Bringing Beauty Innovation Closer to Customers

The opening of CARE Studio APAC reflects a broader shift across the cosmetics industry. Consumers around the world expect products that deliver proven performance. However, the way they experience a formulation varies significantly from one market to another.

To respond to these varying and evolving market needs, IOI Oleo deliberately chose Penang as the home of its new Center of Expertise. CARE Studio APAC is located alongside IOI Group’s sister company Esterchem, thus creating a unique environment where expertise from across the vertically integrated supply chain comes together. From fatty acids and essential esters to specialty esters and finished cosmetic formulations, this close collaboration enables faster knowledge sharing, shorter development cycles and formulation concepts that are tailored to regional consumer expectations.

For customers across the Asia-Pacific region, this means direct access to local technical support backed by the global formulation expertise of IOI Oleo.

At the same time, international brands looking to enter APAC markets benefit from a partner that combines regional market understanding with the capabilities of a fully integrated supply chain. In this way, CARE Studio APAC serves as a bridge between global innovation and local consumer needs.

Visitors move through three dedicated areas, each representing a different stage of the innovation journey. While the Social Media Room functions as a market and trends research area that showcases IOI Oleo’s findings through ingredient and formulation concepts, the Application Laboratory demonstrates how IOI Oleo’s ingredients are transformed into consumer-relevant formulations. Finally, the Sensory Room allows visitors to evaluate textures and performance using standardized sensory methodologies.

Together, these spaces create an environment where formulation science, customer collaboration and sensory evaluation become part of one integrated experience.