Africa, Gulf & Asia
From raw materials to perfumery and cosmetics intelligence
Market, regulation and the actors worth watching: independent intelligence on the origins that matter.
Fragrance, cosmetics and the Africa-Gulf-Asia sourcing that connects them, decoded
Latest articles
Oud in the Gulf: the real sourcing story behind the region's 'liquid gold'
Oud isn't grown in the UAE, it's imported, aged and elevated into a cultural signature. How a Southeast Asian raw material became the Gulf's defining scent, and what that split between origin and authority means for sourcing.
Madagascar vanilla: from €2,000 a kilo to collapse, how to explain the swings
In a few years, the price of Malagasy vanilla went from historic records to a spectacular collapse. A look at the mechanics of one of fragrance and food's most volatile markets.
Kenya, East Africa's beauty powerhouse: who are its rising brands?
Kenya is emerging as one of East Africa's most dynamic beauty markets, driven by local brands raising real capital. A look at a market worth watching closely.
Firmenich's sourcing in India and Africa: lessons for smaller players
Firmenich, one of the world's fragrance giants, has long secured its supply in India and Africa through direct, sometimes surprising sourcing methods. What it teaches about the producer-buyer relationship.
Profile: Matière Première, the Kering Beauté-backed brand exploring new sourcing territories
With backing from Kering Beauté, niche brand Matière Première is broadening its sourcing horizons. A textbook case on how major groups invest in single-material brands.
Oakmoss and IFRA: a textbook case on natural material restrictions
Oakmoss, the historic material behind chypre fragrances, perfectly illustrates the tension between olfactory heritage and modern regulatory demands.
IFRA's 51st Amendment: what changes on October 30, 2026 for formulators
IFRA's new standards amendment sets a firm deadline for late October 2026. An overview of the restrictions involved and the practical implications for formulators and raw material buyers.
Cosmoprof 2026, the most international edition yet: what it reveals about Asia's momentum
Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna is promising an even more international 2026 edition. What this evolution means for Asian and African players in the industry.
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