In-cosmetics Asia Grew Despite Thai Floods

In-cosmetics Asia 2011, held in Thailand, welcomed 3,865 people from 53 countries over the course of three days. Despite floods that  led to the postponement of the original event, 1,040 visitors traveled from abroad. The number of exhibiting companies grew 13% (266 companies from 29 countries) over the number of exhibitors at the 2010 event.

Following up its previous success, the Innovation Zone returned in a new format, which utilized more than 30 display boxes to highlight some of the latest ingredients. Companies showcased in Innovation Zone and that used the event as a launch platform for new offerings included Bioland with BIO-FRGE, an extract of Korean Red Ginseng fermented by Kimchi Lactobacillus for anti-aging; Brenntag Specialties Inc, which introduced Soft Sphere LL 8210–Lauroyl Lysine Modified, a spherical-shaped fine silica powder designed to impart smoothness and fine touch to cosmetics; and Rhodia, which introduced Rheomerâ33, a rheology modifying polymer for personal cleansing solutions.

The Innovation Zone Best Ingredient Award, which recognizes the development of a novel active or functional ingredient with demonstrable benefits compared to existing ingredients. Eight finalists were announced before the show, with three winners selected by a panel of industry experts. Lonza Ltd won the Gold for ReGeniStem Red Rice, a sustainable anti-aging active derived from Himalayan Red Rice cultivated in a bioreactor. It claimed the top spot for its high material efficiency, sustainability and innovation. Silver prize went to Lipotec with Adifyline, a novel hexapeptide for products designed to offer a younger looking appearance; and Bronze to Unipex with Capixyl, an active complex designed to prevent and stop hair loss process and stimulate hair growth.

The 2011 also introduced a series of 30-minute ingredient demonstrations from exhibitors (including DSM Nutritional Products, Galaxy Surfactants, Indena and Merck), and Mintel Beauty and Personal Care also organized daily demonstrations around the theme "Air, Water, Earth—Beauty Innovation and the Elements," where visitors could touch, feel and try the latest beauty products incorporating oxygen, carbon, water and other earthly elements as ingredients.

The educational program featured the Formulation Workshops and Marketing Trends Presentations. Among the highlights, Formulating with Fragrances provided an insight into how companies can create and market desirable scents, a session that was extremely well attended.

A series of theoretical and practical Innovation Seminars proved popular with Thai visitors, with one in four attendees coming from the local region. The seminars delved into subjects such as "Five Years Younger in Four Weeks—Is That Possible?," presented by Barbara Obermayer, product manager cosmetic actives, RAHN AG; and "New Options in Optimizing Sun Care Product Performance," delivered by Dennis Wong of Lubrizol Advanced Materials Asia Pacific Ltd.

"The terrible flooding in Thailand significantly affected business throughout the entire region and provided us with a unique challenge to overcome at the 2011 show," said Sarah Gibson, event director, In-cosmetics Asia. "We would like to extend our gratitude to all exhibitors and visitors who contributed to the rescheduled event. Without their commitment, it would not have been possible to provide such a productive program of events. We’re delighted that so many visitors concluded 2011 on a high by sharing with us the future of the personal care ingredients sector.”

In-cosmetics Asia 2012 will be held November 6–8 in Bangkok.

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