#South Korea #Seoul #Sustainable Growth #Cosmetics #Kolmar Korea

Kolmar Korea's Commitment to Sustainable Growth

Kolmar Korea has recently been recognized for the second consecutive year as one of TIME's World's Best Companies in Sustainable Growth for 2026. This prestigious listing highlights the company's exceptional performance in terms of ecological innovation and responsible growth, placing them among the top 7% of over 4,000 global corporations assessed. The announcement, made on November 13 by TIME in collaboration with the global research firm Statista, acknowledges 500 leading corporations worldwide for their sustainable growth practices.

A Stellar Performance Amidst Competition

Securing the 294th position on this exclusive list, Kolmar Korea stands out as the only South Korean cosmetics manufacturer to achieve this honor consecutively. The evaluation process measured three key components equally: revenue growth, financial stability, and environmental impact, rating on a scale of 100 points. Kolmar Korea achieved an impressive total score of 81.02, maintaining a robust position despite increasing competition from rapidly growing global companies with solid financial stability. Their exceptional performance, especially in sustainability metrics, saw them rank second among South Korean companies in carbon intensity and emissions, as well as achieving a place among the top 30% globally in waste and water resources management.

Pioneering Eco-Friendly Practices

Kolmar Korea’s achievements reflect its unwavering dedication to ecological innovation and circular sustainability. The company has pioneered sustainable and innovative packaging solutions, introducing paper tubes, paper stick packaging, and single-handed dispensing paper containers, which significantly reduce plastic usage. Notably, their paper tube and stick packaging have earned three prestigious design awards: the IDEA (International Design Excellence Awards), the iF Design Award, and the Red Dot Design Award, solidifying its influence on global packaging trends.

Moreover, the company is accelerating the development of sustainable formulations and ingredients. Their product lineup includes a Green Technology Product certified sunscreen made via an extraction process that reduces carbon emissions by 83%, alongside biodegradable hair and body care products that decompose naturally by over 99%, thereby minimizing environmental impact. Kolmar Korea has also strengthened its sustainable manufacturing capabilities, achieving a waste recycling rate of 84.8% and a 57.8% year-on-year reduction in landfill waste as part of their 'Zero Waste to Landfills' initiative.

Commitment to the Beauty Ecosystem

In addition to its internal sustainability initiatives, Kolmar Korea is dedicated to fostering the growth of South Korea's beauty ecosystem by promoting shared development with emerging independent beauty brands. The company frequently organizes seminars on beauty trends and marketing strategies for its clients’ brands, supports pop-up store launches for independent brands during Seoul Beauty Week, and has been hosting the CONNECT FOR GREEN sustainability seminar with partners since 2023 to create a collaborative ESG value chain.

Yoon Sang Hyun, the Vice President of Kolmar Group, remarked, "Being recognized as one of the leading sustainable growth companies in the world for the second consecutive year reflects the results of our comprehensive and long-term commitment to sustainable management. We will continue to uphold our responsibility as a global company representing Korea, pushing for environmentally friendly management and technological innovation.”

As Kolmar Korea continues to navigate the challenges of the cosmetics industry, its recognition on the TIME list serves not only as a badge of honor but also as a reminder of the important work that remains in fostering sustainable practices across sectors. Their proactive approach sets a benchmark for other companies within the industry and beyond to follow suit, paving the way for a greener future.