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Plastic

NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC, POPULAR AND WEIRD  /  fresh · earthy · metallic
Plastic
Plastic perfume ingredient
CategoryNATURAL AND SYNTHETIC, POPULAR AND WEIRD
Subcategoryfresh · earthy · metallic
Origin
VolatilityBase Note
BotanicalN/A — olfactory concept
AppearanceN/A — olfactory concept
Odor StrengthMedium
Producing CountriesN/A — olfactory concept
PyramidBase

Polyethylene, PVC, polystyrene. The off-gassing of synthetic polymers -- petroleum reformed into solid form.

  1. Scent
  2. The Full Story
  3. Fun Fact
  4. Extraction & Chemistry
  5. In Perfumery

Scent

Polyethylene, PVC, polystyrene.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Immediately

Polyethylene, PVC, polystyrene
After a few hours

After a few hours

Developing character and warmth
After a few days

After a few days

Subtle residual trace

The Full Story

Plastic as a perfumery concept captures the particular sweet, slightly acrid smell of synthetic polymers. Different plastics have different scents: polyethylene is barely perceptible, PVC has a sharp chlorine edge, polystyrene is slightly sweet. In avant-garde perfumery, plastic represents modernity, artificiality, and the petroleum economy translated into consumer objects.

This note in Première Peau. Gravitas Capitale. Sample all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

Related: Airy Note · Aluminum · Helional · Industrial Glue · Ozone Acetaldehyde · River Notes · Steam Accord · Water

Did You Know?

Did you know?
In avant-garde perfumery, plastic represents modernity, artificiality, and the petroleum economy translated into consumer objects.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Not a naturally extracted material. The note is a perfumery reconstruction or concept accord.

Molecular FormulaN/A — olfactory concept
CAS NumberN/A — olfactory concept
Botanical NameN/A — olfactory concept
IFRA StatusNo known restrictions
SynonymsSYNTHETIC POLYMER
Physical Properties
Odor StrengthMedium
AppearanceN/A — olfactory concept

In Perfumery

Plastic functions as a concept or fantasy note in modern fragrance compositions. Not derived from a single natural extraction; the impression is built from multiple materials.

From the raw to the worn

This is what it becomes.