Conflict in the Middle East: impacts on the cosmetics industry’s supply chain

The US-Iran conflict, which has been ongoing since late February 2026, has brought the Strait of Hormuz to a standstill and is causing major supply chain disruptions for several raw materials that are strategic to the cosmetics industry.

– Vegetable oils: exposure remains indirect but real. Rising oil prices are boosting the competitiveness of biodiesel, leading to increased competition between energy uses and food/cosmetics applications. Tropical oils (palm kernel, coconut) — widely used in formulations — have shown a marked upward trend since late 2025, driven by specific supply constraints.

– Petrochemicals & plastics: petroleum derivatives (PET, LDPE, PP) — which are essential for packaging — rose sharply in April 2026, driven by higher monomer prices. A gradual stabilisation is beginning, but remains dependent on oil prices.

– Maritime transport: traffic through the Strait has virtually ground to a halt, leading to a structural rise in freight costs, security surcharges and a significant increase in delivery times. Containers are being diverted via costly routes, putting direct pressure on margins and CIF purchase terms for European importers.

– Aluminium: this is the metal most at risk for cosmetics buyers. Prices reached $3,607/t in mid-April 2026, a four-year high, driven by the partial shutdown of production in the Gulf (Al Taweelah, Alba, Qatalum), representing nearly 3 million tonnes removed from the global market. Pressure on billets — used directly in metal packaging — has reached historic levels, with regional premiums rising sharply in Europe. A rapid return to normality remains unlikely.

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