Kolmar Korea has been recognized for its commitment to sustainable growth, earning a spot on TIME’s list of the World’s Best Companies in Sustainable Growth 2026. This marks the second consecutive year the company has received this honor, highlighting its leadership in eco-friendly innovation and responsible business practices. The announcement was made on November 13, 2025, in collaboration with the global research firm Statista, which evaluated over 4,000 companies worldwide.
Ranking at 294th overall, Kolmar Korea is one of only ten South Korean companies featured on the list, and notably, the sole Korean cosmetics company to achieve this distinction for two years running. The evaluation criteria included revenue growth, financial stability, and environmental impact, each contributing equally to the total score, which was calculated on a 100-point scale. Kolmar Korea achieved a commendable score of 81.02, placing it within the top 7% of global corporations.
Commitment to Sustainability
Despite facing increased competition from global firms that demonstrate strong compound annual growth rates (CAGR) and financial resilience, Kolmar Korea has maintained its robust position. The company excelled particularly in sustainability metrics, ranking 2nd among Korean firms in terms of carbon intensity and emissions performance. Furthermore, it is within the top 30% worldwide for waste and water-resource management, underscoring its dedication to eco-friendly practices.
Kolmar Korea’s innovative approach includes the development of sustainable packaging solutions, such as paper tubes, paper sticks, and one-hand pump paper packs, which significantly reduce plastic usage. These packaging innovations have earned the company accolades from prestigious design competitions, including the International Design Excellence Awards, iF Design Award, and Red Dot Design Award.
In addition to packaging, Kolmar Korea is advancing its product formulations. Its portfolio features a Green Technology Product-certified sunscreen made through an anti-aging ingredient extraction method that decreases carbon emissions by 83%. The company also offers biodegradable hair and body care products that break down naturally by more than 99%, lessening their environmental impact.
Enhancing the Beauty Ecosystem
Kolmar Korea’s commitment extends beyond its operations. The company has made strides to bolster the Korean beauty ecosystem by fostering collaboration with emerging indie beauty brands. It regularly organizes seminars focusing on beauty trends and marketing strategies for client brands. Additionally, Kolmar supports indie-brand pop-up stores during Seoul Beauty Week and has been hosting the sustainability seminar “CONNECT FOR GREEN” since 2023 to cultivate a collaborative ESG value chain.
Yoon Sang Hyun, Vice Chairman of Kolmar Group, expressed pride in the company’s recognition, stating, “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.” He emphasized the company’s ongoing responsibility to lead in eco-friendly management and technological innovation.
As Kolmar Korea continues to prioritize sustainable practices, its achievements signal a growing trend in the cosmetics industry towards environmental responsibility and innovative solutions. The company’s recognition by TIME not only highlights its current successes but also sets a benchmark for future initiatives in sustainable growth.
