CosmeticBusiness 2026 showcased the future of the industry
Two days packed with innovations, inspiring discussions and fresh ideas for the cosmetic products of tomorrow: on 10 and 11 June 2026, CosmeticBusiness once again brought together the international supply industry for the cosmetics sector at the MOC in Munich. 371 exhibitors and companies from 28 countries presented their products and services relating to the development, filling and packaging of cosmetics. With the new GREEN AREA, the SPOTLIGHT novelty show and a varied programme, the industry’s future-oriented topics came even more sharply into focus.
Whether plant-based active ingredients in formulations, improved absorption of active ingredients via microneedles, or sustainable packaging solutions focused on material reduction, refills or the use of recycled materials as the key to a circular economy – the international supplier event for cosmetics development, from ingredients to packaging, demonstrated through its exhibition and professional programme which topics are driving the industry and which solutions will shape the cosmetics of tomorrow.
“CosmeticBusiness has once again impressively demonstrated its relevance to the cosmetics industry. In a market undergoing significant change due to new regulatory requirements, shifting consumer expectations and the demand for greater sustainability, CosmeticBusiness offers guidance, opportunities for exchange and concrete solutions. It is therefore far more than just an industry gathering, it is a platform where the future of cosmetics development comes into focus,” says Markus Geisenberger, Managing Director of Leipziger Messe.
“With the GREEN AREA, we have created a new section that puts the spotlight on sustainable solutions from the industry. This is precisely the kind of dialogue the industry needs in order to jointly develop future-oriented topics,” says Ivonne Simons, Project Director of CosmeticBusiness.
A platform for exchange, guidance and new partnerships
In a survey conducted by the independent market research firm Gelszus Messe-Marktforschung, 90 per cent of exhibitors rated their achievement of objectives as positive. The professional expertise of the visitors was rated as particularly high by 93 per cent of respondents, as was the quality of the contacts and discussions by 91 per cent. Overall, 8 out of 10 exhibitors expect good post-fair business.
Claudia Cabalou, Key Account Manager at CARECOS Kosmetik GmbH, sums it up: “We made many interesting new contacts and, at the same time, saw a high number of existing customers who came specifically to find out about new products. The discussions were, on the whole, very focused. Visitors came to us with specific questions and their own projects, which meant the quality of the exchanges was very high. Despite the challenging economic situation, I still sense a great openness to new products and developments. At the same time, there is a very careful assessment of which quantities and concepts match the demand.”
First-time exhibitor Velvety Manufaktur GmbH is also impressed by the quality of the contacts at their stand: “We are very satisfied with the trade fair and extremely pleasantly surprised. Despite the current challenging global market situation, we had a very good turnout at our stand and reached exactly the target group that is relevant to us. The visitors were knowledgeable, and the quality of the discussions was very high,” says Patrick Schatzer, Managing Director of Velvety Manufaktur GmbH.
Mégane Bereyziat, Cosmetics Product Manager at texen / Quadpack, also looks back on CosmeticBusiness with great satisfaction: “The first day was incredibly positive, with higher visitor numbers than expected and very high-quality conversations. We are seeing a strong demand for ready-to-go products; many visitors are actively looking for innovative solutions that can be launched and sold quickly. For the German market, as well as regions like Switzerland, it is clear that local production, a lower carbon footprint, and sustainable products are becoming increasingly important.”
Wim Pulskens, CCO at Total Packaging B.V., emphasises: “Overall, we had good discussions with relevant prospects and even received quotation requests, which is a very positive sign for us. The conversations also reflected the key topics currently shaping the packaging market. Many visitors were looking for guidance on PPWR and what the new regulation will mean from 2030 onwards, particularly for gift sets and future packaging requirements. We also discussed the growing interest in bringing production back from the Far East to Europe, as well as the ongoing price pressure in the market. Companies are clearly looking for reliable, economically attractive alternatives.”
Start-ups focus on AI tools
In the Start-up Area, young companies presented their technologies and solutions for the industry. Among them were, for example, Eyva from Cologne, which aims to transform product development with its AI-powered solution, and TheaCare from Berlin. The start-up presented its AI skin analysis software tool. “Even after the first day of the trade fair, we had many fruitful discussions, particularly on the topics of personalisation, transparency and trust, because trust is crucial, especially when it comes to AI,” says Dr Suzan Stürmer, founder of the start-up TheaCare GmbH.
International trade visitors give a positive assessment
Visitors, 25 per cent of whom travelled from abroad, also gave a positive assessment. In a survey conducted during the event, 8 out of 10 respondents stated that the visit had been worthwhile and that they would return next year. The number of top decision-makers was also high. Two-thirds of this year’s visitors have a significant influence on purchasing decisions within their companies. In total, visitors travelled to Munich from 50 countries. Most of them came from Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Italy and the Netherlands.
This year, the visitors’ main objectives included gathering information on new products and industry trends, as well as maintaining and establishing business contacts. Around half of the visitors were particularly interested in the packaging exhibition area, whilst other relevant areas included contract manufacturing, private label and ingredients. The industry outlook for the next 12 months is generally considered to be stable.
Christine Steger, Managing Director at MANN & SCHRÖDER COSMETICS GROUP, says: “CosmeticBusiness is an important industry meeting place for us. We value the trade fair as a platform where the entire value chain comes together. It is precisely this exchange on an equal footing – between brands, manufacturers, suppliers and innovation drivers – that makes the trade fair particularly valuable to me.”
GREEN AREA strengthens focus on sustainability
With the new GREEN AREA, CosmeticBusiness has further sharpened its thematic profile and sent a strong signal regarding sustainable future issues. The dedicated area in Hall 2 provided space for exchange, knowledge transfer, discussion and inspiration. The focus was on sustainable solutions, best practices and forward-looking ideas for the cosmetics industry. The topics were structured with a practical focus. On the first day of the supplier event, the focus was on ingredients and formulations; on the second day, on packaging solutions.
The GREEN AREA made it clear that sustainability is no longer an isolated issue, but shapes the entire product development process. Through presentations, panel discussions, Green Stories and guided sustainability tours, participants explored how companies can translate regulatory requirements, the circular economy, resource-efficient materials and credible sustainability communication into concrete solutions. The GREEN AREA was hosted by NATRUE from Brussels and oneRD from Zurich, who supported the programme and deepened the technical dialogue with the industry.
“For me, CosmeticBusiness is important because it’s where everything comes together: raw material suppliers, packaging manufacturers and producers. There is a great deal of interest in solutions, particularly with regard to issues such as the Green Deal and the PPWR, which are transforming the industry and making collaboration even more important. I see CosmeticBusiness as being in a position to foster people, ideas, expertise and collaboration, as well as actively driving the industry forward. The Green Area is, of course, ideal for this, particularly when it comes to sustainability, as it promotes innovation and cooperation in equal measure,” says Judith Fiedler, Managing Director at oneRD GmbH and Head of Research and Development at Steinfels Swiss.
SPOTLIGHT Community Award actively engages the industry
Once again, a particular highlight was the presentation of the SPOTLIGHT Community Award on the second day of the supplier event. The CosmeticBusiness community selected its favourite from a total of 24 entries.
The products and solutions submitted reflected the entire spectrum of the value chain – from new ingredients and formulation concepts to sustainable and eye-catching packaging solutions for the point of sale. The winner of the second SPOTLIGHT Community Award is Croda GmbH with its pro-ageing collagen peptide Matrixyl® Neolide™.
Dates for CosmeticBusiness 2027
The next CosmeticBusiness will take place from 2 to 3 June 2027 at the MOC in Munich. Rebooking has already begun, and the first stand spaces for CosmeticBusiness 2027 have already been allocated.
