Cosmoprof: Straight questions... Straight answers!

The organizers of Cosmoprof are approaching the end of 2025 and the first few months of 2026 with candor. “Yes,” competition between international trade shows specializing in the luxury and beauty sector continues to intensify, but “No,” the Group’s flagship events are not suffering, whether it be the latest edition of Cosmoprof Las Vegas, the upcoming Cosmoprof Hong Kong and Miami, or Cosmoprof Bologna, which will take place in March 2026. On the contrary! The waiting lists for exhibitors are growing steadily. The Covid slump seems a distant memory. However, it is true that the categories of exhibitors are changing in line with the current economic ups and downs.
The main advantage claimed by the organizers is the unrivalled international coverage that their trade shows offer to exhibitors and visitors alike. Even if other events, particularly in Europe, also claim this. We take stock with Antonia Benvegnu, Head of Sales Cosmopack Bologna, Asia and Americas at Bologna.

Your Las Vegas edition has just ended. How did it go and how does it differ from your upcoming Miami edition? Isn’t it the same continent, so the same exhibitors and visitors?

Antonia Benvegnu: Despite the uncertainties surrounding the current situation, particularly the political climate and tariff concerns, the outcome in Las Vegas was very positive overall: strong attendance, a strong international presence, and keen interest in innovation, sustainable development, and new product development. The US market remains very responsive and forward-thinking, particularly in the areas of clean beauty and emerging technologies. The United States remains one of the main markets for the cosmetics industry, and this trade show is the ideal platform. Las Vegas and Miami differ in many ways, from their geographical location to their calendar, and offer access to different markets: North America and Latin America. There is very little overlap between exhibitors and visitors: only 11% participate in both shows. This reflects the size and segmentation of the US market. In short, Las Vegas and Miami are complementary events that, together, allow us to fully explore the potential of the US market.

What is the outlook for the next edition in Hong Kong? European supplier participation seems to be declining every year.

Antonia Benvegnu: Cosmoprof Asia remains an essential platform for the Asia-Pacific region. As part of the Cosmoprof brand, the show reflects our global vision and I must say that we are satisfied with its performance. It reflects the current market dynamics: figures remain stable, confirming the vitality of the sector. Hong Kong retains its role as a central platform for networking and business in the region. That said, we have seen a slight decline in European participation, particularly among packaging and formulation suppliers. There are several reasons for this decline: changing business priorities, rising operating costs, and increased competition from Asian suppliers. Nevertheless, interest in the region remains strong and we continue to invest in making Cosmoprof Asia an essential platform for regional and international players.
With over 70,000 participants expected, the event will be the unmissable showcase for the latest innovations in the cosmetics sector, presenting the biggest launches in the Asia-Pacific market. It will host around 2,800 exhibitors from around the world, as well as some 20 country pavilions and international groups, showcasing cutting-edge products and services from key markets. Cosmoprof Asia spans two exhibition sites and covers all sectors of the beauty industry, from raw materials to branded finished products.
It must be said that the beauty market in Asia-Pacific is not just growing: it dominates the global sector, with a CAGR of 6.7% between 2023 and 2027 (Euromonitor International), surpassing North America (5.7%) and Europe (4.3%). A hub for innovation, digital transformation, and cutting-edge marketing, Asia is driving the future of beauty, with China, Korea, and Japan leading the way, while Singapore, China, and Korea are key export hubs. Hong Kong retains its role as a strategic business hub in Asia-Pacific (7th place worldwide for beauty product imports in 2024). For industry players looking to capture growth, discover groundbreaking innovations and establish key connections, Cosmoprof Asia is an essential platform.
Cosmoprof and Cosmopack Asia reflect the dynamic evolution of the beauty market in the Asia-Pacific region. Cosmopack Asia will showcase the best of the supply chain at AsiaWorld-Expo, located near the airport, from November 11 to 13. Its exhibition space has been reorganized to enrich the visitor experience. Two distinct sub-segments will guide buyers and brands: “OEM/ODM and Raw Materials” will focus on contract manufacturing and private label, as well as essential raw materials, while “Packaging and Machinery” will highlight advances in machinery and packaging solutions. Among the leading suppliers attending are Axilone, B.Kolormakeup, Baralan, Berlin Packaging, Chemicos, FSKorea, HCT by kdc/one, Heinz-Glas, Kolmar Korea Co. Ltd, Beautynova, Marchesini Group, MPlus, Omnicos, JM, Naturalps, SheenCol’or, Schwan Cosmetics International, SGD, and Woojung.

There will be a special focus on fragrances, one of the fastest-growing segments in the region. Already present at the show, fragrances will take center stage this year in a dedicated area consisting of two separate spaces: Fragrance Avenue, dedicated to consumer brands, and Explorers by Esxence, an exclusive space organized in collaboration with Esxence, the leading international event for artistic perfumery.
This is the first time that niche perfume companies will be featured at Cosmoprof Asia.
Zoom on Beauty is a space dedicated to independent and emerging brands offering a carefully selected but limited range of products and keen to explore business opportunities in the APAC market. These companies can participate in the event thanks to a customized format designed to support their first steps in the region.
Special attention will also be paid to sustainable development with the second edition of “Be Sustainable with Beauty.” This initiative, organized by SGS, a leader in product testing, certification, and safety, will highlight suppliers committed to sustainable practices. A rigorous selection of customer case studies, innovative solutions and eco-friendly products from Cosmopack Asia exhibitors will be chosen to inspire progress across the industry and encourage more responsible consumer behavior.
This year, the buyer program will welcome around 500 buyers from the event’s most strategic regions, including Asia-Pacific, ASEAN countries, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. This program will launch a new initiative, Elite Circle, designed to engage leading industry executives in exclusive, invitation-only seminars. These sessions will focus on current topics and offer valuable insights for adapting to changing market dynamics.
Another highlight will be CosmoLab, Cosmopack Asia’s immersive and interactive laboratory, where companies showcase the fusion of innovation, technology, and products. The 2025 edition will feature Intercos and Meiyume, two key players.
We will also launch BIFA (Beauty Ingredients & Formulation Asia) on November 11 and 12, co-organized with Cosmopack Asia. This dedicated event brings together global ingredient innovators, formulation experts, and senior industry leaders, responding to the strong demand for advanced cosmetic science and sustainable solutions in the booming Asian beauty market.

In Europe, Cosmoprof Bologna remains a major event for the beauty sector, but it seems that exhibitors, particularly those in the packaging sector, are also less present than in the past. Some companies in this sector attribute this to the development of other events in Europe. What is your opinion?

Antonia Benvegnu: In reality, Cosmopack has not lost its leading position as a trade show dedicated to the entire beauty supply chain. The figures speak for themselves: it remains the benchmark for the sector. Despite its name, Cosmopack is not limited to packaging: it covers the entire supply chain: ingredients and raw materials, primary packaging, OEM/ODM, accessories, processing and packaging machinery, labeling, and intralogistics. Compared to other events with a vertical positioning focused exclusively on packaging, we offer a broader platform. In addition, Cosmopack is truly international, with visitors from over 150 countries, while other events draw their strength mainly from local markets. That said, there is always room for improvement.

Looking at current trends in the global beauty industry, namely a slowdown in Europe and Asia while the US appears more dynamic, is this reflected in your events?

Antonia Benvegnu: We don’t entirely agree with this view. The US is certainly a dynamic and fast-moving market, but Europe remains strong – albeit with more moderate growth – and continues to be strategic in terms of volume and quality. European suppliers, in particular, are still considered industry leaders and remain highly innovative. So, while the dynamics may differ, all these regions continue to play a crucial role in the global beauty landscape.
For 2025, Euromonitor International forecasts sales of $610.4 billion, up 2.9% from 2024. Over the 2025-2029 period, the sector is expected to grow by an average of 3% per year.
The United States remains the world’s largest market, with a projected value of $126.3 billion in 2025 (+1.5% compared to 2024), followed by China with $75.9 billion (+1.7%) and Brazil with $34 billion (+5.9%). In a rapidly changing global context marked by shifting economic policies, Europe continues to play a key role, with Germany (5th, $24 billion), the United Kingdom (6th, $21.7 billion), France (9th, $17 billion) and Italy, whose exports are expected to reach $15.2 billion in 2025, up 3.4% year-on-year. Italy also remains among the world’s top six exporters, with exports reaching $8.4 billion in 2024.