Quality Aust cosmetics showcased to rest of the world and EU

Austrade’s Milan-based business development manager Rachel Kelly said beauty is big business, and Australian expertise could tap into an increasing international desire for quality cosmetics.

“Australia’s exports of cosmetics and beauty products have achieved consistent growth and were worth over A$338 million last year,” Kelly said.

“Cosmoprof has been the premier event on the international beauty calendar for more than four decades. In 2007 it attracted 145,000 visitors and is considered the undisputed meeting-place for the industry’s leading international players,” Ms Kelly said.

“More than 2100 exhibitors showcased their goods and services in 2007, and with over half internationally based, the significance of Cosmoprof Bologna to the global beauty business is unparalleled,” Kelly said.

With Cosmoprof Bologna boasting more than 15,000 square metres of total display area, Austrade has taken the opportunity to increase the exhibition space offered to Australian participants in 2008.

Globally renowned skin specialist and personal beauty therapist Michelle Peck, whose clients include Hollywood A-list elites such as Madonna, will be on hand to help promote the innovative hyperbaric oxygen technology of Melbourne’s Intraceuticals.

Before Madonna appears in public to greet her legion of fans, Peck administers a hydrating oxygen treatment using Intraceuticals Australian-developed technology to help the 49-year old superstar maintain her youthful appearance. The pop diva has been so enamoured with the results she has purchased three of Intraceuticals’ oxygen machines for homes in New York, LA and London.

More than a thousand clinics worldwide are using Intraceuticals products to help a growing number of women look and feel younger.

Kelly said that like Intraceuticals, the diverse range of companies attending Cosmoprof Bologna this year demonstrates how Australian innovation and excellence in cosmetics and beauty therapies could foster new business in Europe and around the world.

“South Australia’s Eco.kid produce organic hair and body products in what was once a niche consumer segment, but is now rapidly growing and gaining wider popularity. Their products are free from fragrances, colours, synthetics and potentially harmful chemicals,” Kelly said.  

“Australian exhibitors will also offer the latest in technological developments in beauty, with Victoria’s Advanced Skin Technology exhibiting a range of leading-edge cosmeceuticals combining advancements in medical science with the purist of natural ingredients,” Kelly said.

Canberra’s globally recognised innovators SunFX, whose sunless tanning products are used by celebrities around the world, and Sydney’s the Purist Company, creators of botanically active, pure, paraben and sulphate free, skin, hair and body care products, will also be amongst the companies showcasing their capabilities.

Other exhibitors include professional hair and beauty company Artav (QLD), skin product specialists Australian Skin Active Products (QLD), innovative depilatory and hair dye product creators Chemcorp (NSW), and advanced hair care specialists RPR Haircare (VIC).

In 2006-07 Austrade helped 109 cosmetics companies achieve 229 deals worth A$19.5 million in export outcomes. Over the same period, 39 Australian cosmetics companies received A$1.65m support under the Export Market Development Grants scheme, winning A$21.5m dollars in international deals.