The Comoros archipelago is also known as "the islands of perfumes" in tribute to the wealth of aromatic plants cultivated on its land. Among these botanical treasures, one can find prized species such as ylang-ylang, vetiver, geranium, and lemongrass, which enhance the olfactory palette of this unique archipelago.

Introduced originally to the Comoros from the Philippines, ylang-ylang is now a symbol of a national identity and a heritage of this archipelago, blending tradition, expertise, and excellence in the world of perfumery.

Ylang-ylang, scientifically known as Canang aodorata, is an evergreen tropical tree native to the humid tropical regions. It is cultivated for its yellow flowers, from which the essential oil of ylang-ylang is extracted through distillation. Its scent is very strong and spicy, almost intoxicating, resembling jasmine, carnations, and daffodils. In the Tagalog language of the Philippines, the name YlangYlang translates to "flower of flowers."

Key facts about Bioylang Comoros:

• Bioylang Comoros was founded in 2015 in the Comoros

• At the time of its creation, the company had 2 permanent employees and about 20 seasonal workers. By 2024, the company has shown significant growth, with 6 permanent employees and 30 seasonal workers

• The company initially started its activities in the distillation of ylang-ylang and clove buds essential oils and wholesale export, but after the covid pandemic, it expanded into packaging and finished product transformation, including the production of a perfume

• The company extracts essential oils through steam and hydro distillation, using eco-friendly methods with kerosene stills and solar energy

• The company exports more than 70% of its production to France, with the remainder going to Germany, Italy, and the United States of America

About the company:

Bioylang Comoros has extensive expertise in essential oil distillation in the Comoros. The company specializes in distilling local cash crops, including ylang-ylang, cloves, ginger, eucalyptus, cinnamon, and lemongrass, among others. It stands out particularly for its work with ylang-ylang, of which the Comoros is the world’s leading producer. With a global consumption of approximately 100 to 120 tons per year, the Comoros produces about 50 to 70 tons annually, representing around 70% of the world’s production. This flower, which is the second-largest source of foreign currency for the country, is harvested, distilled, and sold throughout the year, providing a livelihood for nearly 80% of the Comorian farmers. Ambassador Aboud, a career diplomat and founder of Bioylang, has played a key role in developing sustainable solutions for essential oil distillation while advocating for fairer compensation for local farmers.

Environmental Protection, Job Creation, and Innovation:

Bioylang Comoros is actively committed to environmental protection by adopting an innovative distillation process that does not rely on wood, the use of it being responsible for deforestation in the Comoros. The new process, developed by Ambassador Aboud, allows for a 30% increase in oil production while preserving the forests, using burners powered by solar energy and kerosene. This more eco-friendly approach represents a significant progress in the sustainability of ylang-ylang production and contributes to the preservation of the local environment. Furthermore, this innovation supports job creation, particularly for women, who are mainly responsible for harvesting the flowers.

Bioylang is also supported by European Union funded programs such as the Support Program for Production, Industrialization, and Free Trade in the Comoros (APILE Comores), backed by the EPA, and the Entrepreneurship and Business Facilitation Program (ENFA-OI), aimed at strengthening local production and industrialization. In October 2024, with support from the ENFA-OI project, five Comorian companies, including Bioylang Comoros, were invited to participate in the international innovation fair for the cosmetics industry, Cosmetic 360, in Paris. This participation allowed Bioylang to meet key players in the beauty sector, understand their expectations for sourcing cosmetic ingredients, observe best practices from major brands, and engage with certification bodies to better address current challenges.

Furthermore, the company launched Mwema, the very first perfume from a Comorian company, in December 2024. The perfume Mwema, whose name in Comorian means "beautiful, lovely, and enchanting," transports you to an exotic world of femininity and elegance. Created by Keithy de Bontin, in collaboration with Ambassador Mahmoud Aboud, Mwema harmoniously blends fresh and spicy floral notes. Each drop is meticulously crafted using a selection of rare and precious ingredients sourced from around the world. Its heart reveals the most refined essences of ylang-ylang from the Comoros. Bulgarian rose petals add a delicate and romantic touch, while Egyptian violet, combined with Sri Lankan sandalwood and Indian jasmine, imparts an incomparable sophistication.

The company aims to increase the value of this precious resource thanks to the support provided by the EU project AfrIPI, aimed at registering ylang-ylang from the Comoros as a geographical indication with OAPI. It also plans to diversify its offering by developing innovative cosmetic products made from marine algae, enhanced with ylang-ylang essential oils. This fusion of local and marine ingredients promises to deliver products that are both refined and deeply rooted in the unique identity of the Comoros.

Main achievements over the years:

• Long-standing expertise in essential oil distillation in the Comoros

• Creation of an innovative distillation process that does not use wood, thereby preserving Comorian forests. This new method increases production by 30% while being more eco-friendly

• Bioylang Comoros supports the local economy by creating jobs for women through the harvesting of ylang-ylang flowers, providing a source of livelihood for nearly 80% of Comorian farmers

• The company has received several EU-backed supports through the APILE Comores and ENFA OI projects, including the most recent participation in the international innovation fair for the cosmetics industry, Cosmetic 360, held in October 2024.

• Bioylang supplies Comorian ylang-ylang essential oil, renowned for its exceptional quality, to several prestigious brands such as Chanel, Givenchy, and Hermès, where it is widely used in the perfumery industry

• Launch of the first Comorian perfume in December 2024

How will the EPA help?

Bioylang Comoros recently launched a perfume manufactured in France, crafted from ylang-ylang essential oils sourced directly from the Comoros. Thanks to the EPA, the company benefits from customs duty exemptions, which provide a strategic advantage. This new product marks a decisive step in the expansion of the company’s activities, with plans for additional hires and further business development. Since its creation, essential oil distillation has been at the heart of Bioylang’s operations. In line with this momentum, the company now plans to acquire semi-finished cosmetic product compositions to manufacture finished products directly in the Comoros.

“The EPA, along with the projects supported by this Agreement or by EU financial aid, has greatly contributed to stimulating the development of our company and promoting the hiring of additional staff”

Bioylang Comoros

Ambassador (Ret) Mahmoud Mohamed Aboud

CEO and founder

Bioylang Comoros

Bioylang Comores

Bioylang Comoros

Bioylang Comoros

Bioylang Comoros