The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (ELC) today announced the opening of the Estée Lauder Companies Asia Innovation Center, located in Shanghai, China which is a new innovation centre aimed at expanding the company’s existing research capabilities to developing products tailored to the specific needs of Chinese and Asian skin.

The new centre will explore the genetic basis for differences in the response of human skin to environmental stressors and study the safety and efficacy of topical botanical and synthetic materials in order to develop products of the highest quality standards for the Company’s great brands.

Fabrizio Freda, President and Ceo, Harvey Gedeon, Executive Vice President, Research and Development, and Cedric Prouvé, Group President, International attended the Asia Innovation Center’s official inauguration with Fabrice Weber, President, for ELC Asia Pacific, Carol Shen, General Manager and Jing Cheng, Senior Director, Research and Development for ELC in China.

VERY HIGH STANDARDS
“Chinese consumers have very high standards regarding their skin care and serve as an inspiration to us in developing world-class products specifically tailored to Chinese and Asian skin,” said Fabrizio Freda. 

“We are bringing to China the best technologies from the US and combining them with top Chinese scientists and researchers. Through this collaboration, we are gaining critical consumer insights in China, closest to the most demanding consumers who have the highest expectations for beautiful skin and sophisticated, innovative skin care regimes. 

“As a result, we will be able to create even better products for consumers in China and around the world.”

ELC first entered China in 1993 and successfully opened its first research lab in 2005. Since that time, the company says it has been committed to serving consumers in this region by investing resources in research and development, consumer insights and branding capabilities.

SKINCARE DOMINATES IN CHINA
“Skin care represents two-thirds of prestige beauty in China. To have a facility right in the heart of this very important region – a region particularly focused on high-performance products and safety – will drive our creativity on all levels,” said Carol Shen. “We are committed to our efforts in China and believe the region will continue to be a major growth opportunity for the Company as well as providing world-class products to Chinese consumers.”

In addition to ‘outstanding scientific and consumer research’, the Estée Lauder Companies Asia Innovation Center will focus on the Company’s unique Green Chemistry programme, which is the design and implementation of innovative processes to make products more environmentally sustainable. 

ELC says the programme examines the full life cycle of a product, from conception to end-user and beyond. The company’s Green Chemistry programme includes applying sustainable practices, such as energy conservation, recyclable packaging, waste reduction and limiting the amount of ingredients in product formulations.

MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
“Our Green Chemistry programme is truly a pioneer within the industry. We are continually finding new ways to embed the principles of Green Chemistry in our global manufacturing and product innovation. Our best-in-class scientists and researchers in China are using the most advanced technologies developed from our team in the US to create highly innovative and effective products for our consumers,” stated Harvey Gedeon.

The Estée Lauder Companies’ Chinese Dermatologist Expert Panel, which includes dermatologists and researchers from the country’s top hospital, China Medical University, will continue to advise the company regarding scientific research and innovation.

ELC brands currently sold in China include Estée Lauder, Clinique, La Mer, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Aramis, Origins and the licensed brands Tommy Hilfiger and Donna Karan. These products are sold in upscale department stores and perfumeries in 39 major Chinese cities. The Company has also launched e-commerce sites in China for Clinique, Estée Lauder, La Mer and MAC.