Kolmar Korea has earned significant recognition from TIME Magazine, being included in its list of the World’s Best Companies for Sustainable Growth in 2025.
Impressive Global Ranking
On November 27, TIME, in collaboration with Statista, unveiled its ranking of the top 500 companies worldwide that demonstrate outstanding sustainable development. Kolmar Korea achieved an impressive 125th rank globally and was the 6th highest among South Korean companies, notably standing out as the only representative from the Korean cosmetics industry on a list featuring 23 firms from the country.
The rankings were derived from a comprehensive evaluation encompassing several critical factors including revenue growth, financial health, and environmental impact, each contributing equally to an overall score out of 100. From a competitive pool of 3,000 leading companies across 150 countries, the assessment placed a strong emphasis on companies exhibiting transparent environmental reporting.
With a noteworthy overall score of 81.44, Kolmar Korea marked its place among the top 125 companies in the world. The firm achieved a remarkable three-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17%, positioning it in the top quarter for revenue growth while also earning a spot in the top 40% for financial stability. Additionally, Kolmar excelled in environmental performance, ranking within the world’s top 10% for key metrics such as carbon emissions, the use of renewable energy, and waste management practices, landing it the third-highest score among South Korean companies.
Commitment to Sustainability
The Vice-Chairman of Kolmar Group expressed the company’s commitment to evolve its sustainability practices, highlighting a drive for ongoing technological advancements that align with environmental stewardship. He reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to maintaining a significant presence as a key player in Korea’s global market.
Kolmar Korea’s impressive ranking underscores its unwavering commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles. The company is actively innovating to reduce carbon emissions, emphasizing eco-friendly technologies. One of its standout achievements is the introduction of paper-based cosmetic packaging—including a paper tube and a paper stick—pioneering sustainable methods within the industry.
The launch of the paper tube in 2021 marked a significant reduction of over 80% in plastic content compared to conventional containers. This innovative approach has garnered international acclaim, winning several prestigious design awards, including the IDEA, iF Design Award, and Red Dot Design Award. The company’s paper stick, utilized in stick-type cosmetics, further minimizes plastic usage by integrating mineral paper, solidifying Kolmar Korea’s leadership in sustainable innovation.
Collaborative Approach and Governance
Beyond product development, Kolmar Korea is forging partnerships with various market stakeholders to advocate for sustainable growth and improve collaboration within the industry. The firm seeks to create shared benefits with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including independent brands, to enhance the global presence of K-beauty. Thanks to these initiatives, K-beauty exports reached a historic USD 9.3 billion by November 2024, with projections indicating that yearly exports could surpass USD 10 billion.
To reinforce its governance and compliance framework, Kolmar Korea has set up an ESG committee under its board of directors. This move aims to strengthen its compliance protocols and ensure transparency in its operations. Esteemed domestic ESG evaluators, such as the Korea Institute of Corporate Governance and Sustainability, along with Sustinvest, acknowledged these efforts by awarding Kolmar Korea an impressive grade of A in their latest assessments.
Source: Cosmeticsbusiness.com