Kolmar Korea has announced the grand opening of its second factory in the United States, marking a new milestone in its global expansion and strengthening its position as North America’s largest cosmetics manufacturing hub. The facility was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held on July 16 (local time) in Scott Township, Pennsylvania, where Vice Chairman Sang-hyun Yoon highlighted the company’s vision of creating an innovative ecosystem through strong partnerships along the entire value chain.
During the ceremony, Yoon and approximately 100 participants, including Pennsylvania State Representative Brigette Coseiroski and clients’ representatives, gathered to celebrate this significant achievement. With the activation of Kolmar USA’s second plant, the company now possesses an annual production capacity of 300 million units, enabling it to meet the rising demand for both K-beauty products and international cosmetics brands seeking to address recent export tariffs to the U.S.
Covering approximately 17,805 square meters, the new facility can produce around 120 million units annually. When combined with the first plant and including the Canadian branch, Koklmar’s North American operations boast a total annual capacity of about 470 million units, making it the largest cosmetics manufacturing facility in the region.
The second plant will primarily focus on the production of basic skincare and sun care products, which are experiencing rapid growth in U.S. demand. While the first plant specialized in color cosmetics, this new facility completes a comprehensive ODM manufacturing system across all product categories—from color cosmetics to skincare and sun care. Additionally, receiving OTC (over-the-counter) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows rapid response to the surge in the U.S. sun protection market, including K-beauty sunscreens.
Kolmar Korea incorporated its advanced manufacturing systems from its flagship plant in Sejong, South Korea, into the new U.S. facility. The plant features AI-based quality monitoring, process optimization, and automation that reduces defect rates and maximizes efficiency and safety, with approximately 80% of the manufacturing processes fully automated. The logistics and workflow follow the principles established at the Sejong plant, ensuring seamless operations.
The company expects the second plant to serve as a ‘tariff safe zone,’ mitigating tariffs and meeting the diverse demands of domestic and international clients. It aims to solidify its position as the top partner for U.S. brands and global customers opting for products labeled ‘Made in USA.’
A Kolmar Korea spokesperson stated, “This second plant in the U.S. is the first case of a Korean cosmetics company establishing its own production facility locally, which is highly meaningful. We will swiftly respond to the various needs of K-beauty companies seeking to enter the U.S. market without tariffs, as well as global clients targeting North America, Europe, and South America, expanding our collaborations."
