South African Pavilion Showcases Natural and Active Ingredients at in-cosmetics Global 2026

South Africa made a significant impression at in-cosmetics Global 2026, in Paris, France, where the South African Pavilion served as a vibrant hub for showcasing the country’s strengths in natural and active ingredients, botanical extracts, and sustainable cosmetic innovation. The initiative was successfully organised and driven by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), with support from the Cosmetic Export Council of South Africa (CECOSA), WESGRO and SIPPO, whose coordinated efforts enabled South African companies to engage meaningfully with global buyers, importers and formulators, including various associations and certification bodies.

The pavilion highlighted South Africa’s unique biodiversity through a compelling display of high-value ingredients such as Rose geranium, Helichrysum, Marula and Baobab oils. These ingredients attracted strong interest from international formulators and importers, who are increasingly seeking sustainable, traceable, and high-performance raw materials.  South African companies demonstrated their capability to supply premium plant extracts and oils aligned with global demand for clean, ethical, and effective cosmetic ingredients.

Engagement Across Global Value Chains

The structured “walk-the-floor” through the targeted market intelligence intervention with joint support from SIPPO and the Import Promotion Desk (IPD) enabled South African Business Support Organizations (BSOs) and companies to engage with a wide network of international stakeholders, including leading formulators of fragrances, and cosmetic solutions, established importers and distributors of natural oils and extracts from Europe, Latin America, and Africa. With this valuable market intelligence gathered, the BSOs and companies are able to create tangible market access opportunities and thereby further integrate into global value chains.

Advancing Certification and Sustainability Standards

A strong emphasis was placed on certification and sustainability, with key interactions involving certification bodies. These engagements enhanced understanding of certification requirements and reinforced the importance of compliance in accessing European markets, including the value of the e-mark.  By speaking directly to the exhibitors about their quality control systems, the need for quality assurance, including organic certification, the Global Quality and Standards Programme – South Africa (GQSP-SA) also found value in attending the international trade fair.  Discussions around ethical sourcing, transparency, and human rights in wild-harvested ingredients further highlighted the sector’s commitment to responsible and inclusive growth. 

Positioning South Africa for Continued Growth & Market Access

South Africa successfully positioned itself as a competitive and reliable supplier of natural and active ingredients, reinforcing its role in the global cosmetics industry.  The interest in the South African Pavilion was further spotlighted on the in-cosmetics social media platform, which provided further visibility.  As a result of their active participation, the BSOs and companies are now better equipped with increased market awareness, strengthened buyer relationships, and improved export readiness.