Donauwasser (Danube Water)

Creative agency Jung von Matt DONAU has produced the world’s first perfume made with carbon dioxide generated by the audience at a live music event, as part of a push to help chemistry shed its white labcoat reputation, and spark curiosity among young Gen Zers.
Jung von Matt DONAU partnered with the popular Austrian musician Bibiza on the project, in response to a brief from the Association of the Austrian Chemical Industry (FCIO) to raise awareness of the practical ways that chemistry makes a positive difference in people’s everyday lives.
Named Donauwasser, or Danube Water, after Bibiza’s song Donau (the River Danube in English), the project ties science directly back to the musician’s creative world. The new fragrance was made using carbon capture and utilisation technology to extract CO₂ from the air at the exclusive Bibiza x FCIO performance at Posthof Linz on December 8, with over a thousand people in attendance.
This was converted into the raw materials forming the base of the perfume. Bibiza, who personally defined and selected the fragrance notes of his perfume in collaboration with the perfumers of Frau Tonis, describes the scent as an olfactory impulse — energetic, invigorating and electrifying, infused with a hint of adrenaline.
Jung von Matt DONAU has collaborated with director Simon Rajchl to create a film capturing the journey from the concert to the finished product, which Bibiza will launch on his social channels on December 15. Vienna-based goldsmith and artist Paul Pichler was commissioned to design the packaging for Donauwasser, with just 50 bottles being produced, with most being offered as prizes for Bibiza’s fans.
“By connecting science with pop culture, we make chemistry tangible especially for young people – and with Donauwasser we show how exciting and diverse it truly is,” say Eva Zefferer and Lea Vukovics, Creative Directors at Jung von Matt DONAU.
“The project shows how fascinating chemistry is and what it makes possible. It turns CO₂ into a perfume that you can see, smell, and experience,” says Dr. Ulrich Wieltsch, Chairman of the FCIO.
The project was realized with the support of TU Wien and JKU Linz.