Emerging Global Leaders Shaping the Future in 2026
Company: Scent Emotions
Designation: Founder, CEO & Chief Scientific Officer
Country: Spain
Angel Palacio is an industrial innovator whose work sits at the intersection of material science, sensory psychology, and sustainable product technology. As the founder, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Scent Emotions, his career has been shaped by a clear purpose: to redefine the role of scent from a decorative feature into a scientifically engineered, functional tool that enhances human wellbeing, improves product performance, and advances environmental responsibility across industries.
From the earliest stages of his professional journey, Angel was drawn to the idea that materials could do more than endure physical stress, they could also influence emotion, perception, and experience. This curiosity led him into the specialized field of polymers with controlled fragrance release, where chemistry, manufacturing, and sensory design converge. Over time, this interdisciplinary focus evolved into a guiding philosophy centered on purposeful innovation, solutions that solve real problems, deliver measurable value, and operate with respect for both people and the planet.
Under Angel’s leadership, Scent Emotions has developed proprietary technologies that integrate long-lasting, controlled scent release directly into polymer matrices. These innovations enable everyday products, as well as specialized wellness and health applications, to provide consistent sensory benefits while reducing waste and supporting improved sustainability outcomes. His approach is firmly grounded in scientific validation, intellectual rigor, and a disciplined commitment to quality rather than trend-driven experimentation.
Sustainability is not an add-on in Angel’s work, it is foundational. He actively promotes ECO-HOPCP materials, advanced biodegradable polymer systems designed to move beyond surface-level environmental claims. By rejecting greenwashing in favor of verifiable, safer material solutions, he has positioned sustainability as a core driver of innovation rather than a marketing narrative. This principle has guided the company’s evolution, shaping its roadmap and reinforcing its role as a leader in conscious material and fragrance technology.
While deeply technical, Angel’s vision remains profoundly human. He views scent as a bridge between cognition and emotion, capable of influencing mood, memory, and behavior when thoughtfully applied. This perspective has enabled meaningful collaborations across sensory science, wellbeing, and public health, including functional applications such as vector-control systems, olfactory-enhanced medical materials, and sensory-adaptive environments that respond to human needs.
As a leader, Angel prioritizes cross-disciplinary collaboration and global partnerships. He works closely with scientists, perfumers, industrial designers, and policy stakeholders to ensure that innovation is deployed responsibly and ethically. His commitment to education and empowerment reflects a belief that future innovators must combine technical expertise with emotional intelligence and environmental awareness to drive lasting change.
Looking ahead, Angel’s ambitions are both global and grounded. He aims to scale technology-driven solutions internationally, establish new frameworks for sustainable sensory products, and help catalyze industry-wide shifts toward materials designed with functional purpose. For him, success is defined not by recognition, but by the positive impact his work creates for communities, ecosystems, and everyday human experiences.
Angel Palacio’s journey exemplifies the essence of purposeful leadership, where science, sustainability, and human experience come together to shape a future in which materials do more than perform. They connect, contribute, and meaningfully enhance wellbeing and progress on a global scale.