WELCOME to the
ARTFULLY CRAFTED world of
A timeless and sacred tree, sandalwood has journeyed through Indigenous cultures and ancient empires into our world today.
Its wood, oil and powder offer a myriad of uses in industries such as aromatherapy, fragrance, cosmetics, furniture and handicrafts. In traditional medicine, sandalwood is revered as a one-stop, multi-faceted ingredient. It takes on multiple forms to entice your senses and enhance your wellbeing. When you smell sandalwood, you are transported back in time where its history began – in heady incense smoke wafting through Hindu temples during prayer, in an Egyptian apothecary filled with glimmering bottles of amber oil, or in seeds used for Indigenous healing in Australia. The sandalwood we know today holds rich, unique stories within its oil and wood fibres. We are Quintis and we are here to share our sandalwood stories with you.
O U R STO RY Ours is a story born of tenacity in the vast and challenging terrains of Australia’s north. For the last 20 years, under broad skies, in red soils and unspoilt nature, Quintis has built an enduring legacy for its commitment to the sustainable growing, management and harvesting of Indian sandalwood (also known as Santalum album). As the demand for this sandalwood rose exponentially throughout the late 20th century, so too did its illegal poaching and harvesting — resulting in it being listed as a vulnerable species in 1998 by the International Union for Conservation (IUCN). Recognising this widespread problem, we took it upon ourselves to secure an ethical and sustainable supply of this ancient tree. And so, Quintis was born. In 1999, we sourced seeds from Mysore in India, planting the first Indian sandalwood trees in the tropical north of Australia — the ideal climate and conditions for this species to flourish. In doing so, we ensured it a viable future. Across a staggeringly vast 12,000 hectares, our Indian sandalwood plantation estate is now home to more than 5.5 million sandalwood trees — the largest in the world. Like our ancestors before us, we work with nature to develop truly authentic and pure sandalwood products. Our custom-built, 60,000 square metre distillation facility allows us to gently steam-distil the fragrant and luxurious heartwood oil. We also distil pure Australian sandalwood oil (Santalum spicatum), sustainably sourced primarily through the Government of Western Australia’s Forest Products Commission (FPC). Today, Quintis is one of the world’s largest and most revered suppliers of raw sandalwood materials. Proudly Australian, we have embraced a spirit of innovation, advancing and adapting technology to create rigorous, natural and evidence-based outcomes. A hallmark of this is our natural breeding program, which creates trees with up to 18% greater heartwood yields. Globally-certified and sustainable, we view ourselves not only as leaders and experts in the world of sandalwood, but as custodians of its future.
Market demand for this endangered species continues to grow, with up to 90% of sandalwood thought to be sourced illegally. We are proud to have secured the future of Indian sandalwood by creating space for an ethical and legal supply.
G LOBAL P R ESE NCE During the 7th century BC, the Incense Road bridged the gap between India, the Mediterranean and Africa, and sandalwood was a staple for trade at ports all along the route. Today, we expand its global legacy by supplying raw materials to clients worldwide. Our global sales team is available throughout the world to inform our clients on our products and support their in-country needs.
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E T HICA L , R ELIAB LE & SUSTAINABLE We ensure a sustainable harvest from seed to oil starting with natural and reliable planting processes. Every product has an origin story. Be it oil, powder or wood, we can tell you which trees make up the supply. We can even tell you the date the trees were planted, and where they were planted. Provenance is vital in a global economy and understanding the legitimacy of our supply gives our clients a direct channel to connect with land and culture, near and far.
Just like the purity of our raw materials, our practices are 100% transparent. It is part of our ethos to educate our clients and allied industries on sustainable, traceable sandalwood. We supply Indian sandalwood oil that meets British Pharmacopoeia standards. Our trees are always grown without growth hormones or stimulants, ensuring 100% natural products. We honour every part of the plant during harvest and supply globally certified oil, sandalwood logs, wood chips and powder. Our certifications and partnerships are essential in assuring sandalwood’s protection and legitimacy. We hold an ethical trade membership with SEDEX, one of the world’s leading organisations for managing responsible sourcing in supply chains and fighting against modern slavery. Quintis is also raising the bar for sustainability in the flavour and fragrance sectors as a signatory of the IFRA-IOFI Sustainability Charter, a joint initiative between the International Fragrance Association and the International Organization of the Flavor Industry. Inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Charter demonstrates our commitment to innovation, benchmarking and sharing of best practice.
The results of our commitment include:
No animal testing
40% reduction in water usage, saving 43 million litres of water
AUD $3 million investment in the reduction of our carbon footprint
Over 20 global certifications
IMMERSE YOURSELF in the scent of
INDIAN SANDALWO OD
Sandalwood Belonging to the Santalum genus, there are over 15 different sandalwood species found in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, Indonesia, Hawaii, and other Pacific Islands. Several species produce a highly aromatic wood that retains its fragrance for decades, with Indian and Australian Sandalwood considered the most important of these.
I NDI AN SANDALWO OD Known as the “king of woods,” this precious species has a long and sacred history. For thousands of years, it has been used as a traditional medicine or to calm the mind with its distinctly woody scent. A star in fine fragrance, Indian sandalwood’s creamy and woody base notes complement nearly every fragrance family, while its fixative properties provide longevity of the fragrance on skin. Global supply has dwindled yet market demand continues to grow for Indian sandalwood, bringing about excessive poaching and over-harvesting, and creating an illegal black-market industry. It is estimated that up to 90% of Indian sandalwood in the marketplace is sourced illegally. The result of this unscrupulous activity is that Indian sandalwood is now on the verge of extinction, and has been placed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
AUSTRAL I AN SANDALWO OD If Indian sandalwood is the king of all woods, then Australian sandalwood is the undisputed prince. Whilst retaining the classic woody base note synonymous with sandalwood, it has a greener, fresher top note compared to Indian sandalwood. Quintis distils a high quality, organic Australian sandalwood oil popular for use in fragrances. Australian sandalwood grows in the wilds of Western Australia in areas largely managed by the FPC. We source most of our wood from the FPC, which regulates the growth, harvesting and replanting of this native resource. As part of its regeneration program, each year the FPC disperses more than 5 million seeds across approximately 20,000 hectares of land, ensuring supplies of Australian sandalwood will last well into the future.
Sandalwood & Wellness
The magic of sandalwood lies in its chemical makeup. Each species is different and offers unique olfactory profiles. Sandalwood’s main sesquiterpenes, or aromatic components, are alpha-santalol and beta-santalol. In Indian sandalwood, these compounds make up more than 70% of the oil, up to three times more than other sandalwood species, giving it the status of “nature’s true wellbeing ingredient.”
K E Y C OM P OUND S Alpha-santalol is the most dominant of the 125 constituents, holding most of the therapeutic benefits of sandalwood. Studies show that it acts upon the body’s regulatory systems to reduce anxiety and increase relaxation, while its antioxidant properties address skin inflammation. Beta-santalol is thought to be largely responsible for defining Indian sandalwood’s soft, creamy, woody fragrance. Perfumers covet this species for its unique fragrance but also for its ability to serve as a grounding base note that blends well with other scents. The natural efficacy of sandalwood cannot be replicated by synthetic or fermented products, making it a true wellbeing ingredient.
BENEFI TS Whether inhaled or applied topically on skin, studies have shown that sandalwood’s sweet woody fragrance can decrease anxiety, calm the nervous system and assist with better quality sleep. As a natural antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-tyrosinase and anti-inflammatory, sandalwood has been shown to reduce signs of ageing, balance the skin’s microbiome, reduce the effects of pollution and brighten the skin. A natural fixative with a low volatility index (or low vapour pressure), sandalwood ensures a longer lasting fragrance in formulations.
Indian Sandalwood Process Flow
P L A N TAT I O N E S TA B LI S H M E N T & M A N AG E M E N T
H A RV E S T I N G
PROCESSING
Q UA LI T Y ASSURANCE
PRODUCT D E V E LO P M E N T
SHIPMENT & DISTRIBUTION
Products Sandalwood is grown as a result of botanical collaboration through a network of host plants, foresters and the perfect soil conditions. Our raw Indian sandalwood products are created using 100% pure heartwood, obtained from trees. After maturity, we harvest and, using custom-made machinery, process each tree with care where it begins a new life as oil, logs, chips or powder.
O IL
LO G S
Sandalwood oil captures the essence of the tree itself: hearty, grounding and complex. Its distinctive aromatic characteristics cannot be replicated – nothing artificial can ever replace nature’s creation. With over 125 constituents, every single one – even the most minute – is naturally created, giving the oil its signature and irreplicable aroma. As nature’s liquid gold, purity is essential. Our Indian and Australian sandalwood oils are steam-distilled locking in the oil’s most potent volatiles.
The anatomy of sandalwood is comprised of three layers of wood. The outer layer, or the sapwood, encircles the transition heartwood which surrounds the aromatic heartwood in the centre.
A complex chemical makeup in sandalwood oil gives us a range of olfactory profiles: floral, woody, creamy, balsamic and sweet. We use innovative blending and processing methods to develop a range of oils with different notes that allow you to tell your own olfactory stories in your products.
We are proud to offer natural and certified, pure Indian sandalwood heartwood logs worldwide. We grade our sandalwood logs according to colour, form and size. Logs with good dimensions and premium heartwood are separated and dried under controlled conditions. The minimum diameter of a heartwood log is 60mm, and the bark and sapwood can be removed according to your specifications.
We honour what nature provides with each batch, without genetically modifying or manipulating our products to ensure they are 100% natural.
C HIP S
POWDER
Known for their calming aromatic properties, sandalwood chips have been used for centuries in different cultures. The woody scent of the Indian sandalwood chips is released when burned or steeped as tea for various therapeutic and religious purposes.
In powder form, we grind the pure heartwood to unlock its rich fragrance. The powders contain around 3% pure sandalwood oil, which is considered to have therapeutic benefits.
Reddish brown in colour, these natural sandalwood chips are created from pure Indian sandalwood heartwood. Prior to chipping, logs are de-barked and de-sapped, unlocking their rich fragrance during the process. The chips are generally chipped to a size of approximately 10 mesh, however for larger orders we can customise to your specific requirements.
In cosmetics, Indian sandalwood powder is an excellent emulsifier forming Pickering emulsions that can be stabilised using viscosity modifiers. It feels luxurious on application and provides a soft and powdery non-tacky feeling on dry down thanks to the spherical nature of the particles. The powder is also used as a flavour enhancer and to create incense sticks to be burned in rituals and religious practices. We customise our Indian sandalwood heartwood powder to your specific requirements. Choose from fine, medium or coarse powders to suit a variety of uses.
Multifunctional Uses Loved for its versatility, sandalwood can be used across a variety of industries. From fine fragrance to handicrafts and cosmetics, our products can be applied in many different ways. F R AG R AN CE
Nearly 50% of all perfumes created since 1790 contain sandalwood. Quintis Indian sandalwood oil delivers a striking woody base note and acts as a fixative to ensure the longevity of perfume on skin. It contains the highest levels of beta-santalol compared to other species of sandalwood – the compound believed to be the powerhouse behind sandalwood’s fragrant properties. In fine fragrance, sandalwood gives weight to a formula and its aroma changes with time, giving the wearer a multi-faceted olfactory profile.
A RO M AT HE R A PY
Studies show that the alpha-santalol in sandalwood oil calms the nervous system when inhaled or applied topically. Common markers of a stimulated nervous system include eye blink rate, pulse rate and systolic blood pressure, all of which are significantly reduced when sandalwood is inhaled or absorbed through skin application.
C OSM ET I CS
Whilst the use of sandalwood has existed for centuries, modern science has started to uncover the unique benefits of Indian sandalwood in treating acne, eczema and other skin ailments. A variety of these benefits are demonstrated through its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase properties which we are studying further in our own research and trials.
F L AVO UR
In some markets such as India, Indian sandalwood is popular as a flavour in foods and beverages. Some examples include chewing tobacco, gum and mouthwash. In addition, it is said to have flavour enhancing qualities, bringing out the flavours of other ingredients – in China during the Ming Dynasty it was used as a spice exactly for this purpose. Indian sandalwood is listed as a safe ingredient with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The manufacture of food grade oil and powders is HACCP certified.
Quintis offers a range of sustainable, certified, natural Indian sandalwood products. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, logs are often purchased whole and practitioners create their own chips or powder to be added into blends or tea.
TR AD I T I O N AL ME D I C I N E
A system of medicine dating back over 23 centuries, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used to prevent and heal diseases and is considered one of the world’s oldest medical systems. Known as Tan Xiang, sandalwood has been a part of TCM practices for thousands of years, used to treat conditions such as acne, stomach-aches and cystitis. However, according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, only Indian sandalwood (Santalum album) is permissible for use in formulations. Known as chandana in India, Indian sandalwood is used in Ayurvedic medicine to heal the three doshas of the body, and is known to hydrate and cleanse all skin types.
WO RS H I P & INCENSE
Sandalwood has been used in several religious practices for centuries in the form of carvings and applied to the body for purification purposes. When Buddha passed away in 543BC, it is said that his body was cremated on a bed of sandalwood, enhancing the well-known belief that sandalwood elevates the user’s spirituality. In recent times yoga and meditation have introduced incense culture to the Western world where sandalwood, together with other natural herbs, is burnt as incense to elevate and encourage holistic healing.
H AN D I C R AF TS
For thousands of years, the art of sandalwood carving has been practised throughout India and China. In China, the first recorded use of Indian sandalwood in carvings can be traced back over 1,000 years and in India, it was used to carve the first known sculpture of Buddha in the 6th century BC. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Indian sandalwood was widely used by the royals for furniture, carvings and handicraft. Ever since then, Indian sandalwood has been highly revered for its associated symbolic significance – even today, Indian sandalwood reflects exquisite taste and high social status.
FURNITURE
Throughout ancient China, sandalwood was used to create ornate furniture. In modern times, sandalwood is regaining its popularity as a material of choice in the production of fine furniture.
Our Masters Andrew Brown BSc (Organic Chemistry and Pharmacology), MBA H E A D O F R E S E A R C H & D E V E LO P M E N T For nearly 30 years, Andrew has worked in the distillation of sandalwood. His diverse experience spans the health and beauty and pharmaceutical industries.
Dr. Danny Hettiarachchi BPharmSc., MScience (Pharmaceutical Sciences), PhD. P R O D U C T M A N AG E R Danny is a natural products chemist with over 15 years of experience in the sandalwood industry. He also serves as the expert witness on sandalwood for the State of Western Australia.
Karen Condon Associate Degree; Applied Biology (UK) Q UA LI T Y A S S U R A N C E M A N AG E R Karen ensures Quintis’ distillation facility meets quality requirements for the manufacture of fragrance, flavour and pharmaceutical-grade sandalwood oil.
Johan Nortier HEAD OF PRODUCTION Johan joined Quintis nearly 20 years ago and is responsible for the development of our custom-designed equipment and all production activities.
Simon Ong BSc (Entomology & Zoology), MScience (Forest Ecosystem Science) E N TO M O LO G I S T Simon identifies insects found in the plantations and observes the lifecycle of each. He has observed at least 30 significant pests of Indian sandalwood and its hosts in Australia; half of which have not been recorded as pests in other industries.
Steve Hindley BSc (Forestry Science), MBA G E N E R A L M A N AG E R – FO R E S T RY Steve has extensive experience in global forest management and now is responsible for all activities across the world’s largest Indian sandalwood plantation at Quintis.
Ken Robson BSc (Biology) FO R E S T RY R E S E A R C H & D E V E LO P M E N T Ken specialises in plantation irrigation, agroforestry, tree improvement and tropical forestry, improving sustainability and quality product development.
Matt Barnes BSc (Agriculture) D E P U T Y G E N E R A L M A N AG E R – FO R E S T RY For 15 years, Matt has successfully overseen large-scale system innovations across the Quintis business. Matt relocated to the Northern Territory six years ago to manage our expansion into Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Judie Barrow Dip. (Environmental Science), BSc Hons. S U P P LY A S S U R A N C E M A N AG E R Since 2004, Judie has worked with sandalwood, making her an expert in the production and quality of sandalwood oil, and has contributed to the improvements in procedures, advancing quality and yield.
Dr. Precila Gonzales BSc (Forestry Science) Hons., MScience, PhD R E G I O N A L R E S E A R C H FO R E S T E R For almost 30 years, Dr. Precila Gonzales has worked in international forestry. Her speciality in tree physiology and tree growth helps to map, trace and understand the Indian sandalwood trees that grow in Quintis’ plantations.
SANDALWO OD is our
WORLD and we are the
CUSTODIANS OF ITS FUTURE.