PHYTO SOUL, the operator of the sustainable fragrance ingredient-based premium brand FRA422, announced on the 5th that it has successfully secured seed investment from BonAngels Venture Partners and Kimhyunsun Design. FRA422 focuses on researching and developing sustainable fragrance sources while creating a distinctive brand through world-class perfumery and design.

The name FRA422 combines “FRAGRANCE” and “April 22” (Earth Day), symbolizing a commitment to building a sustainable fragrance culture. Producing essential aromatic oils often requires large amounts of plants, posing a risk to slow-growing woods, low-yield flowers, and wild herbs that are easily endangered by increased production.

The growing popularity of niche perfumes made with essential oils has further threatened plant species such as sandalwood, agarwood (oud), rosewood, and guaiacwood, which are already listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Of the 80,000 plant and animal species used in perfumery and therapeutic applications, 15,000 are at risk of extinction.

In response, FRA422 was founded in 2018 as a collaborative project among perfumers and artists, sparked by the question, “Is perfume fair?” The initiative developed principles for sustainable fragrance production and created a design system called 422CODE. This certification system identifies scents that meet sustainability criteria.

After six years of research with renowned perfumers worldwide, FRA422 has introduced five types of perfumes and 13 highly concentrated diffusers. To preserve fragrance ingredient on the verge of extinction, FRA422 uses sustainable natural compositions to create alternative scents that are indistinguishable from the original. 

The 422 highly concentrated diffusers allow consumers to enjoy these sustainable scents. Customers can choose from a variety of fragrances to match their preferences or mix and create personalized blends. FRA422 is dedicated to offering innovative, ethical solutions that ensure the future of natural fragrance sources.