Go4Cosmetics is a platform that aims to generate new interactions between European players in the cosmetics industry. Its official launch took place at the end of the perfumery and cosmetics industry summit held in Paris in October.
Strengthening the leadership of the European cosmetics industry
The cosmetics industry is a rapidly expanding sector on a global scale and represents a key commercial, scientific and social challenge for the European economy. According to Market Performance, the cosmetics market in Europe was estimated at 79.8 billion euros in 2019 with 1.8 million people employed and 30,000 scientists in the R&D sector. With the recognition of a large public adept of Made in France or the reputation of products made in Italy, the European industry must however rethink and modernize its industrial processes. This is particularly important in order to increase its presence in fast-growing foreign markets, such as Asia.
To enable the European cosmetics ecosystem to establish its position in this highly competitive market, the Centre-Val de Loire region and the Lombardy region are supporting the creation of a European cosmetics network, labeled in June 2021 by the European Commission, as part of the platform of intelligent specialization for industrial modernization (S3). This network named Go4Cosmetics will be implemented and coordinated by Cosmetic Valley, DEV'UP Centre-Val de Loire, REI - Reindustria Innovazione, Cosmetica Italia and Polo Della Cosmesi.
Five other territories have joined the dynamic: Catalonia (Spain), the Centre region (Portugal), the North-West (Romania), Olomouc (Czech Republic) and Sardinia (Italy).
This cooperation is a new strategic step for the ecosystem players already united in the European Global Cosmetics Cluster - Europe*. The Go4Cosmetics platform is based on taking into account the entire value chain present in Europe - from suppliers to consumers and research - to create new cooperations, both in terms of investments and innovation and experience sharing, while taking stock of the latest scientific research results.
It will also be a way to promote the interests of the cosmetics industry to European institutions and to highlight public policies related to the digital and ecological transition.
Three priorities have been identified to support cosmetics companies
Thus, Go4Cosmetics will promote the development of the entire cosmetics value chain through a trans-regional approach and the involvement of all relevant stakeholders.
The partnership will play a central role in identifying and linking complementary expertise to create new solutions and business models to strengthen the competitiveness of the cosmetics sector, stimulate its sustainable growth and accelerate the transition.
The partners have thus defined three priorities:
- Digital transition: by supporting industrial modernization projects to make the cosmetics industry stronger and more agile, in conjunction with other support mechanisms such as the EDIH (European Digital Innovation Hub) project, the European Digital Strategy or the Recovery Plan program.
- Ecological transition: by supporting initiatives related to the circular economy, waste management and the implementation of the objectives of the Green Pact for Europe and the Recovery Plan.
- Information for consumers and citizens: by promoting the assets of the regions and the attractiveness of the cosmetics industry, by informing consumers about the values and know-how of the sector while developing wellness tourism.
By capitalizing on the potential of the European cosmetics ecosystem, the Go4Cosmetics platform will facilitate and extend the capacity for investment in innovation, enable companies to optimize resources and make savings. Taking into account the environmental and digital transitions will allow all actors in the chain to gain competitiveness and establish sustainable growth.
Official launch at the Cosmetic 360 international trade show
The official launch of the Go4Cosmetics platform took place on Thursday, October 14, 2021, during the Summit of the perfumery and cosmetics industry, scheduled in parallel with the Cosmetic 360 trade show organized by Cosmetic Valley, at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. The device was presented to industry players during the roundtable "The European strategy for innovation and internationalization of companies" in which participated François Bonneau, President of the Region Centre-Val de Loire, DEV'UP Centre-Val de Loire and Vice President of Regions of France; Anne Besnier, VP for Higher Education, Research and Innovation of the Centre Val de Loire Region; Fabrizio Sala, Minister of Education, Higher Education, Research and Innovation of the Lombardy Region; Christophe Masson, CEO of Cosmetic Valley; Renato Ancorotti, President of Cosmetica Italia and Matteo Moretti, President of Polo Cosmesi.
On this occasion, the two lead regions formalized their coordination and collaboration by signing a memorandum of understanding. The organizing committee met the next day, Friday, October 15, to define the implementation modalities and the action plan of this new structure.
*Coordinated by Cosmetic Valley, Global Cosmetics Cluster - Europe (GCC.EU) brings together six European cosmetics clusters and is supported by the Cosme program. This European Commission program finances actions directly led by the clusters to support the internationalization of their SMEs and facilitate their access to new markets.
The acceleration program dedicated to cosmetic SMEs is spread over 24 months until the end of August 2022. It includes four components: market knowledge; skills development (training on internationalization and awareness, coaching ...); business development and partnership (market place, benchmarking missions and BtoB events); financing opportunities.
