L’Oréal unveils new R&I centre in India
Aims to study Indian hair and skin specificities, as well as Indian consumers’ beauty expectations
L’Oréal has inaugurated its new research and innovation (R&I) centre to study Indian hair and skin specificities as well as the beauty expectations of Indian consumers. The R&I centre is the group’s sixth R&I hub globally and includes a product development centre in Mumbai and an advanced research centre in Bangalore. It will employ over 100 Indian researchers and scientists from the fields of physical chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biotechnology, chemical engineering, physics and biology by the end of 2013.
Activity at the 5,000 square metre Mumbai facility relies on a unique and wide knowledge of Indian hair and skin specificities gathered through clinical studies and a deep understanding of consumers’ beauty expectations, says L’Oréal. Its purpose it to translate needs into innovative skin care, hair care, hair colour, colour cosmetics and personal hygiene products.
The Bangalore site, meanwhile, covers 2,000 square metres. Operations will concentrate on the exploration of phytochemistry, biotechnologies and bioinformatics to screen active ingredients able to address pigmentation disorders, scalp concerns and hair breakage. A specific focus will be on decoding Ayurveda roots via modern biological, chemical and analytical methods.
“With one of the highest growths of the group in Asia Pacific, India is a key contributor to L’Oréal’s objective of reaching one billion new consumers,” commented L’Oréal chairman and ceo Jean-Paul Agon. “The R&I centre in India reflects our confidence in the great potential of the Indian market and our strong commitment to the country. It is in line with L’Oréal’s universalisation strategy of adapting our global brands to each culture’s specific needs.”
Laurent Attal, executive vp of research and innovation for L’Oréal, added: “This research and innovation centre is a tribute to India’s scientific excellence. It is designed to become a laboratory of innovation for Indian beauty and a source of inspiration for the rest of the world.”
L’Oréal, which has been present in India for 18 years, plans to invest a total of €140m in the country from 2011 to 2016.
