Dancing on the Scent Economy Chain—Fragrance Firms Shine at the 4th CISCE

Dancing on the "Scent Economy" Chain—Fragrance and Flavor Companies Shine at the 4th China International Supply Chain Expo

On June 22, the 4th China International Supply Chain Expo (Chain Expo), themed "Connecting the World, Creating the Future," opened at the China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi Hall) in Beijing. As the world's first national-level exhibition dedicated to supply chain collaboration, this year’s event attracted 676 Chinese and international enterprises and institutions from 85 countries and regions. Fragrance, flavor, and beauty & personal care companies gathered prominently in the "Healthy Living Chain" zone and the AI-focused section of the "Digital Intelligence Technology Chain," presenting a comprehensive view of the entire aromatic industry chain—from natural fragrance cultivation and flavor research and formulation to perfumer creativity and brand retail.

Global Leaders Showcase End-to-End Supply Chains

L'Oréal Group, the global beauty giant, participated for the second consecutive year, showcasing its AI-driven end-to-end product development, eco-friendly packaging, and intelligent logistics systems under the theme "Interconnected Chains, AI-Powered Future" in Hall E3 of the Healthy Living Chain. The case studies of its Suzhou Shangmei factory’s UPX Phase II smart workshop and intelligent operations center highlight the deep localization strategy of international fragrance and personal care supply chains in China.

Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) led a delegation of over 30 South Korean companies, covering cosmetics and premium fragrance categories. On June 23, KOTRA hosted a Sino-Korean Consumer Goods Industry Cooperation Forum to facilitate procurement of fragrance raw materials and brand channel partnerships between China and Korea.

AI Redefines New Scenarios for the "Scent Economy"

The newly established Artificial Intelligence Zone at this year’s Chain Expo became the focal point for digital transformation in the fragrance industry. Hangzhou Qianjing Qianwei Technology demonstrated its "AI Emotional Scent Machine"—powered by its proprietary ScentGen AI olfactory large model, which stores over 100,000 standardized scent formulas. It can generate personalized aromatherapy solutions in real time based on driver or user emotional states, and has already established supply chain collaborations with Toyota China and Dongfeng Nissan for in-vehicle fragrances.

Industry experts noted that AI-assisted perfumery systems, digital olfactory databases, and traceable green fragrance sourcing platforms are gradually addressing traditional challenges in the fragrance sector—such as reliance on perfumers’ experience and difficulties in quantifying and passing down formulations—providing a technological foundation for Chinese fragrance brands to advance into high-end markets.

Domestic Flavors Expand Upstream

Flavor and fragrance companies from Guangdong, Fujian, and other regions leveraged the Chain Expo platform to showcase capabilities in natural plant extraction, organic ethanol production, and IFRA-certified import-export raw material services. Several specialized and innovative enterprises proposed an integrated business model spanning solvents, raw ingredients, perfumery, and branding, aiming to simultaneously break through in substituting imported high-end fragrance raw materials and expanding overseas fragrance exports.

Ren Hongbin, President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, stated during the opening ceremony that the core mission of the Chain Expo is to "exhibit supply chains, ecosystems, and application scenarios." He encouraged businesses to use this platform effectively to extend and strengthen their supply chains, building mutually beneficial global partnerships.

The 4th China International Supply Chain Expo will continue until June 26, featuring multiple specialized matchmaking events focused on beauty, wellness, and consumer goods supply chains.