France’s Cosmetic Valley was created in 1994 to promote synergy among cosmetics and perfumery businesses concentrated in the Orleans Loire Valley, Chartres and Tours areas.  In July 2005, the French government officially recognized the Cosmetic Valley as a national competitiveness cluster, for promoting the image of luxury, perfumery and cosmetics around the world.  

A month prior to achieving this honor, the Cosmetic Valley expanded geographically and welcomed new companies, research organizations, training centers and economic development authorities. Today the Cosmetic Valley’s membership includes 200 companies, three universities, dozens of public and private research and training organizations, ten local government organizations and about 1,000 researchers.

The activities of the companies range from the culture of aromatic plants and plant extraction to research, formulation, plastic injection, manufacturing, packaging and logistics.

Among the recent Cosmetic Valley projects, for instance, the LVMH Group plans to create a “Skin and Well-Being Institute”, centered around the worldwide production, distribution and product development of Christian Dior in Orleans. The partners of the project include the Institute of Organic and Analytical Chemistry and the Center of Molecular Biophysics at the University of Orleans, the Dermatology Department of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Tours, the Orleans and Tours hospitals as well as the Christian Dior Laboratory and other private research and clinical development companies.  The various players involved will work together to study skin cells and the new cosmetic products.

The Alban Muller Group, producer of herbal extracts and natural ingredients, leads another project entitled “Herboretum”.  The Herboretum is a 23-acre beauty and health garden. The Herboretum’s primary mission is to become a forum where botanists, biochemists and pharmacists can collaborate in research.  Another goal of the project is to become a think-tank for botanical and cosmetic, pharmaceutical and health-food applications of natural ingredients.

Non-profit economic development organization Orleans Loire Valley Development (OVLD), has helped beauty companies find office locations and human resources, facilitate setup and technology transfer, and obtain financial incentives, among other services.  

In partnership with a number of new members including small and medium-sized companies, universities, research institutes, training organizations and regional economic development agencies like Orleans Loire Valley Development, the Cosmetic Valley set three goals:

1.    To encourage joint research projects for new beauty products as well as support the set-up of new companies, innovative start-ups and research units in the Cosmetic Valley.

2.    To facilitate across-the-line cooperation and further development of complementary sectors such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, packaging, plastics transformation, medical imaging, agriculture, waste management and warehousing and distribution.

3.    To create 4,000 to 5,000 jobs.

More information: (704) 365-0041.