Concrete (perfumery)
A waxy extract from flowers used to make perfume absolutes
Concrete in perfumery is a thick, wax-like substance made by extracting fresh flowers with solvents. It is mainly used as an intermediate step to produce absolutes, which are highly concentrated fragrance ingredients for perfumes.
- Concrete is made by extracting fresh flowers with solvents.
- It is used to produce absolutes for perfumes.
- Rose and lavender are common sources for concrete.
- Concretes can spoil if exposed to light for long periods.
- Pesticide residues in concretes are a regulatory concern.
What is Concrete (perfumery)?
Concrete is a semi-solid, waxy material that results from extracting fresh flowers with solvents. It contains a mix of aromatic oils, plant waxes, and other compounds that do not evaporate easily. The texture is thick and sticky, and its scent reflects the original flowers used, such as rose or lavender. Concretes are not directly used as perfumes but are valued for their role in making concentrated fragrance products.
Where does Concrete (perfumery) come from?
The process of making concrete began as a way to capture the scent of delicate flowers that could not be distilled for essential oils. Flowers like rose and lavender are commonly chosen. The method involves soaking the plant material in a solvent, which dissolves the aromatic and waxy components. This technique allows perfumers to preserve scents that would otherwise be lost in traditional distillation.
How Concrete (perfumery) is made
To create concrete, fresh flowers are first subjected to high pressure to break open their cells. A suitable solvent is then used to extract the fragrant and waxy substances. After the solvent is evaporated, a thick residue remains. This residue, called concrete, is rich in nonvolatile compounds and has a soft, waxy feel. The choice of solvent and careful control of temperature are important to protect delicate fragrance ingredients.
When and where Concrete (perfumery) is used
Concretes are mainly processed further to make absolutes, which are more refined and completely soluble in alcohol for use in perfumes. The concrete is mixed with ethanol, filtered at low temperatures, and then the alcohol is removed, leaving behind the absolute. Because concretes are only partly soluble in alcohol, they are not used directly in perfumes but may be used in scented soaps.
Forms of Concrete (perfumery)
Different flowers yield concretes with unique scents and textures. Rose and lavender are among the most popular, but other flowers can be used as well. The properties of the concrete depend on the plant source and the method of extraction. Each type of concrete brings its own character to the absolutes made from it.
What Concrete (perfumery) means
Concretes are valued in the perfume industry for capturing the true scent of flowers that do not yield essential oils well. However, there are concerns about pesticide residues in concretes, as regulations and testing methods vary by region. Storage is also important, as exposure to light can cause concretes to spoil over time.
The flowers of Concrete (perfumery)
Questions people ask about Concrete (perfumery)
What is concrete in perfumery?
Concrete is a waxy substance obtained by extracting fresh flowers with solvents. It contains aromatic oils, waxes, and other plant compounds, and is used as an intermediate in making perfume ingredients called absolutes.
Which flowers are commonly used to make concrete?
Rose and lavender are among the most popular flowers used to produce concrete, but other fragrant flowers can also be used depending on the desired scent.
How is concrete different from essential oil?
Concrete is a semi-solid extract containing both aromatic oils and waxes, while essential oil is a pure, volatile oil. Concretes are further processed to make absolutes, which are more similar to essential oils in use.
What is the main use of concrete in perfumery?
The main purpose of concrete is to serve as a step in producing absolutes, which are highly concentrated fragrance ingredients used in making perfumes.
Are there any concerns with using concrete?
Yes, concretes can become rancid if exposed to light for several months, and there are concerns about pesticide residues due to inconsistent regulations and testing methods.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Concrete (perfumery)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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