#South Korea #Seoul #Eco-Friendly #Clean Beauty #Kolmar Korea

Kolmar Korea's Vision for Clean Beauty

Kolmar Korea, a renowned global cosmetics manufacturer, is redefining the cosmetics landscape with its commitment to "clean beauty." As a key player in the ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) model, the company is dedicated to pursuing environmentally friendly practices across its operations. This journey encompasses not only the design of eco-friendly packaging but also the use of sustainable raw materials and advanced product formulations, solidifying its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies.

Innovations in Eco-Friendly Packaging

One of the major strides Kolmar has made in clean beauty is through innovative packaging solutions. In 2020, the company introduced a paper tube that became the first commercially-available eco-friendly container in the industry, drastically reducing plastic usage by 80%. The design has been meticulously crafted to ensure easy separation of paper and plastic, while proving durable enough to hold over 50 kg of weight. Furthermore, in 2023, Kolmar launched a stick cosmetic package made from mineral paper, achieving an impressive 86% reduction in plastic usage. This design allows consumers to peel off layers of paper, enabling them to utilize the product fully without waste, thus maintaining a balance between ecological responsibility and practical use.

In April of this year, they showcased a one-hand pump paper container inspired by milk cartons, which is made entirely from recycled materials. This convenient solution reflects the growing demand for eco-conscious products among consumers worldwide.

Kolmar's groundbreaking packaging solutions have received international applause, capturing the "grand slam" of design awards: the IDEA, iF Design Award, and the Red Dot Design Award. The one-hand pump container has also clinched the Red Dot Design Award, reinforcing Kolmar Korea as a leader in the eco-friendly packaging sector.

Sustainable Raw Material and Formulation Development

Expanding beyond packaging, Kolmar is enhancing its clean beauty initiative through innovative raw materials and product formulations. In 2022, the company developed an eco-friendly extraction method utilizing sunflower, blueberry, and safflower, which not only significantly reduced carbon emissions by 83% but also improved the effectiveness of active ingredients by 870%. This innovation, particularly applied in an eco-friendly sunscreen cream, earned the "Green Production Technology" certification from the Korean Ministry of Environment. Additionally, in the same year, Kolmar replaced microplastics in color cosmetics with natural silica, a mineral known for its pore-care benefits and oil control, which enhances both the texture and stability of cosmetics while aligning with sustainability goals.

Commitment to Low-Emission Production

Kolmar Korea is determined to bolster low-emission and sustainable production processes. In 2022, the company joined the K-RE100 initiative, committing to utilize 100% renewable energy by 2050. The expansion of solar energy sources in its main plant in Sejong has contributed to a substantial reduction of approximately 143 tons of CO2 emissions. Moreover, the company actively engages in initiatives aimed at “eliminating landfill waste,” working to lower waste disposal rates and enhance recycling levels through systematic sustainability management practices.

These extensive efforts have not gone unnoticed internationally. In 2024, TIME magazine recognized Kolmar Korea, ranking it 125th in the list of "The World's Best Companies for Sustainability in 2025," marking it as the only Korean cosmetics company to earn such acclaim and highlighting its standout performance in eco-friendly practices on the global stage.

A Vision For The Future

A spokesperson for Kolmar Korea stated, "Developing eco-friendly technologies is not a short-term achievement but a foundational business strategy aimed at improving sustainability across the entire industry. We will continue to uphold our leadership position as a company driving sustainable practices in the global cosmetics industry."

Through ongoing research and development efforts, Kolmar Korea is committed to creating clean beauty solutions and shaping a more sustainable future for the international cosmetics industry.