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

Kolmar Korea Champions Clean Beauty

Kolmar Korea, a leading global original design manufacturer (ODM) in the cosmetics industry, is making significant strides in promoting 'clean beauty.' The company is dedicated to sustainability, focusing not just on eco-friendly packaging, but also on raw materials and sustainable manufacturing processes. Their efforts aim to enhance their competitiveness in the global market while minimizing environmental impact.

Innovative Eco-Friendly Packaging

Among Kolmar Korea's groundbreaking initiatives are its eco-friendly packaging solutions, which have gained international recognition. In 2020, the company launched the first-ever paper tube container, drastically reducing plastic usage by 80%. This innovative tube is designed to separate easily from any plastic components, ensuring easy recycling, while also being robust enough to carry over 50 kg without breaking.

Building on this success, Kolmar Korea unveiled a paper stick in 2023 that utilizes mineral paper, achieving an impressive 86% reduction in plastic consumption. The design allows the paper layers to peel away, enabling consumers to use every bit of the product without waste, successfully marrying sustainability with practicality. Furthermore, in April 2023, the company introduced a one-handed paper pump package, inspired by traditional milk cartons, which is crafted entirely from recyclable materials and caters to both convenience and environmental needs, addressing the demands of consumers globally.

Achievements in Design

These packaging innovations have not gone unnoticed in the design community. The paper tube and stick received top honors in the form of three major global design awards: the IDEA, the iF Design Award, and the Red Dot Design Award. This showcases Kolmar Korea's commitment to competitiveness and excellence in sustainable packaging.

Sustainable Ingredients and Formulations

In addition to packaging, Kolmar Korea is also innovating in the area of raw materials and formulations for clean beauty. In 2022, the company developed an eco-friendly extraction method utilizing sunflower, cranberry, and cleome, which reduced carbon emissions by 83% while enhancing the effectiveness of active ingredients by 870%. This method has been incorporated into their line of sunscreens branded under the clean beauty concept in 2023, receiving a 'Green Technology Product' certification from the South Korean Ministry of Environment.

Additionally, Kolmar Korea has successfully replaced microplastics with natural silica in its decorative cosmetics, improving product texture, stability, and overall sustainability without compromising functionality.

Commitment to Low-Carbon Production

Kolmar Korea is also leading the charge in low-carbon and eco-friendly production methods. The company joined the K-RE100 initiative in 2022, pledging to utilize 100% renewable energy by 2050. The Sejong facility has already seen a reduction in CO₂ emissions by approximately 143 tons in 2023 thanks to expanded solar installations. Furthermore, the company has set up a specialized division aimed at achieving 'zero waste to landfills,' promoting systematic recycling and reducing waste disposal rates.

Global Recognition

Kolmar Korea's expansive efforts towards sustainability have not gone unnoticed globally. In 2024, TIME magazine ranked the company 125th in their list of 'World's Best Companies for Sustainable Growth 2025', making Kolmar Korea the only K-Beauty brand recognized on the list, highlighting its position as a leader in eco-friendly practices within the international cosmetics market.

Spokesperson from Kolmar Korea articulated, “Developing eco-friendly technologies is not a short-term success but a fundamental business strategy to increase sustainability across the entire industry. We will continue to be at the forefront as a company driving sustainable growth in the global cosmetics sector.”

About Kolmar Korea

Kolmar Korea, based in Seoul, South Korea, is renowned for its innovations in formulations, packaging, and sustainable production. Collaborating with leading beauty brands worldwide, Kolmar Korea champions clean beauty and eco-friendly solutions, aiming to shape a more sustainable future for the global cosmetics industry.