Olyphant, Pennsylvania and Seoul, South Korea – July 22, 2025
Kolmar Korea has officially opened its second manufacturing plant in the United States, a significant move to bolster its global K-Beauty presence and establish a protected production zone amidst international trade uncertainties.
During the July 16 factory completion ceremony, Kolmar Group Vice President Yoon Sang Hyun highlighted the company’s global vision. “Our journey began in the United States a century ago,” Hyun stated. “This second factory isn’t just about production; it’s the launchpad for a new era of collaboration and growth. We’re building an innovation ecosystem with partners across the value chain to create North America’s largest cosmetics manufacturing hub.”
The event was attended by approximately one hundred guests, including Vice President Yoon, Pennsylvania state representative Bridget Kosieowski, and other state government officials.
The new 17,805-square-meter facility boasts an annual production capacity of 120 million units. Combined with its existing U.S. plant, the company now has a total American production capacity of 300 million units per year. Including its Canadian operations, Kolmar Korea’s North American production capacity reaches 470 million units, positioning it as a leader among cosmetic original development manufacturers (ODMs) on the continent.
This expansion strengthens the company’s capabilities in skin care and solar products, areas experiencing surging demand in the U.S. The new plant complements the first factory’s specialization in color cosmetics. Kolmar Korea also holds an OTC license from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sunscreen production, enabling swift responses to the growing popularity of K-beauty sunscreens in the American market.
The facility incorporates Kolmar’s advanced “Made By Kolmar” manufacturing expertise, refined at its Sejong factory in Korea. Designed to mirror Sejong’s high standards, the U.S. plant features dedicated areas for manufacturing, filling, and packaging. Advanced AI-powered quality monitoring and process optimization aim for minimal defect rates, with 80% of production fully automated. Efficiency and safety are further enhanced as logistics and worker movement pathways are modeled after the Sejong plant.
Kolmar Korea anticipates the second factory will serve as a crucial base for mitigating U.S. customs duties on imported cosmetics. This offers a robust local production solution for both Korean and international brands targeting the American market.
A company spokesperson emphasized the historic nature of this direct U.S. plant construction, noting it’s the first time a Korean cosmetics firm has built a U.S. facility rather than acquiring an existing one. “We are ready to support K-Beauty brands entering the U.S. market without customs duty concerns,” the spokesperson said. “We also welcome international clients aiming for North America, Europe, and South America. Our collaborative ecosystem is poised for rapid expansion.”
Did you know? Kolmar Korea’s new U.S. plant aims to serve as a key strategy to bypass American import tariffs on cosmetics, providing a direct local production advantage for brands.
Key Takeaways
- Kolmar Korea’s second U.S. plant in Pennsylvania is now operational.
- The facility expands U.S. production capacity to 300 million units annually.
- The move aims to mitigate tariff risks and strengthen the K-Beauty global footprint.
- The plant utilizes advanced, AI-driven manufacturing processes.
