Ivan Borrego : “Through the Barcelona Perfumery Congress, we aim to maintain an innovative, inspiring, and distinctive approach.”

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In a few words, can you introduce the Barcelona Perfumery Congress?
At Beauty Cluster, we created the Barcelona Perfumery Congress as a scientific, technical, and business-focused event designed to bring together all professionals and experts in innovation across the olfaction and perfumery value chain. From the science of smell to cutting-edge fragrance innovation, the event offers opportunities to connect with other professionals, take part in sensory activities, discover the most transformative innovations, and engage in high-level business development. The congress is also a key meeting point with the Spanish perfume industry, which is currently the second-largest global exporter of perfumes and essential oils—all in the stunning setting of Barcelona.

How many exhibitors will be participating, and what are their profiles?
We’ve already confirmed the participation of 100 exhibitors covering all sectors of the fragrance industry. Major multinational companies are supporting the event as exhibitors, sponsors, and partners. The exhibition includes raw materials, essential oils, fragrance houses, contract manufacturing, creativity, design, packaging, digital technologies, regulatory services, testing and analysis, olfactory research, and many other services and products related to fragrance and scent creation.
Moreover, the 2025 edition marks a turning point in the internationalization of the BPC, with three times as many international exhibitors compared to the 2023 edition. Countries such as India, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, and Egypt will be represented by top-tier companies.

Innovation seems to be at the heart of your event. How is this reflected in practice?
At Beauty Cluster, we invest significant effort into identifying relevant innovation-related content—ranging from scientific research on olfaction to the latest advances in the fragrance industry. We actively search for, collect, and analyze this content, working closely with innovative stakeholders so they can showcase, present, and develop specific content, gain visibility, and connect with potential partners—ultimately helping these innovations become successful products or services.

Several competitions are being organized, such as the Mouillette d’Argent. What does this award represent?
We’re involved in organizing two types of awards. The first is the Barcelona Perfumery Awards, presented during the congress, which recognize innovation across the fragrance industry. The second is the Mouillette d’Argent, an independent perfume competition launched in 2018 that celebrates the creative talent of perfumers. Every year, around 100 perfumers from 25 countries submit creations based on a chosen olfactory note—cistus, for the 2025 edition. The finalist fragrances are showcased in leading stores in Barcelona, Madrid, and Andorra, and a jury of renowned master perfumers selects the winners.
The Mouillette d’Argent is an independent competition that the Cluster has supported since its inception. This year’s awards ceremony will take place on June 20, the day after the congress closes—making for a fantastic perfumery week in Barcelona combining both events.

What are the specificities of the Spanish perfumery industry, and how is this market evolving in your view?
The Spanish perfume industry has always stood out for blending tradition, expertise, and innovation. It also benefits from a very solid value chain, with major supplier companies headquartered in Spain and operating subsidiaries worldwide. In recent years, it has become a strongly export-driven industry (the world’s second-largest exporter of perfumes and essential oils) and has seen a major rise in independent and niche perfume brands—most of them based in Barcelona. Alongside key industry leaders, we also have institutions that promote the international profile of our master perfumers, such as the Academia del Perfume.

What are your goals for the future?
We believe the Barcelona Perfumery Congress must continue to deliver value to the industry. There are already many exciting events in the fragrance world, and we aim to maintain an innovative, inspiring, and distinctive approach. Our immediate goal at Beauty Cluster is to ensure that the 2025 edition is a success—meeting the expectations of both visitors and exhibitors—and then take the time to sit down with key players in the industry to reflect on the next steps together.

Barcelona Perfumery Congress website