Estée Lauder Opens Innovation Center in China

Perfume and cosmetics giant Estée Lauder has opened an Innovation Center in Shanghai, China, from which it plans to develop products tailored to the specific needs of Chinese and Asian consumers.

The company first launched in China in 1993, and opened its first research lab in 2005. Since then, Estée Lauder has been investing in research and development, consumer insights and branding capabilities.

The new center extends the firm's existing research capabilities, and in addition to scientific and consumer research will focus on the company's Green Chemistry programme, which aims to make products more environmentally friendly.

The center will also explore the genetic basis for differences in the response of human skin to environmental stressors, while also studying the safety of botanical and synthetic materials in order to develop new products.

'We are bringing to China the best technologies from the US and combining them with top Chinese scientists and researchers,' states President and CEO Fabrizio Freda. 'Through this collaboration, we are gaining critical consumer insights in China, and as a result, we will be able to create even better products for consumers in China and around the world.'

Web site: www.esteelauder.com .