New technologies and novel green ingredients are the focal themes of the European edition of the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit that will take place in Paris on 21-23rd November 2012. The summit comprises a 2-day conference programme followed by an interactive workshop.

The summit will look at the impact of new technologies on the sustainable development of the cosmetics industry. Key speakers will discuss the controversy surrounding nanotechnology, biomimicry in cosmetics, novel extraction techniques, the potential of stem cell technology, and advances in biopolymers. The growing influence of mobile devices, social media and e-based distribution models will also be featured.

The summit will begin with a keynote on the growing complexity of the sustainability challenge faced by the beauty industry.Pressure on cosmetic companies is mounting as resources become increasingly scarce, raw material prices rise, yet retailers and consumers are demanding more transparency. In an industry that has historically received much negative media attention, consumers are increasingly questioning the ethical component of cosmetic products,” explain the organizers in a release.

Speakers from Guayapi, Expanscience, Ocean Basis, Yves Rocher, Marks & Spencer, Bulldog, Croda, Mibelle Biochemistry, will present their experience in implementing CSR principles and sustainability projects in their day-to-day business.

The marketing session will focus on major distribution and sales developments for green cosmetics, including an update on the European green cosmetics market, and growth projections and future outlook, as well as the impact of new technologies - such as social media, online retailing, and sustainable communications - in marketing and distribution.

Judi Beerling, Head of Technical Research at Organic Monitor, will round up the 3-day programme with a half-day workshop on sustainability and fragrances. The workshop will review the sustainable fragrance options available to formulators and will discusse the related technical problems.

More information is available from the event’s website: www.sustainablecosmeticssummit.com/Europe/