#USA #K-Beauty #Kolmar Korea #Scott Township

Kolmar Korea Expands Operations in the United States

In a significant development for the Korean cosmetics industry, Kolmar Korea has officially launched full operations at its second manufacturing facility in the United States, located in Scott Township, Pennsylvania. This factory, encompassing an impressive area of 17,805 square meters, is poised to enhance Kolmar's production capacity to 300 million units annually across its U.S. operations, marking a pivotal step in their strategy to cater to the growing demand for K-beauty products in America.

The factory's launch was celebrated in a grand opening ceremony held on July 16, 2025, attended by notable figures including Yoon Sang Hyun, Vice Chairman of Kolmar Group, and Pennsylvania State Representative Bridget Kosierowski. During the event, Yoon articulated the broader global ambitions of Kolmar, emphasizing the importance of the U.S. market, where the company began its journey a century ago. "This second factory is not just a manufacturing site but the starting point for a new vision of collaboration and growth. We aim to build an innovative ecosystem with various partners across the supply chain, establishing the largest cosmetic manufacturing hub in North America," he stated.

With the completion of this new plant, the total manufacturing capacity in North America has surged to 470 million units, the largest for a contract manufacturer in the cosmetics industry on the continent. The facility specializes in skincare products and sun care items, which are increasingly in demand in the U.S. market. This expansion complements the existing capabilities of Kolmar's first U.S. factory, which focuses on color cosmetics.

Moreover, Kolmar Korea has received FDA certification for OTC manufacturing, a crucial milestone that enables the production of sun care products within the U.S., thereby allowing the company to respond swiftly to the surging popularity of Korean sunscreens in the American market.

The state-of-the-art factory is designed to mirror the high standards of Kolmar's facility in Sejong, South Korea. It integrates cutting-edge quality monitoring and process optimization technologies, ensuring minimal defect rates. Notably, 80% of the production is fully automated, significantly enhancing efficiency and safety.

As Kolmar Korea sets its sights on the American market, the new factory is crucial in providing a local production base, which helps to bypass U.S. tariffs on imported cosmetics. This strategic move is particularly beneficial for both Korean brands aiming to enter the U.S. market and global customers looking to expand into North America, Europe, and South America. A spokesperson from Kolmar commented, "This is the first time a Korean cosmetics company has built a manufacturing facility in the U.S. directly rather than through an acquisition; it represents a groundbreaking achievement. We are prepared to support Korean cosmetics brands seeking to launch in the U.S. without tariff concerns, as well as global customers eager to tap into North America and beyond. Our collaborative ecosystem is ready for rapid expansion."

This announcement reflects Kolmar's commitment to tapping into the growing beauty market, addressing logistical challenges, and ensuring that consumer demand for K-beauty products is met domestically. As the American market continues to embrace Korean beauty trends, Kolmar Korea stands at the forefront, ready to cater to this burgeoning demand, thereby solidifying its place as a key player in the global cosmetics space.