Proya Opens European R&D Center in Paris
China's Proya Cosmetics launched its European innovation center laboratory in Paris yesterday. The new facility will focus on skin longevity, biomechanics, and sustainable ingredient research.
Proya Establishes Paris R&D Hub
Proya Cosmetics, identified as China's largest beauty brand, inaugurated its European innovation center laboratory in Paris, France, yesterday, October 18, 2026. This new facility is designed as a crucial overseas research pillar to support Proya's 'Double Ten Strategy' and its ambition to build a technology-driven global cosmetics platform.
The center's strategic purpose includes absorbing advanced global beauty science insights and integrating them directly into Proya's domestic research and development initiatives. This expansion marks a significant step in the company's internationalization efforts.
Core Research Areas and Global Network
The Paris laboratory will concentrate its research on four main areas. These include skin longevity and mitochondrial health, skin biomechanics and barrier resilience, formula innovation, and sustainable ingredients along with their related technologies. The European hub will work closely with Proya's existing Longwu R&D Center in Hangzhou and its Shanghai R&D Centre.
This integration aims to create a global innovation network that combines local market responsiveness with international technological synergy, channeling new scientific findings back to the company's R&D operations in China.
Inauguration and Scientific Forum
The opening ceremony saw the attendance of several key figures, including Hou Juncheng, founder and Chairman of Proya Cosmetics, and Dr. Sun Peiwen, Chief R&D and Innovation Officer. Dr. Lieve Declercq, Chief Scientific Advisor and VP of the Europe Innovation Centre, and Antoine Deconinck, General Manager of the European Innovation Center, were also present.
Christophe Masson, CEO of Cosmetic Valley, joined other French beauty industry leaders, international experts from academia and clinical practice, and representatives from suppliers and partners.
Following the inauguration, Proya hosted a scientific forum at the laboratory, themed "Longevity Science Meets Beauty: New Frontiers in Next-Generation Cosmetics," featuring insights from experts Dr. Maria Cavinato, Prof. Philippe Humbert, and Dr. Jérôme Paris.
Implications for Asia's Beauty Industry
Proya's establishment of a European R&D center demonstrates a clear strategy for Chinese beauty brands to integrate global scientific expertise into their product development. This move allows Proya to innovate with international appeal while reinforcing its domestic market position.
For other Asian beauty companies, this model highlights a pathway for expanding research capabilities beyond national borders, aiming to directly incorporate advanced global science into their product pipelines. This strategic investment can enhance the competitive standing of Asian beauty brands in global markets by fostering innovation from diverse scientific perspectives.
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