IFF Revolutionizes Semi-Hard Cheese Production with CHOOZIT® LIFT for Unprecedented Sustainability

LEIDEN, Netherlands – June 26, 2025 – IFF (NYSE: IFF), a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, health, and biosciences, today announced a groundbreaking innovation set to transform the semi-hard cheese industry: the launch of CHOOZIT® LIFT. This first-of-its-kind culture is engineered to deliver significant sustainability and business benefits by fundamentally altering the cheese production process.

Leveraging IFF's extensive bioscience expertise, CHOOZIT® LIFT combines advanced strain design with practical cheesemaking knowledge to eliminate the traditional curd washing step. This seemingly minor adjustment in the cheesemaking process has profound implications for resource efficiency. Curd washing is a water-intensive process, and its elimination directly translates to substantial reductions in water consumption. Furthermore, heating and cooling the wash water are energy-intensive activities, meaning the removal of this step also leads to significant energy savings. This innovation underscores IFF's commitment to developing sustainable solutions that address critical industry challenges while enhancing operational efficiency for its customers.

The Transformative Impact of CHOOZIT® LIFT

The introduction of CHOOZIT® LIFT is poised to revolutionize semi-hard cheese production, offering a multi-faceted approach to sustainability and profitability:

• Water Conservation: By eliminating the curd washing step, cheesemakers can achieve substantial reductions in water usage, a critical factor in regions facing water scarcity and for companies committed to environmental stewardship.
• Energy Efficiency: The need to heat and cool wash water is removed, leading to significant energy savings and a reduced carbon footprint for dairy producers.
• Operational Cost Reduction: Lower water and energy consumption directly translate to reduced operational costs, improving the bottom line for cheese manufacturers.
• Enhanced Throughput: Streamlining the production process by removing a step can potentially increase production capacity and efficiency.
• Consistent Product Quality: IFF's rigorous development process ensures that the elimination of curd washing does not compromise the quality, texture, or flavor profile of the semi-hard cheese. CHOOZIT® LIFT is designed to maintain or even enhance the desired characteristics of the final product.

This innovation is a testament to IFF's leadership in bioscience and its ability to translate complex scientific understanding into practical, impactful solutions for the food industry. The development of CHOOZIT® LIFT aligns perfectly with global trends towards more sustainable food production and consumer demand for environmentally friendly products.

Market Context and Industry Implications

The global dairy industry, particularly the cheese sector, faces increasing pressure to adopt more sustainable practices. Regulatory bodies, environmental groups, and consumers are all pushing for reduced resource consumption and lower carbon emissions. Innovations like CHOOZIT® LIFT are crucial for the industry to meet these demands while maintaining profitability and competitiveness. Semi-hard cheeses, a popular category worldwide, represent a significant market segment where such efficiencies can have a widespread positive impact.

IFF's strategic focus on bioscience and sustainable solutions positions it as a key enabler for the dairy industry's green transition. This product launch not only strengthens IFF's portfolio but also reinforces its reputation as a forward-thinking partner for food manufacturers seeking to optimize their processes and reduce their environmental footprint.

Investment Insights for IFF (NYSE: IFF)

For investors, the launch of CHOOZIT® LIFT signals several positive indicators for IFF:

• Innovation-Driven Growth: This product demonstrates IFF's strong R&D capabilities and its commitment to developing high-value, proprietary solutions that can drive future revenue growth.
• Addressing Market Needs: The solution directly addresses critical industry needs for sustainability and cost efficiency, potentially leading to strong adoption rates among cheese producers globally.
• Competitive Advantage: CHOOZIT® LIFT offers a unique value proposition, potentially strengthening IFF's market position in the dairy ingredients sector and creating a competitive moat.
• ESG Alignment: The product's significant sustainability benefits enhance IFF's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) profile, which is increasingly important for institutional investors and socially responsible funds.
• Long-Term Value Creation: Innovations that improve customer profitability and sustainability tend to foster strong, long-term customer relationships and recurring revenue streams.

Investors should monitor the adoption rate of CHOOZIT® LIFT and its impact on IFF's biosciences segment revenue. This product launch reinforces the narrative of IFF as a company at the forefront of sustainable food technology, capable of delivering both environmental benefits and shareholder value.