Chromatography 'looks for trace elements' of perfume contaminants

Top-of-the-range perfumes are analysed for trace elements of impurities using chromatography at French producer Givaudan.

Four times each day, analysis of samples allows discrepancies to be detected - either in the raw materials used or trace elements introduced due to a production flaw.

Chromatography is one part of the three-stage process used to ensure that the company's top-line products are pure.

Serge Lemaitre, quality control manager at the company's Argenteuil facility, says: "We check quality and consistency.

"To do this we use three different types of control: analytical, chromatographic and olfactory."

As well as fine fragrances, the site also produces functional aromas for use in products such as shampoo and deodorant.

Up to 2,000 raw materials in total go into the parfums created on the site, including some that are used for older fragrances still in production.

Givaudan was initially founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 1895 by Leon Givaudan, who was later joined in the business by his brother Xavier.