Key takeaways
- Symrise is expanding its presence in Asia-Pacific and has new manufacturing sites in China and India.
- The company is focusing on customised, locally relevant cosmetic ingredient solutions.
- Skinification of scalp and hair care is a major trend in the region, driven by consumer needs.
- Local manufacturing boosts agility, sustainability, and collaboration with brands of all sizes.
German cosmetics ingredients business Symrise is expanding in Asia-Pacific markets through strategic manufacturing investments and by focusing on catering to local needs.
The business opened a manufacturing facility in Nantong, China in 2023 and a new manufacturing hub in Chennai, India in 2024, in a bid to enable faster response times, more customised solutions, and closer collaboration with regional customers.
Chung Sin Wong, Symrise VP of cosmetics ingredients Asia-Pacific region, said the business is focusing on customised solutions that are tailored to the specific needs and preferences of Asian consumers.
“Most importantly, we focus on using locally sourced raw materials that can be used in our manufacturing sites in China and India,” he explained.
Skinification trends reshape scalp and hair care innovation
One clear area of focus in the region is the ‘skinification’ of scalp and hair care, thus addressing regional market needs.
“Compared to Europe, Asia-Pacific markets face greater concerns with oily scalps and humidity-related irritation, particularly in China, India, and Southeast Asian countries. This enables us to develop solutions with the right active ingredients and formats,” he explained.
Wong said that in the APAC region, skinification of hair care is transforming the market. Here, people treat their scalp like skin to address oiliness, dryness, itchiness, and barrier repair through skincare-inspired actives.
“More than a passing trend, this movement bridges nature-inspired ingredients with scientific advancement, aligning local consumer needs with global standards,” he said.
Wong also said that Symrise’s research has indicated a 63% growth in oily scalp shampoo launches in China between 2021–2025, and that there has been an 82% rise in mentions of “Bisabolol” in hair products in Asia.
New patented actives and agile partnerships for regional brands
To meet this growing demand, Symrise has introduced two new products with patented active innovations: SymSoft Scalp Plus with green biotech α-Bisabolol and SymCare, a soothing blend of ingredients inspired by oat and berry, infused with Symrise’s Hydrolite 5 green from sugar cane for enhanced skin penetration.
Wong said the investment in local manufacturing will enable Symrise to have greater agility and sustainability, and to collaborate effectively with brands of all sizes, from multinationals to indie players.
