Beauty industry descended on Seoul: 97% visitor increase at in-cosmetics Korea 2016

The event, which took place earlier this month, was particularly popular domestically, with more than Korean 5,300 visitors - equating to an 81% increase - making use of the networking opportunity to seek out the latest innovations in ingredients and discover future trends, according to the event’s organisers.

Globally, the show had an even greater impact, attracting a 470% rise in international visitors. In total, in-cosmetics Korea welcomed 804 visitors (13% of the total attendees) from abroad, with a large number of formulators and R&D professionals among this group.

Most visitors attending from abroad came from China, Thailand and Japan, according to the event’s organisers, and were met by exhibitors from within Korea, and further afield too.

Visitor profiles​

Key names among Korean brands attended, including Able, AmorePacific, Coreanna, Cosmax, Kolmar, LG, Nature Republic and TonyMoly. Alongside these, international visitors from Amway, Beiersdorf, Estée Lauder, Henkel, J&J, Kimberley Clark, La Prairie, L’Oréal, LVHM, P&G, Shanghai Jahwa and Shiseido were in attendance.

Commenting on the event’s visitor profile, exhibitor Kelley Dwyer, SVP, Sales and Market Development at Floratech, said: “We welcomed hundreds of guests to our stand during in-cosmetics Korea. Our guests were mostly from Korea, but we received many visitors from many other important Asian markets, including Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and India.”​

Sarah Gibson, Exhibition Director for in-cosmetics Korea, said: “The Korean cosmetic market continues to make an impact on the global stage and is really becoming a region of major significance. As one of the world’s most important countries for R&D advancements, we will continue to bring our event to Korea for years to come.”​

Key figures​

Mirroring the increase in visitor attendance, the show hosted 10% more exhibitors, with a quarter new to the show. 219 ingredient suppliers showcased ingredients, including Croda, Lamberti and Neelikon, as well as major international suppliers like Akzo Nobel, Clariant, Dow Chemical, DSM and Wacker.

There was no shortage of home-grown innovation either: Korean exhibitors accounted for 38% of the floor space, including Bioland, Caregen, CQV and KCC.

The extensive educational programme - focusing on cosmetics science and technology, regulation, market trends and - was well-received by attending visitors. Halal was a key area in the spotlight, along with the major anti-ageing and whitening trends tipped to define the market going forward.

On the success of the show, Sarah Gibson, Exhibition Director, notes: “What is clear is that K-beauty products are now in the spotlight and there is some fantastic innovation originating from the region. We thank everyone who visited this year and has made this such a fantastic event.”​

The organisers announced during the show that in-cosmetics Korea 2017 will now be a 3-day event and will take place at Coex, Hall C, Seoul from 20 to 22 June 2017.