Lakeway resident uses chemistry knowledge to create variety of flavors and fragrances

Fermn Nvar's career in the aroma and flavor additive business was serendipitous.

"After college I got a job in the flavor and fragrance industry," he said. "One day I was asked to deliver a package to our largest competitor but was told I could not look inside."

At the time Nvar worked on the flavor side of the industry, and when his curiosity bested him, he found the package contained a vanilla fragrance and wanted to know more.

"There isn't much difference from a composition standpoint between fragrances and flavors," he said. "They are about 60–70 percent the same, only fragrances are more volatile and flavors are less volatile."

Before a brief stint in the high-tech industry, Nvar said he spent 10 years learning how to produce flavorings for every beverage and candy imaginable. He then decided to try his hand in the custom fragrance and skin care market, founding Maison de Nvar in 2006.

Nvar now makes products sold throughout the world including industrial cleaners and deodorizers, International Delights coffee creamer flavors, flavoring for Big Red soda and more.

Businesses that have stopped producing products also lean on Nvar and his senses.

"If a company shuts down they will often have me reverse-engineer products and then modify them for future use," he said. "[Businesses] don't want to lose what they already have, and the consumer is already familiar with the product. I will copy the texture, the look and feel of a product and create a new product to match certain requirements."

In addition to his commercial and industrial products, Nvar provides a more personal touch for interested parties.

With the help of a questionnaire and psychological profile Nvar can create either customized skin care products or a personalized scent for a client.

"It is a very personal experience," he said. "I need to understand your health, what medicines you are taking, your diet, experiences, perceived experiences, your dreams and more."

Nvar said about 44 percent of people are allergic to fragrances and that everyone's skin is uniquely their own. He uses all of that information to create a personalized skin care product or fragrance for a client. Nvar said a personalized skin care product can cost between $150–$200 and a personalized fragrance starts at $500 per ounce.

"What I do is art. The medium just happens to be chemistry," he said.

Nvar said he plans to move his lab from its Lakeway location to Cedar Park in the near future. He said the move is to be closer to his distribution center.

Getting into the business

Fermn Nvar, founder and owner of Maison de Nvar, said getting into the flavor and fragrance industry can be very hard. Nvar, who has a background in chemistry, said most fragrances have aldehydes, ketones and esters as the main chemical group. He said people interested in the field must have a biochemistry background and can spend seven to nine years in an internship.

"The cost of the equipment [is manageable]," Nvar said. "The tough part is that there are between 3,000–3,500 raw materials, and you have to know how they work with each other and instantly identify each. You can't shortchange that."

Supplying ingredients

• Nvar helped develop and sell flavoring for International Delight Coffee Creamers
• Sold the flavor ingredient for Beg Red soda
• Developed and sold flavor ingredients for the Blue Razz Blow Pop
• Sold a variety of flavors for Blue Bell Ice Cream
• Sold a variety of flavors for Uncle Ben's Rice
• Sold a variety of flavors for TCBY Yogurt
• Developed and manufactured the Biobliss line of personal care products
• Developed and manufactured the Navajo Skin Care line of personal care products
• Developed and manufactured the Woodhouse Day Spa's Escape Fragrance

Maison de Nvar, 4600 Weletka Drive, Ste. 100, Austin, 512-266-6100, www.maisondenavar.com