Cosmoprof Asia 2016 names first Innovation Circle Award winners

Cosmoprof Asia 2016 saw 650 new companies attend its two-venue event and inaugural Innovation Circle Awards.

Held in two venues, the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) covered packaging, ingredients and processing equipment between 15th - 17th November 2016, while the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) demonstrated the latest in finished cosmetics from 16th - 18th November 2016.

Cosmoprof in numbers

This year’s total number of exhibitors, which reached 2,698 from 49 countries and regions, saw a variety of highlights that showed the event's focus on innovation and education.

AWE welcomed 732 companies from 19 countries at its exhibition stands, while the HKCEC saw 1,966 companies from 49 countries enter through its doors.

A host of APAC countries hosted national pavilions, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.  

Nations from all over the world showcased their cosmetics contributions at Cosmoprof Asia 2016's 24 national and group pavilions, which Bulgaria and Latvia featured in for the first time.

Cosmoprof Asia 2016 saw a 21% increase in the number of trade visitors attending the event compared to last year, with the final count totalling 76,818 from 129 countries and regions.

Inaugural Innovation Awards

2016 marked the event’s very first Innovation Circle Awards. In partnership with globally-recognised Beautystreams, the awards provided an opportunity to celebrate innovative packaging, design and formula.

The judging panel comprised of industry experts from cosmetics and beauty giants AmorePacific, Centdegrés, L’Oreal, Marie Dalgar, Martha Tilaar Group and NYX Cosmetics, who selected the winners of the six categories.

First Innovation Winners

  • Colour Cosmetics

Italian B.kolormakeup & Skincare S.r.l took home the award in the colour cosmetics category for their Glossy Baked cosmetics range.  Marketed as a shimmering highlighting powder, the product has evolved with a new image and functionality.  The product, which aims to create a completely even finish, contains a mix of shades for accuracy and quality.

  • Skin Care

Hong-Kong based SinoMach Technologies showcased its Solid Essence, which utilises advanced technology to present an innovative skin care product and application that answers growing consumer demand.

  • Hair

Pennelli Faro S.r.l was presented with the Hair award for its vegan geometric hair care brush collection. Developed and launched in 2016, the brush collection aims to control the amount of collected product by using a precise and delicate application. The brushes are nickel free and include textured printing on the handle grip surface for secure handling.

  • Nail

ICC Italy won the award for its Flower Nail Care range, which uses selected raw materials, advanced technologies and highly technological production and packaging equipment through its research and development laboratory. It focused on new ingredients including resins, pearls and pigments, new polish formulations, as well as colours and effects to win the prize.

  • Primary Packaging

HCT Group scooped the innovative packaging award for its Curator Lash Instrument. Art, creativity and functionality were combined to engineer the bristle and brush-free tool. It utilises high precision threading and a sleek stainless steel tip to give a full 360° range to coat lashes.

  • Secondary Packaging

Yichang Lihao Color Packaging was awarded the coveted prize for its 3D Vivid Packaging box. Lihao introduced its patented advanced 3D lenticular printing technology, which produces a fully animated printed technology.

Event highlights

At this year’s Cosmoprof, the focus was placed on building connections and appeal through unique innovative creations that exude high-quality and aesthetic style.

The Lipstick Factory was also a highlight at this year’s event, as leading Italian exhibitors - Brivaplast (packaging), Chromavis (formulation) and Vetraco (machinery) - gave away 8,000 complimentary pieces of “Cosmoprof Asia Limited-Edition Lipstick” in four shapes and textures.

The Extraordinary Gallery in the HKCEC enabled brands from around the world to use the Asian stage to demonstrate their newly launched and evolved product ranges.

Donations were made to the  Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation at the third edition of Boutique in the HKCEC, which enabled visitors to “shop for charity”.  

Over 30 educational sessions were hosted by experts speakers from around the world. The World Asia Forum, held across both venues, provided education and innovation insights to attendees. A wide variety of prevalent topics were discussed, including the latest ingredients, technologies and packaging to help drive product development in AWE. The HKCEC housed discussions on the latest trends and developments in products, branding and marketing.  

“The plethora of networking events, impressive showcases of innovative products and our exceptional commitment to service and delivery excellence has taken Cosmoprof Asia into a new epoch with its 21st edition,” said Roberto Kerkoc, Vice President, BolognaFiere S.p.A.