Is Linalyl Propionate natural? NOI route-dependent

Q: Is Linalyl Propionate natural?

Linalyl Propionate is a route-dependent ingredient — its NOI (0–1) depends on the manufacturing process used. Linalool is made from natural pine-tree terpenes or from petrochemical isopropenyl routes; propionic acid is petrochemical in both cases.

Why the score varies

This ingredient is made commercially by more than one route, and ISO 16128 scores the feedstock actually used. Without a supplier certificate of origin the value cannot be claimed.

Route	Feedstock	NOI	Share	Notes
natural-linalool (pinene/plant-oil derived)	turpentine (pine) or natural essential oils	0.73	~45%
petrochemical-linalool synthesis	petrochemical isopropenyl/acetylene building blocks	0.00	~55%

Ask your supplier. A batch-specific certificate of origin or bio-based carbon test (ASTM D6866) settles which route applies.

How we scored it

Natural-linalool route: (154.25-1.0)/210.31 = 0.73; petrochemical-linalool route: propionic acid fragment only, both fragments petrochemical = 0.0. Not averaged; dominant route used for noi_value.

What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Linalool, the alcohol half of this ester, is produced either from natural pine-tree terpenes (turpentine) or via petrochemical synthesis; both routes are commercially significant. Propionic acid is petrochemical in either case.

In plain English

A fragrance ingredient with a fresh floral, bergamot-like scent used in perfumes. Made from linalool, a terpene alcohol that can come from natural pine-tree terpenes or petrochemical synthesis, combined with propionic acid.

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References

1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
2LINALYL PROPIONATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
3LINALYL PROPIONATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=LINALYL%20PROPIONATE