Cosmopack: innovating for tailor-made beauty

From 26 to 28 March in Bologna, a journey into the beating heart of the cosmetics production supply chain. Where sustainability and customisation have become indispensable watchwords

Davide Miserendino

Few events manage to offer visitors a comprehensive journey through an entire industry supply chain. Cosmoprof is one of them, thanks to its long-standing and valuable synergy with Cosmopack, which from Thursday 26 to Saturday 28 March will showcase, across five exhibition halls, the leading global players in ingredients, fragrances, machinery, automation, packaging, and contract manufacturing. The beating heart of this ‘show within a show’ is Hall 19, which will provide a privileged overview of the most advanced technologies for production and packaging. Antonia Benvegnù, who for many years has held the role of Head of Sales Cosmopack Bologna, Asia and Americas with elegance and expertise, tells us what to expect from the 2026 edition, now just around the corner.

Once again this year, Cosmopack plays a leading role within Cosmoprof. What are the main trends emerging from the cosmetics production supply chain?
“Cosmopack represents the beating heart of the cosmetics production supply chain and, in 2026 as well, continues to observe, interpret and anticipate the sector’s key developments. It is the complementary and indispensable link within Cosmoprof: the place where manufacturing companies present solutions and innovations related to production processes, formulation, and packaging. 
Today, the cosmetics industry is moving along several trajectories. On the one hand, there is a strong drive towards sustainability, with recyclable packaging, refillable systems and low environmental-impact materials; on the other, a growing focus on product customisation, formulation quality, and the integration of automation and digitalisation technologies within production processes.
Alongside these macro-trends, we are working to give greater visibility to specific clusters within the key product categories. I am thinking, for example, of solid cosmetics in the contract manufacturing segment, scent marketing as a development area within Ingredients & Fragrances, or logistics and warehouse management in the machinery and automation sector. These are areas not yet fully explored by the beauty industry, but set to grow rapidly, as they are capable of delivering tangible improvements in productivity and economic efficiency”.

Is participation by companies manufacturing packaging technologies increasing? What do you expect this year?
“Participation by companies specialising in technologies and machinery continues to grow steadily. This year again, Hall 19 will host advanced solutions for filling, packaging, automation, robotics, and digital services. Interest remains high because these technologies address very concrete brand needs: optimising production processes, ensuring high quality standards, reducing waste, and limiting environmental impact. Visitors will also be able to discover increasingly smart and interconnected applications, capable of combining production efficiency with sustainability – elements that have now become indispensable in the strategies of the global cosmetics industry”.

Are there any notable new developments in the exhibition layout?
“The exhibition layout and the reference macro-sectors remain aligned with a model that is now well established and has proven its effectiveness over time. The Cosmopack concept continues to provide a comprehensive representation of the entire production supply chain: from ingredients and fragrances to contract manufacturing, from primary and secondary packaging to beauty accessories, and through to the areas dedicated to processes, packaging, automation and quality control. The main new features of the 2026 edition primarily concern tools designed to enhance the visitor experience, facilitating the matching of supply and demand and providing clearer orientation within the vast supply chain offering. Alongside the official app and QR Code Readers, Cosmopack is introducing two pilot projects that run counter to the digital trend. The first is a paper map dedicated exclusively to Cosmopack, rich in practical information; the second is a more experiential format centred on direct interaction, with guided tours designed to highlight the most tangible innovations emerging from the Cosmopack Awards applications. As this is a testing phase, the project will involve two halls and a selected number of companies”.

Cosmoprof is an event attracting global attention. From how many countries do exhibitors come? Which are the most strongly represented, and which are growing the fastest?
“Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2026 will host exhibitors from more than 60 countries, reaffirming its role as a global benchmark platform for the beauty industry. One particularly significant aspect of the 2026 edition is the renewed strategic focus on the Middle East. For the first time, we have been able to confirm dates outside the Ramadan period, with the aim of encouraging broader and more qualified participation from MENA countries, both in terms of exhibitors, buyers and professional operators. This decision further strengthens Cosmoprof’s role as an international hub for business and networking. As far as Cosmopack is concerned, the event confirms a solid and highly loyal exhibitor base, with a stable international presence, consistent with previous editions. The high exhibitor reconfirmation rate is clear evidence of the platform’s quality and its ability to respond effectively to the industry’s needs, consolidating Cosmopack’s positioning as a global point of reference for the beauty production supply chain”.

Today, cosmetic products are increasingly seen as addressing deeper needs: wellbeing, self-care, personalisation, prevention, and health. How important is it to meet these expectations?
“Meeting these needs has become essential. Consumers are no longer looking solely for aesthetic results, but for products capable of integrating wellbeing, self-care, and personalisation. This shift is clearly reflected across the production supply chain, where innovative ingredients, targeted formulations, and packaging technologies are increasingly designed to address specific needs. Cosmopack plays a key role as a meeting point between supply and demand, enabling brands to identify solutions that can meet these expectations without compromising on performance, safety, or innovation”.

From biotech formulations to refillable and recyclable products: how is the demand for sustainability evolving within the sector?
“Sustainability has now become one of the main drivers of innovation across the entire cosmetics supply chain. At Cosmopack, we are seeing steady growth in solutions aimed at reducing environmental impact: recyclable packaging, mono-material products, refillable systems, and resource-efficient production technologies. At the same time, many companies are proposing integrated approaches that combine sustainability with digitalisation, such as traceability systems and smart packaging. This evolution responds not only to regulatory and market requirements, but also to the expectations of increasingly aware consumers who are paying closer attention to the environmental impact of their choices”.