Program

Although sustainability has come to the fore, few cosmetic and ingredient companies appear to be successful in implementing sustainability programs. One of the major reasons is the difficulty in measuring the footprint of products, companies and supply chains. To address this issue, the opening session hones in some of the various techniques companies are using to tackle the measurement issue.

Key speakers will discuss carbon footprints, life-cycle analysis of cosmetic products, sustainability metrics, resource optimization and retailers' perspectives. The session will adjourn with the panel discussing some of the advances in measurement approaches.

Rising prices and dwindling supply of petrochemicals is accelerating the move towards sustainable raw materials. Although there is growing use of plant-based materials, developing and using such raw materials is fraught with problems. This session discusses some of the major technical and formulation issues associated with green ingredients, covering feedstock, ingredients, to formulations of finished cosmetic products.

Topics on the agenda include de-commoditization of ingredients, innovations in agricultural raw materials, developments in natural emulsifiers & surfactants, novel actives and formulating functional sustainable cosmetics. The session ends with a panel discussion on alternatives to petrochemical feedstock.

Friday 18th May: Day Two

Session Three: Marketing & Distribution Innovations

Weak economic conditions, slowing market growth rates and rising competition are pushing marketing high on the agenda for green cosmetic brand owners. This session covers some of the important developments in marketing & distribution of sustainable cosmetics.

The opening keynote outlines the major marketing challenges faced by green cosmetic brands in the twenty-first century. The potential of mobile technology in meeting the informational needs of consumers, especially social and environmental footprints is highlighted. Other papers cover opportunities in the Asian organic skincare market, emerging distribution outlets for natural cosmetics, consumer behavior and retailer’s insights.

Session Four: CEO Roundtable

For the second consecutive year, this interactive session will bring together CEOs of leading green personal care firms to discuss key challenges they face. Topics on the roundtable agenda are tackling sustainability challenges, weakening economic conditions, competition and packaging. Delegates will have the opportunity to pose questions and discuss key challenges with the CEO panel.

Session Five: Sustainable Packaging Solutions

Although packaging has the highest environmental footprint of beauty products, it is often neglected when companies adopt sustainability initiatives. This session looks at the various ways cosmetic companies can reduce their packaging footprint.

Topics include packaging life-cycle analysis, eco-design, recycled packaging innovations, novel packaging materials, potential of bio-plastics and re-usable packaging. Case studies will be given of cosmetic brands that have introduced novel packaging solutions.

Saturday 19th May: Day Three

Workshop I: Formulating Paraben-Free Cosmetics

There is much controversy surrounding the use of parabens, however they remain some of the most cost-effective preservatives in cosmetic products. For many years, formulators have struggled to find preservatives that can effectively replace parabens, however a number of new alternative systems are now available.

This interactive workshop reviews the various preservative options available to cosmetic formulators and product developers looking to replace parabens. Examples are given of product formulations that use such alternative preservative systems, including novel ingredients. The performance and formulation issues associated with these alternatives systems / ingredients are described.
 

Workshop II: Sustainable Packaging for Cosmetic Products

Following on the theme of the final session of the conference, this workshop is a practical guide for cosmetic companies looking at adopting sustainable packaging solutions.

The workshop leader will compare and contrast the various ways cosmetic brands can reduce their packaging footprint. The various techniques and methods associated with sustainable packaging are discussed, including eco-designs, recycling and reusable packaging, biopolymer packaging, etc.

Please complete a registration form to receive the detailed conference program.