Today, a press conference was held to present the VI edition of the Barcelona Perfumery Congress, an event that has established itself as one of the main international references in the perfumery and essential oils industry. At the presentation, the key role that this congress plays as an innovation platform and meeting point for professionals in a constantly growing sector was highlighted.
The Spanish perfumery and essential oils industry is one of the most dynamic and advanced in the world. With a prominent position as the second largest exporter in the world, Spain continues to lead innovation and quality in this sector, along with France, which surpasses other strategic sectors such as footwear, olive oil or wine in exports. In 2024, a total of 2,299 perfumes were launched, achieving a global export of 9,589 million euros, 51% of which corresponds to the perfumes and fragrances category (STANPA). In this sense, according to the study prepared by ACCIÓ (Agency for Business Competitiveness), the beauty sector in Catalonia has reached a record turnover of more than 5,000 million euros in the fragrance sector, and 12,000 million euros in the Beauty sector as a whole, representing 4% of the Catalan GDP. These figures consolidate the strength and international projection of a sector that encompasses cosmetics, perfumery and personal care.
Eva Lluch, president of the Barcelona Perfumery Congress and vice president of the Beauty Cluster, says: "We are the second largest exporter of perfumery in the world, a very innovative sector with a large value chain. We have a huge tradition and if we want to be a world leader, we must be the innovation event in which the most relevant players in our sector want to participate. Today, Spain is on the international map of perfumery thanks to the magnificent work of our industry and thanks to the Beauty Cluster we now have an international event to match."
On June 18 and 19, La Farga de L'Hospitalet de Llobregat will become the meeting point for more than 80 speakers, 2,500 professionals from the sector and more than 100 exhibitors from 12 countries, in a unique event that attracts the main players in the sector: the Barcelona Perfumery Congress. This congress has established itself as an international benchmark in the perfumery industry, from fragrance creation to marketing, technology and research.
These two days will offer a complete vision of the industry, with a program of activities based on olfactory intelligence, the development of fragrances with artificial intelligence, industry perspectives, sustainable technologies and innovations in alcohol-free fragrances and the impact of fragrances on emotions and health, taught by key opinion leaders in the industry. In addition, this sixth edition consolidates the international relevance of this event, having tripled, since the previous edition (2023), the expected participation of international exhibiting companies. Countries such as India, France, Italy, UK, USA, China, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt will have a presence through the best companies in the perfumery value chain.
During the press conference, Adrià Martínez, deputy director of the Barcelona Perfumery Congress, presented one of the main novelties of this edition: "For the first time, the event will have an exclusive space, "The Fragrance Atelier", dedicated to niche perfumery brands, a reflection of the growing importance of artisanal perfumery in the global market."
Organized by the Beauty Cluster, the main association of cosmetic, perfumery and personal care companies in Spain, it has the support of the most influential organizations in the sector, both nationally and internationally, such as the Spanish Association of Fragrances and Food Aromas (AEFAA), the Mediterranean Association of Aromas and Fragrances (AMAF), the Perfume Academy, The International Fragance Association or the Global Cosmetics Cluster. This convention has become a must-attend event for all professionals looking to be at the forefront of innovation in a constantly evolving industry.
Within the framework of this congress, a new edition of the Barcelona Perfumery Awards will be held, which will reward different disciplines to highlight the innovation of olfactory science in the perfumery industry. In total, 13 awards will be given on research and innovation in the perfumery business, ingredients and raw materials, original packaging and suppliers, emerging companies in the sector and innovative brands, sustainability initiatives, actions on natural and social responsibility in the industry, contribution to the culture of perfume and award for professional career in the industry. In addition, it has an honorary award for career in perfumery that in the previous edition went to the master perfumer D. Ramón Monegal.
In the fifth edition of the congress, held in 2023, the Barcelona Perfumery Congress brought together more than 1,000 attendees and 40 exhibitors in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, consolidating itself as a key meeting point for the sector. The program included 50 presentations that covered the entire perfumery value chain, focusing on the evolution of consumer tastes, market preferences and emerging trends.
Perfumery is also found in gastronomy
In the press conference held today, the Beauty Cluster surprised attendees with an innovative and sensory proposal that has merged the world of perfumery with that of gastronomy. The activity, designed especially for journalists in the sector, consisted of an olfactory-gastronomic experience where gourmand fragrances came to life in the form of ice cream.
This succulent and special initiative has been possible thanks to the collaboration between Eurofragance, a leading company in the development of fragrances, and Mamá Heladera, a renowned brand of artisanal ice cream. Together, they have managed to reinterpret perfumes from the gourmand family, known for their sweet and edible notes, and transform them into delicious ice cream creations.
During the day, attendees were able to explore the aromatic compositions first-hand, guided by two great references in the sector: Rebeca Cernadas, perfumer at Eurofragance, and Irene Gisbert, founder of Ainea Perfums. Both experts accompanied the journalists throughout this sensory experience, explaining the construction of the fragrances, breaking down their main notes and showing how the aromatic ingredients translate into surprising flavors.
Among the most striking creations was a fragrance that evoked the freshness of a summer sunset, transformed into an ice cream that combined tangerine and a subtle touch of sea water, generating a truly evocative olfactory and gustatory experience. Other fragrances, sweeter and more enveloping, gave rise to ice creams made with ingredients such as pistachio, coconut, banana or salted caramel, thus capturing the gourmand spirit in a delicious way.