP is an upcycled solvent with a reduced CO₂ footprint. It ensures constant fragrance delivery in reed diffusers, liquid electric plugins, and candles, enhancing the overall customer experience.
Key Benefits
- Upcycled raw material origin with a reduced CO₂ footprint (up to 75% lower than petro-derived solutions, detailed PCF assessment ongoing)
- No hazard classification – no hazard labelling requirements that could complicate regulatory submissions, whilst offering a safer choice for consumers.
- Safe for skin and inhalation, with no flammability concerns
- Low odour, doesn’t compete with / mask the fragrance
- High solubility power, acts as an excellent fragrance carrier
- REACH registered, clean tox and ecotox profile
- Readily biodegradable and palm oil free
- Reliable, stable European supply chain
Rhodiasolv® AIR L UP effectively solubilises various essential oils and can be blended with heavier solvents to tailor the evaporation profile as required.
Physical Properties
Rhodiasolv® AIR L UP has a flash point of 100°C and a vapour pressure of 0.06 mmHg at 20°C, making it safe to store, transport and handle in production. Its boiling point of 195–216°C supports a slow, controlled evaporation rate ideal for long-lasting reed diffuser performance. Low water solubility (5.3 wt%) means it is best suited to anhydrous systems, where it performs as both a fragrance carrier and a compatibiliser.
Key Applications
Rhodiasolv® AIR L UP is ready to use across several air care formats.
- Reed diffusers: Used as the primary carrier solvent at 80% alongside 20% fragrance. Delivers consistent scent throughout shelf life with no fragrance residue on ageing, storage stability exceeding one year.
- Scented candles: Used at around 8% as a fragrance compatibiliser in a paraffin and soy wax blend. No exudation in the final product which is a common challenge with heavier or more complex fragrance blends, with storage stability exceeding one year.
- Liquid electric plugins: Data available on request.
Get in Touch
Rhodiasolv® AIR L UP is available now through HARKE UK & Ireland, and we’d love to talk about how it could work in your next formulation. Get in touch with our technical team to get specific formulation help or request a sample.
