Argeville é uma empresa de médio porte de "flavors & fragrances" localizada próxima a Grasse, em Mougins no sul da França. A história desta empresa familiar começou em 1921 quando se especializava somente em odores e extração de essências florais da região. Em 1981 uma grande expansão se iniciou e a divisão de sabores também foi adicionada.
Recentemente, a turma do GIP foi convidada a fazer um "tour" pela empresa e conhecer mais de perto seus processos. Tivemos a oportunidade de passar por todos os setores, desde criação de fragrâncias, laboratório de análises, fabricação de óleos essenciais, controle de qualidade até formulação e aplicação.
A sede da empresa fica em uma área toda verde, parecendo um parque. A paz e a tranquilidade deste lugar devem ajudar a manter o bom humor de todos que lá trabalham. A arquitetura combina com a autenticidade do lugar, pois são chalés de madeira alinhados e conectados lado a lado. Lá, os odores produzidos pelo homem se misturam com os produzidos pela própria natureza.
Tecnologia de ponta foi implementada em todos os setores, mas o que mais chama a atenção são sem dúvida os robôs. Eles fazem o papel que os técnicos de laboratório faziam, ou seja, a composição das fórmulas de perfumes. Eles misturam ingredientes tanto em quantidades pequenas para amostras que os perfumistas necessitam, quanto grandes quantidades para produção final, com precisão e margem de erro muito pequena. Mas os técnicos ainda são necessários para corrigir pequenos erros ou adicionar materiais que os robôs não conseguem trabalhar, como pó ou os que são muito viscosos.
A produção de absolutos e "concretes" de rosas, jasmim, cera de abelha entre outros ingredientes também foi algo bonito de ver e sentir os odores tão de perto. A produção destes materiais é pequena, mas de alta qualidade. Extrair estes odores fantásticos que a natureza nos oferece requer muito trabalho, cuidado no manuseio e dedicação. Foi uma experiência maravilhosa entender como a cadeia produtiva de um frasco de perfume funciona. Não nos damos conta de quanto trabalho esta envolvido desde o fazendeiro que planta os ingredientes naturais vindos do mundo inteiro, as destilarias, os perfumistas até a produção.
Como Chandler Burr costuma dizer: "Cada frasco de perfume contém o mundo".
Tenham uma excelente e perfumada semana!
Blue Lotus Flower
ENGLISH VERSION:
Argeville is a
medium-sized company of "flavors & fragrances" located near
Grasse, Mougins in southern France. The
story of this family owned business started in 1921 when it specialized only in
extracting odors and essences of the region. In
1981 began a major expansion and a division of flavors was also added.
Recently, the class of GIP was invited to do a "tour" at the company to closely get to know its processes. We had the opportunity to go through all sectors, from creating fragrances, lab, manufacturing of essential oils, quality control to the formulation and application.
The company is located in a green area, with lots of trees, bushes and plants, like a park. The peace and tranquility of the place should help to keep the mood up of all who work there. The wooden chalets blend very well with the authenticity of the place. Each chalet is aligned and connected side by side. There, the odors produced by humans mingle with those produced by nature itself.
Cutting edge technology has been implemented in all sectors, but what draw the most attention are undoubtedly the robots. They make the role that once belong to the laboratory technicians of composing fragrance formulas. They mix ingredients in small quantities for samples ordered by perfumers or large quantities for final production, with accuracy and small margin of error. But the lab technicians are still needed to correct minor errors and add material that robots cannot work with, such as powders or those too viscous.
The production of absolute and concretes of roses, jasmine, beeswax and other raw materials was also something beautiful to see and to smell so close. The production of these materials is small, but with high quality. Extracting these fantastic smells that nature offers us requires hard work, dedication and care in handling. It was a wonderful experience to understand how the supply chain of a perfume works. We do not realize how much work is involved from the farmer who plants the natural ingredients from around the world, the distilleries and perfumers to production.
As Chandler Burr said: "Each perfume bottle contains the world."
Recently, the class of GIP was invited to do a "tour" at the company to closely get to know its processes. We had the opportunity to go through all sectors, from creating fragrances, lab, manufacturing of essential oils, quality control to the formulation and application.
The company is located in a green area, with lots of trees, bushes and plants, like a park. The peace and tranquility of the place should help to keep the mood up of all who work there. The wooden chalets blend very well with the authenticity of the place. Each chalet is aligned and connected side by side. There, the odors produced by humans mingle with those produced by nature itself.
Cutting edge technology has been implemented in all sectors, but what draw the most attention are undoubtedly the robots. They make the role that once belong to the laboratory technicians of composing fragrance formulas. They mix ingredients in small quantities for samples ordered by perfumers or large quantities for final production, with accuracy and small margin of error. But the lab technicians are still needed to correct minor errors and add material that robots cannot work with, such as powders or those too viscous.
The production of absolute and concretes of roses, jasmine, beeswax and other raw materials was also something beautiful to see and to smell so close. The production of these materials is small, but with high quality. Extracting these fantastic smells that nature offers us requires hard work, dedication and care in handling. It was a wonderful experience to understand how the supply chain of a perfume works. We do not realize how much work is involved from the farmer who plants the natural ingredients from around the world, the distilleries and perfumers to production.
As Chandler Burr said: "Each perfume bottle contains the world."
Have an excellent and fragrant week!
Blue Lotus Flower
