Kolmar Korea, the global No.1 cosmetic ODM (Original Development Manufacturer), is accelerating its expansion into the US sunscreen market, having secured key certifications and established a new R&D center to understand better and cater to local consumers.
The company is focusing on the US due to the vast size of its sunscreen market, which was projected to have reached $2.6 billion last year, representing around 20 percent of the overall US cosmetics market valued at $12.4 billion, according to data from Euromonitor, cited by Kolmar Korea.
"Unlike in Korea, where sunscreens are categorized as cosmetics, in the US, sunscreens are categorized as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, which results in stricter regulatory requirements," a company official explained.
Kolmar Korea’s journey into the US market began in 2013 when it obtained OTC certification from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since then, the company has continued to develop technologies, including one that blocks blue light and near-infrared rays.
The company also introduced the world’s first stick-type sunscreen containing over 50 percent moisture essence and now holds more than 50 patents related to advanced UV protection technologies. With such technological prowess, Kolmar Korea occupies 70 percent of the domestic sunscreen market.
In 2022, the company’s research efforts were strengthened with the opening of the UV Tech Innovation Laboratory in Korea. The lab, staffed by 40 researchers, focuses on advancing UV protection products for both domestic and international markets. It is divided into three teams specializing in sunscreen, global UV formulation, and base makeup.
"Unlike other ODM companies, Kolmar is equipped with UV clinical testing equipment, which reduces its dependence on external testing institutions and allows faster and more precise responses to client needs," the company official added.
Kolmar USA 2nd plant in Pennsylvania
To further boost global sales, Kolmar Korea has been enhancing its R&D capacity in the US In March last year, the company established Kolmar Innovation Center in New Jersey, which works closely with the Kolmar R&D Complex in Korea to accelerate the development of new ingredients and formulations tailored to North American consumers.
With the completion of its second manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania, the company expects to strengthen its U.S. market presence by expanding local production across all cosmetic categories.
Brands using Kolmar Korea’s technology have already started gaining traction in the US market. Both Beauty of Joseon and d’Alba, collaborating clients of Kolmar Korea, have expanded their presence without the extensive marketing efforts. Beauty of Joseon’s flagship product, Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics, has surpassed 10 million sales globally, including in the US.
“There is unlimited growth potential in the North American market, including the US, as sunscreen functions are increasingly being integrated into makeup products such as BB creams and foundations,” the company official said. “We plan to actively target the US, the world’s largest beauty market, beyond our 70 percent sunscreen market share in Korea.”
