BW Confidential reports on the innovations presented at the ninth edition of trade show Cosmetic 360, which took place in Paris from October 18 to 19
CleanTech was the theme at this year’s Cosmetic 360 event, the show dedicated to innovation in the beauty industry and organized by French industry cluster Cosmetic Valley.
There were a large number of new products, brands and services presented around the Clean Tech theme. They included eco-conceived brands, with a focus on compostable packaging, zero waste, plastic-free packs, solid products and waterless items, as well as locally sourced ingredients, non-petrochemical-based ingredients and those that take biodiversity into consideration. Also on show, were companies focused on decarbonization, green chemistry, clean energy, as well as transparency in the supply chain.
At the opening press conference of the event, Cosmetic Valley announced the creation of an office, or “embassy,” in Shanghai, China, to support companies’ export business and boost the attractiveness of France. Cosmetic Valley says the new initiative aims to promote exchanges between French players in different markets and support SMEs that do not yet have a local presence. The initiative’s aim is to forge links with local players and strengthen what Cosmetic Valley calls France’s “soft power” on the international stage. The office will be launched in early 2024. In the medium term, Cosmetic Valley plans to establish more “embassies” in other markets, such as the US.
This year’s show welcomed more than 5,000 unique visitors and 250 exhibitors.
Innovations seen in show
Beauty tech company Perfect Corp presented its AI skin diagnosis tool, which provides users a score for 14 skin concerns, as well as product recommendations and routines. The company also presented its skin type detection tool, which diagnoses the user’s skin type. While the skin diagnosis tool uses a photo of the user, the skin type detection tool can be used live.
French industrial group Anjac Health & Beauty showcased its airflow technology under its Sicaf brand. The technology creates whipped textures that are propellant free. The Sicaf skincare range features five textures: A cleansing cream, two face balms, a whipped face cream and a perfumed whipped face cream. The company has also developed a range of solid products, including a deodorant, mask, serum, cream, perfume and sunscreen sticks with SPF. The company says that solid products have clean formulas.
Italian tech company Antares Vision Group presented its anti-diversion traceability solution, which is a platform that claims to ensure full traceability across the supply chain, mitigating the financial impact of product diversion. The platform provides a unique QR code for each product and end-to-end tracking and monitoring of distribution. The company adds that the QR code ensures authenticity of the product.
The QR code is featured on each box of products and is connected to a distribution map as well as tracking and tracing information, allowing a brand to control the supply chain. When a customer scans the QR code, it presents the journey of the product and its destination; it does not capture any personal information and the data is owned by the brand.
Materials company Avery Dennison showcased its digital ID solution for connected products, traceability and consumer engagement. The company has collaborated with French sustainable fragrance brand Bastille, whereby each of the brand’s products has a unique QR code which shows its location and date. The QR code connects to Atma.io, the company’s own product lab, for brands or retailers.
The product lab shows the carbon footprint for each part of the product’s journey to the consumer, how many times a product has been scanned, the top-scanned products and in which countries the product has been scanned. This real-time visibility enables brands or retailers to observe stock accuracy and thereby reduce waste. Consumers will only see what the brand or retailer wants to show. For Bastille, the technology provides transparency and traceability about its products’ ingredients, which it believes will encourage sales.
Centric Software presented its Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution, a centralized data platform that manages the complete lifecycle of cosmetics and personal-care products, from ideas to retail. It enables companies to streamline product development, ensure regulatory compliance, share accurate data instantly and improve collaboration among teams and with suppliers.
Organic cosmetics company Diva Flora showcased its unisex beauty products, soap and solid shampoo made with hemp.
The company’s formulation and sourcing take place locally in Nouvelle Aquitaine to reduce its carbon footprint. It uses degradable and compostable plant-based packaging with laser labelling and a traditional wax seal.
The packaging is also re-usable and stackable.
Diva Flora has designed an application based on blockchain technology. A QR code on the product will inform consumers of a product’s journey, including its sourcing with a presentation of the growers; the logistical means used; distribution channels; application advice; as well as the methods and means of recovering and returning the containers. Finally, the company uses a logistics approach that favors transport with a low carbon footprint (rail, carpooling and cargo bike). Diva Flora has partnered with French railway system, SNCF, to transport its products by high-speed train. The company’s target audience is luxury hotels and consumers.
Cosmetic 360 Award winners
The Cosmetic 360 show held its annual Award ceremony, which selected innovations from the show’s 250 exhibitors in six categories, as well as a Jury’s Favorite Award for the best CleanTech innovation. The Awards were judged by a jury of 14 journalists, including BW Confidential Editor in Chief Oonagh Phillips.
The winners were:
Special Jury’s Favorite Award on the Cleantech theme: INTACT REGENERATIVE, which produces pea-based ethanol for fragrances and cosmetics
Raw Materials Award: BIOWEG, which focuses on functional ingredients obtained by the fermentation of cellulose to replace solid microplastics and acrylic polymers
Formulation Award: TECHNATURE, which presented a heating and cleansing treatment in a solid stick form that transforms into milky emulsion upon rinsing
Testing & Analysis Award: SGS proderm, which showed a new skin imaging technique to evaluate the impact of anti-aging products on collagen
Packaging & Packing Award: DWS ENGRAVING, Laser Color engraving on leather
Brands & Retail Award: Diva Flora, a French skincare brand based on hemp derivatives, with a focus on eco-design.
Manufacturing Process & Services: SFE Process, which presented carbo-distillation for essential oils