The Lombardy Region has announced its intention to initiate the procedure leading to the official recognition of the Lombardy Cosmetic System as a Cluster, establishing it as a reference point for the regional cosmetics sector. This important milestone has been achieved within the framework of the Region’s economic development strategy, aimed at supporting and promoting innovation and the competitiveness of Lombardy-based companies.

The Cosmetic Cluster would therefore become the tenth Cluster officially recognised by the Lombardy Region, alongside the nine other Technology Clusters recognised since 2011.

“It meets all the requirements of excellence and validation for the sector and for the organisation of a Cluster,” confirms Alessandro Fermi, Regional Minister for University, Research and Innovation of the Lombardy Region. “The Lombardy Cosmetic Cluster represents a dynamic and interconnected network of companies, academic institutions, research centres and associations operating in the cosmetics sector. Through its coordination and collaboration role, the Cluster facilitates knowledge sharing, access to specialised resources and the creation of synergies among the various stakeholders of Lombardy’s cosmetics ecosystem.”

The meeting took place on Monday 29 April at Palazzo Lombardia, with the participation of Regional Minister Fermi, Marco Luca Bressanelli, President of REI – Reindustria Innovazione, together with General Director Ilaria Massari, Fabio Bergamaschi, Mayor of Crema, Member of Parliament Silvana Comaroli, Regional Councillor Riccardo Vitari, and representatives of all local political forces.

“The recognition by the Lombardy Region confirms the strategic importance of the Cosmetic Cluster within the regional economy,” stated Marco Bressanelli, President of REI – Reindustria Innovazione, the local organisation that has been working on this project for years. “Through collaborative initiatives, research and development projects, and the promotion of innovation, the Cluster is committed to supporting the growth and competitiveness of Lombardy’s cosmetics companies, while also fostering the sustainable development of the sector.”

“The recognition of the Cluster represents a major milestone in consolidating and relaunching the industrial excellence of the cosmetics sector, which plays a leading role in our territory,” stated Fabio Bergamaschi, Mayor of Crema. “Crema plays a key role in animating the Cluster: the concentration of numerous innovative companies positively strengthens the competitiveness of the entire value chain, while the connection with the education system, the ITS Academy programmes currently under development, and future university courses will be strategic to foster research and innovation. The goal is clear: to further embed in the Crema area and throughout Lombardy an industrial expertise that is a leading force in the global market.”

The Lombardy Cosmetic Cluster aims to further consolidate its position as a centre of excellence in the cosmetics sector, promoting interaction between companies, institutions and the scientific community in order to stimulate innovation, employment and regional economic development.

This important recognition is the result of a multi-year journey undertaken by the cosmetics sector over recent decades, including the recognition in 2022 of the Lombardy Cosmetic System as an “innovative model” for the aggregation of the research system and the cosmetics manufacturing value chain. This ecosystem is represented by two major associations: Cosmetica Italia, the National Association of Cosmetic Companies, with more than 600 companies, over half of which are based in Lombardy, and the Cosmetic Technology Hub, an association bringing together more than 100 companies operating in the contract manufacturing segment of the value chain.

The universities and training institutions that have been supporting the sector for many years through dedicated activities include the University of Milan, the University of Pavia, Politecnico di Milano, University of Milano-Bicocca, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, ITS Cremona New Technologies for Made in Italy, and ITS New Technologies for Life.

REI – Reindustria Innovazione, the territorial agency that has coordinated and guided the development of the Lombardy Cosmetic System over the years, officially receives recognition as a Cluster Organisation.