L'Oréal debuts at China Intl Supply Chain Expo, signs cooperation deal

L'Oréal participated as the only multinational beauty company at the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing last week, showcasing supply chain innovations under the theme "Connected with Beauty."

Lan Zhenzhen, president of public affairs for L'Oréal North Asia and China, speaks at the opening of the L'Oréal booth during the third China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, July 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of L'Oréal]

"A high-quality supply chain resembles a grand symphony that requires collective participation and multi-party collaboration to create perfect harmony," said Lan Zhenzhen, president of public affairs for L'Oréal North Asia and China, on Thursday.

Lan said supply chains create "bonds of empathy" and "shared success," pointing to L'Oréal's partnerships with more than 1,600 Chinese suppliers that drive employment, advance sustainability and bring Chinese innovations to global markets.

During the expo, L'Oréal and the China Association for Bar Code Technology and Application announced a strategic partnership to collaborate on cosmetic QR code technology development, talent training and global digital transformation. The cooperation will advance industry-wide QR code standardization and promote China's technical expertise globally, they said.

Representatives from L'Oréal and the China Association for Bar Code Technology and Application sign an agreement at the L'Oréal booth during the third China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, July 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of L'Oréal]

Kong Hongliang, chairman of the China Association for Bar Code Technology and Application, said the collaboration will focus on improving and globally promoting the cosmetics QR code standard system, establishing a digital system covering the entire industrial chain to enhance supply chain efficiency and accelerating industry visualization to build a "one-code traceability" trust system.

The partnership represents an upgraded collaboration following the organizations' 2023 joint development and release of QR code representation standards for cosmetic retail units. Since publication, the standards have been widely adopted by companies implementing digital upgrades, the association said.

"This partnership not only deepens standard co-development but marks a milestone in global cosmetic supply chain digital transformation," Kong said.

The L'Oréal booth at the third China International Supply Chain Expo. [Photo courtesy of L'Oréal]

At its booth, L'Oréal displayed three sections showcasing its consumer-focused supply chain system, collaborative achievements with partners, and extensions of local partnerships to international markets.

L'Oréal operates 32 beauty brands in China through two production centers, one operations hub, one research and development center, one packaging facility, and a logistics network spanning more than 20 regional distribution centers serving over 100 million consumers, the company said.

L'Oréal China said every job it creates generates 20 additional positions across its value chain, including raw material procurement, logistics and beauty services.

The company's Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program has engaged more than 2,240 firms, while driving over 95% of its Chinese suppliers to participate in carbon disclosure and sustainability assessments.