EURO COSMETICS: More than 400 exhibitors from over 20 countries are expected at CosmeticBusiness in Munich. Which particular topics will be in focus this year?
Ivonne Simons: At the MOC in Munich, there will be three exhibition halls of companies demonstrating the full innovative strength of the industry in everything from ingredients to manufacturing and packaging.
The main trend dominating new products is sustainability. Sustainable solutions are a recurring product theme at the international trade show. They range from innovative active ingredients against ageing, solid natural cosmetics and refill systems to masterbatches that enable circular economies for plastic packaging.
EURO COSMETICS: Which exhibitor categories are most strongly represented this year?
Ivonne Simons: Ingredients, for example, is a category where we are expecting 140 exhibitors and additionally represented companies, which amounts to a third more than last year and considerably broader coverage than before.
Manufacturing and services are also strongly represented, with some 100 exhibitors specialised in private label and contract manufacturing. Traditionally, a large number of exhibitors offer packaging solutions for cosmetics products, and this group is well represented once again with about 170 companies. Decision-makers from the cosmetics industry can look forward to plenty of inspiration for future sustainable cosmetics products.
EURO COSMETICS: Sustainability is a huge topic this year again, especially where packaging is concerned. What trends do you see in this area?
Ivonne Simons: Overall, three trends have emerged in packaging innovation: material savings, recyclability and refill concepts.
Many exhibitors are focusing on using less material and reconstructed designs for their new products. Linhardt, for example, has managed to reduce the weight of its Top Tube by 70 per cent compared to the original. Lifocolor is presenting masterbatches that lay the foundation for a circular economy for plastic packaging. The Bio-C masterbatches are based on natural, vegan colourants. Thanks to their excellent temperature stability and migration resistance they can survive multiple cycles of reuse.
There will also be exciting new products with refill solutions. Heinz-Glas, which specialises in glass bottles, is presenting its All4One refill concept. It allows four interchangeable glass inserts to be used in one glass jar, depending on the user’s needs. The jars can be filled with various things such as perfume, makeup, lotion or room fragrances.
EURO COSMETICS: And what other trends do you see at the forefront of the industry?
Ivonne Simons: For ingredients, sustainability is once again at the top of the list, followed by anti-ageing and well-being. Manufacturers are focusing on the power of nature in their new products. A good example of this is the Danish start-up Cellugy with its biofabricated cellulose, ExoFlexy. The rheology modifier provides an alternative to fossil-based plastics and synthetic chemicals in the cosmetics and personal care industry.
Another top trend is the integration of AI. Coptis is an international software provider offering improved stability testing during formulation development thanks to artificial intelligence. The company has expanded its PLM software Coptis Lab to include an AI function aimed at predicting a formula’s stability in advance.
EURO COSMETICS: How relevant are start-ups in the cosmetics industry?
Ivonne Simons: Newcomers provide the cosmetics industry with truly inspirational ideas that are fresh and innovative. Many of the concepts they present are brand-new and not yet known in the market. This is why the start-ups in the Innovation Corner in Hall 4 are able to provide fresh and exciting inspiration for new product development. What’s more, the start-ups themselves can benefit from the perfect platform at CosmeticBusiness to present their companies to an international audience and establish new contacts.
We want the event to offer a win-win situation for the start-ups as well as the cosmetics industry and have created specific packages to make it easier for young companies to break into the market.
EURO COSMETICS: What can you tell us about this year’s conference programme?
Ivonne Simons: The range of topics at the conference covers everything from market trends, best practices and new product presentations by exhibitors to packaging design and legal regulations. A large number of items on the programme will be focusing on sustainability. With a view to establishing circular economies, pressure is mounting on players in the industry to adapt their processes and products accordingly. The conference programme offers decision-makers from the cosmetics industry a wealth of ideas for their own sustainable product and packaging designs.
EURO COSMETICS: How will you be helping companies to do business at the trade show?
Ivonne Simons: Even before arriving at CosmeticBusiness, interested parties can use the filters in the online exhibitor and product directory as well as the CosmeticBusiness App for a targeted exhibitor search. Additional orientation is provided by the various themed routes around the trade show as well as the new “start-up friendly” filter function.
Anyone wishing to make contact with specific exhibitors and suppliers can also use the Matchmaking service. To do so, visitors have to register online or in the CosmeticBusiness App and set up a personal profile.
EURO COSMETICS: In your opinion, what are the benefits for both exhibitors and trade visitors in coming to CosmeticBusiness?
Ivonne Simons: CosmeticBusiness is the main event of the year for the cosmetics industry. It is the only trade show offering the unique opportunity to fully plan projects along the entire supply chain from ingredients and manufacturing through to the final packaging. What makes this industry get-together so attractive for cosmetics manufacturers is that everything they need for product development is here under one roof. At CosmeticBusiness trends become visible and can be instantly transformed into new product ideas for the cosmetics market of the future. I don’t think it is really possible to create a more effective B2B platform. On the other hand, exhibitors are offered a reliable industry focus as well as direct and exclusive access to decision-makers from the cosmetics industry.
EURO COSMETICS: Thank you very much for the interview.
