History
SIMPPAR — History and Identity
The SIMPPAR – International Exhibition of Raw Materials for Perfumery dates back to 1991, when the Société Française des Parfumeurs (SFP) organised the first “Journées des Matières Premières” (Raw Materials Days) in Paris.
The original purpose was simple: to give the SFP’s approximately 800 members an opportunity to meet suppliers and discover raw materials for perfumery.
Over the years, the event steadily grew. In 2006, the “Salon des Matières Premières pour la Parfumerie” moved to the Evergreen Hotel in Levallois-Perret. At the time, it brought together around twenty exhibitors, rising to approximately thirty by 2009.
A new milestone was reached in 2011. For its tenth edition, the exhibition moved to Espace Champerret in Paris and, with 50 exhibitors, took on a truly international dimension. It became the Salon International des Matières Premières pour la Parfumerie – SIMPPAR.
Since the Covid pandemic, SIMPPAR has become an annual event. In 2024, for the first time in its history, the exhibition left Paris for Grasse, the historic cradle of perfumery. The success of this first Grasse edition led to a new format: SIMPPAR is now held every year, alternating between Paris and Grasse.
A leading event for perfumery raw materials
More than thirty years after its creation, SIMPPAR is today the oldest and largest European exhibition dedicated to raw materials for perfumery.
It brings together the full spectrum of the industry: producers of essential oils and natural extracts, manufacturers of synthetic aroma ingredients, fragrance houses, as well as suppliers of equipment, bottles, software and other solutions for the fragrance industry.
SIMPPAR is exclusively a trade event, welcoming perfumers, buyers, R&D managers, technicians and other fragrance industry professionals. It is not open to the general public or private individuals.
Its purpose remains true to the original spirit of the first Raw Materials Days: to encourage discovery, encounters and exchanges between those who create, produce, select and use perfumery raw materials.
A unique community spirit
Organised by the Société Française des Parfumeurs, SIMPPAR has remained faithful throughout its development to a principle that has become one of its defining features: every exhibitor is provided with the same stand.
Small producers, family-owned businesses, independent companies and international groups therefore showcase their raw materials on equal terms.
This deliberate choice places raw materials, expertise and personal exchanges centre stage, rather than the size or sophistication of exhibition stands. It also helps preserve the friendly, professional and welcoming atmosphere that has characterised SIMPPAR since its beginnings.
Supporting the next generation of perfumers
Every two years, the Société Française des Parfumeurs organises the International Young Perfumer-Creator Award as part of SIMPPAR.
The competition is designed to discover and showcase emerging talent in fragrance creation. Entries are judged anonymously, first by a technical jury and then by an artistic jury, before the winners are selected.
During the same exhibition, the SIPC also presents its Awards.
The awards presentation is followed by a cocktail reception, open by reservation.
