The curtain has officially closed on the 56th edition of Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, held from March 20 to 23, 2025—and the numbers speak volumes. With over 255,000 professionals in attendance (+4.5% vs. 2024), 3,128 companies from 65 countries, and 29 national pavilions, the show reaffirmed its position as the world’s premier event for the cosmetics industry. It wasn’t just a celebration of beauty—it was a strategic hub for business, innovation, and global collaboration.
Cosmoprof trade fair: Global Presence and Market Reach
This year’s Cosmoprof registered a notable international footprint: 78% of the exhibiting companies were from outside Italy, and the show welcomed over 80 delegations of importers, distributors, and key retailers thanks to strategic partnerships with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ITA – Italian Trade Agency.
Among the newest entries were national pavilions from California and Tunisia, while markets like Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa were in the spotlight due to growing commercial interest and new ITA offices in Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal. In parallel, Italian cosmetic exports surged to nearly €8.4 billion, continuing to drive over 40% of the sector’s revenue. Italy also reinforced its global leadership in makeup manufacturing, producing 67% of the makeup used in Europe and 55% globally.
We have been there and…
… here are some opinions on this 2025 edition!We have been there and…
1) The idea of bringing together all the players in the supply chain in pavilions 19 and 20 was a winning one: in the 2024 edition, Cosmopack was on the second floor of the pavilion, while the first floor was occupied by cosmetics companies. Guess which of the two floors was full of people and which was almost empty? That’s right! On the other hand, it wouldn’t have been a good idea to give up on characterising a place dedicated to packaging companies, because it’s not enough to have more footfall, it’s important to attract the right kind of people, those interested in BtoB dynamics (let’s not forget that the fair is open to the public for 2 days… and we’ll spare you the madness of those days!). Bringing together all the players in the supply chain was the best decision because it allowed us to enhance the value of the supply chain without unnecessarily ‘breaking’ it, and it facilitated the process for visitors who were really interested, also giving them the opportunity to discover new realities.
2) Let’s face it: the organisation of the fair could be improved. From a security point of view (especially at the entrance…), in the facilities (access to the bathrooms is complicated, there are insufficient refreshment points for the high number of participants, even if they have improved compared to the previous edition). The transport links between the station and Fiere Bologna are also still insufficient for the size of this event, even if the roadworks in progress along the road give good hope for the next edition.
3) There was a great energy and desire to network, which testifies to the vitality of the sector. A difference compared to the past is perhaps in the green footprint, always present, especially at Cosmopack, but less ‘shouted’ and more oriented towards concrete solutions.
Expanded Space and Strategic Layout (also for Cosmetic Packaging)
The fair expanded by 5.8%, exceeding 170,000 sqm of exhibition space. For the second year, all pavilions opened simultaneously on March 20, a format designed to foster synergy between sectors—from packaging and ingredients to finished products and retail.
A redesigned layout aimed to support the event’s increasingly international and diversified audience, enhancing cross-sector networking and product discovery. These improvements, combined with the upgraded IT systems and a new marketing cloud, led to a 12.4% increase in new leads, particularly from North America (+16%), Europe (+13.6%), the Middle East (+20.4%), and Africa (+23.7%).
Highlights from Cosmopack
Cosmopack 2025, dedicated to the beauty supply chain, hosted 596 companies from 34 countries and saw strong growth in machinery, robotics, and digital services. Pavilion 19 became the nucleus of innovation in packaging and manufacturing, welcoming over 90 exhibitors in the machinery segment alone.
This surge in participation reflects broader shifts in the beauty sector: sustainability, automation, and efficiency are no longer optional—they’re expected. Cosmopack showcased not just technologies, but the future of scalable, ethical beauty production.
Key Trends and Insights from the Beauty World
Trend forecasting was once again a highlight. The CosmoTrends Report, curated by BEAUTYSTREAMS, captured the pulse of the industry with key insights across emerging brands. From AI-powered beauty tech to minimalist formulations and wellness-infused skincare, the trends weren’t just about aesthetics—they reflected deeper lifestyle and consumer shifts.
Educational panels, live demos, and networking sessions were abundant, offering both tactical takeaways and big-picture strategy for brands navigating post-pandemic consumer behavior, regulatory challenges, and sustainability demands.
A Show Rooted in Made in Italy Excellence
Beyond the numbers and innovations, Cosmoprof 2025 championed Italy’s cosmetic heritage. Cosmetica Italia, present with a dedicated installation, underscored the sector’s growing economic importance. In 2024, Italian cosmetics generated €16.5 billion in revenue (+9%) and contributed 1.31% to the national GDP.
“Italian cosmetic manufacturing is widely recognised for innovation, quality, and tradition,” said Benedetto Lavino, President of Cosmetica Italia. “Our sector is not just about beauty—it’s a pillar of Made in Italy excellence.”
Cosmoprof: Looking Ahead
Cosmoprof Bologna continues to act as a launchpad for brands and a magnet for innovation. The 2025 edition has proven that the future of beauty is not only global and connected, but increasingly conscious, tech-driven, and resilient. As Gianpiero Calzolari, President of BolognaFiere, remarked, “Cosmoprof is the jewel of our country—an unparalleled meeting point for supply and demand in the cosmetic world.”
With new markets rising, digital tools reshaping business, and sustainability driving change, Cosmoprof has once again delivered a 360° vision of what’s next for beauty.
Previous Coverage
- Cosmoprof Bologna 2025: All Eyes on Packaging at Cosmopack
- Cosmoprof 2025: Highlights Ahead of the Fair
