Shanghai 2009

IFEAT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, SHANGHAI, CHINA
SUNDAY 18 - THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2009
Pudong Shangri-la

Essential China: A major consuming market and sourcing partner in a turbulent world.
The main themes are the essential oils and aroma chemical industries and market developments in China. Other topics include product quality and food safety; legislative issues, including REACH implementation; and regional market and technical developments.
 

The IFEAT Annual Conference this year was held at the prestigious Shangri-La Hotel, located within the financial district of Shanghai, and with stunning views across the River Huangpu to the Bund, as well as being surrounded by some of the world’s newest, most spectacular and tallest buildings. This year the conference attracted a record total of 661 Delegates and 92 Accompanying Persons.
 

A Welcome Reception was held on the evening of Sunday 18th October. Participants were entertained by traditional Chinese drummers and dancers and concluded with Winnie Yeung (Co-Chairman of the Local Shanghai Conference Committee) and Alistair Hitchen (IFEAT Chairman) “Drawing the Eyes” of the Dragon, symbolising good fortune and the opening of the IFEAT Conference.
 

Also on Sunday, CHINAEASA (The China Essential Oils, Aromas and Spice Association) and IFEAT organised a trade show promoting China’s essential oils and aroma industries. Some 32 companies exhibited in the Grand Ballroom, which for the remainder of the week was the location of the Conference presentations, which totalled some 25 papers in all, along with three Discussion Panels. For the first time at an IFEAT Conference, simultaneous translation facilities were provided.
 

Conference lectures began on Monday 19th October following two welcome addresses from the President of CAFFCI (the China Association of Flavor, Fragrance and Cosmetic Industries) and the Vice-President of CHINAESA. This year’s Conference theme was “Essential China: A Major Consuming Market and Sourcing Partner in a Turbulent World” and aimed to provide delegates with presentations on topical issues and legislation within the industry as well as focusing on the essential oils, aroma chemicals and flavours and fragrance sectors in China. The Monday morning sessions' presentations concentrated on China and discussed the setting up a business, the import market structure, the China “concept” in fragrances, and a paper on the manipulation of plant hosts to significantly increase the production of aromas. In the afternoon, three presentations were made on developments in China’s essential oils industry, including papers on star anise and citrus. A Discussion Panel followed this on the day’s proceedings.
 

The session topics arranged for Tuesday 20th October centred on the aroma chemicals industry in China and legislation and regulatory issues, namely REACH and GHS legislation. Mr Yongcheng Hu of the Shanghai Apple Flavor and Fragrance Co. Ltd. presented the Medal Lecture whilst Sylvia Kokot was awarded a medal for the Best Perfumery Student of 2009. Tuesday morning also saw the IFEAT Business Session, including the AGM and presentations on the education programmes supported by IFEAT, the IFEAT Study Tour of southern Italy, undertaken earlier in the year, and a presentation on Marrakech, the location for the 2010 IFEAT Conference. On the evening of Tuesday 20th October, the IFEAT Dinner was held at the floating Sea Palace on the Huangpu River, situated close to the Shangri-La Hotel, where IFEAT Members and their guests were treated to traditional dancing and entertainment.