Kolmar Korea Achieves Recognition as a Leader in Sustainable Growth by TIME Two Years in a Row
Kolmar Korea has made a significant impact in the global cosmetics industry as it recently secured a notable position in TIME's World's Best Companies in Sustainable Growth for 2026. This prestigious recognition marks the second consecutive year that the company has been honored in this category, solidifying its reputation as a leading player in eco-friendly and responsible business practices. The rankings were revealed on November 13, 2025, and were the result of a collaboration between TIME and the renowned research firm Statista. These rankings highlight 500 companies around the world recognized for their commitment to sustainable growth, with Kolmar Korea proudly landing at 294th place overall.
In a competitive landscape, it is noteworthy that only ten Korean companies achieved a spot on the list this year, a decrease from 13 compared to the previous year. Among them, Kolmar Korea shines as the only cosmetics company in Korea to achieve this esteemed ranking for two years running. The company’s assessment was based on three equally weighted criteria – revenue growth, financial stability, and its environmental impact – using a rigorous 100-point scale. Out of over 4,000 global companies evaluated, Kolmar Korea emerged with an impressive score of 81.02, placing it in the top 7% worldwide, despite the rising competition characterized by companies with strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and robust financial health.
One of Kolmar Korea's standout achievements lies in its sustainability metrics. The company ranked 2nd among Korean firms for carbon intensity and emissions performance, showcasing its commitment to reducing its ecological footprint. Furthermore, it placed within the top 30% globally for waste and water resource management, signifying a comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship. Kolmar Korea’s commitment to innovation is evident in its groundbreaking sustainable packaging solutions that include novel products such as paper tubes and sticks, as well as one-hand pump paper packs, all designed to significantly curtail plastic use. Notably, the company’s paper tube and paper stick have been recognized with accolades from all three of the world's most prestigious design awards – the IDEA (International Design Excellence Awards), iF Design Award, and Red Dot Design Award.
In addition to its focus on packaging, Kolmar Korea invests in the development of sustainable formulations and ingredients. The company proudly offers Green Technology Product-certified sunscreen, produced through a unique anti-aging ingredient extraction process that achieves a remarkable reduction of 83% in carbon emissions. They also create biodegradable hair and body care products that decompose by over 99%, thus alleviating the environmental burden associated with traditional cosmetics. Their manufacturing processes have been optimized for sustainability, with Kolmar Korea boasting a waste recycling rate of 84.8% and successfully reducing landfill waste by 57.8% year-over-year as a part of its 'Zero-Landfill' initiative.
Alongside its internal sustainability efforts, Kolmar Korea is dedicated to nurturing the Korean beauty ecosystem by fostering growth among emerging indie beauty brands. The company proactively hosts seminars focusing on beauty trends and marketing strategies, providing invaluable support to client brands. Additionally, Kolmar Korea showcases indie-brand pop-up stores during Seoul Beauty Week and has initiated the CONNECT FOR GREEN sustainability seminar in collaboration with partners since 2023 to cultivate a cooperative ESG value chain.
Expressing his pride in this ongoing achievement, Yoon Sang Hyun, Vice Chairman of Kolmar Group, stated, "Being recognized as one of the world's top sustainable growth companies for the second year in a row reflects the results of our comprehensive and long-term commitment to sustainable management. We will continue taking responsibility as a global company representing Korea by driving eco-friendly management and technological innovation." Through its unwavering focus on sustainability, Kolmar Korea stands as a beacon of how the beauty industry can innovate and lead in environmentally responsible practices, setting a strong example for others to follow.
In a competitive landscape, it is noteworthy that only ten Korean companies achieved a spot on the list this year, a decrease from 13 compared to the previous year. Among them, Kolmar Korea shines as the only cosmetics company in Korea to achieve this esteemed ranking for two years running. The company’s assessment was based on three equally weighted criteria – revenue growth, financial stability, and its environmental impact – using a rigorous 100-point scale. Out of over 4,000 global companies evaluated, Kolmar Korea emerged with an impressive score of 81.02, placing it in the top 7% worldwide, despite the rising competition characterized by companies with strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and robust financial health.
One of Kolmar Korea's standout achievements lies in its sustainability metrics. The company ranked 2nd among Korean firms for carbon intensity and emissions performance, showcasing its commitment to reducing its ecological footprint. Furthermore, it placed within the top 30% globally for waste and water resource management, signifying a comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship. Kolmar Korea’s commitment to innovation is evident in its groundbreaking sustainable packaging solutions that include novel products such as paper tubes and sticks, as well as one-hand pump paper packs, all designed to significantly curtail plastic use. Notably, the company’s paper tube and paper stick have been recognized with accolades from all three of the world's most prestigious design awards – the IDEA (International Design Excellence Awards), iF Design Award, and Red Dot Design Award.
In addition to its focus on packaging, Kolmar Korea invests in the development of sustainable formulations and ingredients. The company proudly offers Green Technology Product-certified sunscreen, produced through a unique anti-aging ingredient extraction process that achieves a remarkable reduction of 83% in carbon emissions. They also create biodegradable hair and body care products that decompose by over 99%, thus alleviating the environmental burden associated with traditional cosmetics. Their manufacturing processes have been optimized for sustainability, with Kolmar Korea boasting a waste recycling rate of 84.8% and successfully reducing landfill waste by 57.8% year-over-year as a part of its 'Zero-Landfill' initiative.
Alongside its internal sustainability efforts, Kolmar Korea is dedicated to nurturing the Korean beauty ecosystem by fostering growth among emerging indie beauty brands. The company proactively hosts seminars focusing on beauty trends and marketing strategies, providing invaluable support to client brands. Additionally, Kolmar Korea showcases indie-brand pop-up stores during Seoul Beauty Week and has initiated the CONNECT FOR GREEN sustainability seminar in collaboration with partners since 2023 to cultivate a cooperative ESG value chain.
Expressing his pride in this ongoing achievement, Yoon Sang Hyun, Vice Chairman of Kolmar Group, stated, "Being recognized as one of the world's top sustainable growth companies for the second year in a row reflects the results of our comprehensive and long-term commitment to sustainable management. We will continue taking responsibility as a global company representing Korea by driving eco-friendly management and technological innovation." Through its unwavering focus on sustainability, Kolmar Korea stands as a beacon of how the beauty industry can innovate and lead in environmentally responsible practices, setting a strong example for others to follow.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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