Eastman and Kolmar partner to scale biodegradable Esmeri™ technology, advancing high-performance, sustainable personal care solutions for global cosmetic brands.
Eastman, a global leader in specialty materials, and Kolmar Korea, a prominent international original development manufacturing (ODM) company in the cosmetics industry, have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly accelerate sustainable innovation in the personal care sector. This strategic collaboration is designed to support the development and commercialization of high-performing, biodegradable personal care solutions that enable brands to respond effectively to growing regulatory requirements and heightened consumer expectations around sustainability.
At the core of the partnership is the expansion of access to Eastman’s Esmeri™ technology platform, a next-generation cellulose ester innovation developed specifically for personal care applications. One of the flagship products under this platform, Esmeri CC1N10, is an advanced cellulose ester micropowder formulated for use in color cosmetics. Drawing on Eastman’s more than 100 years of experience and leadership in cellulose ester science, Esmeri represents a significant step forward in addressing environmental concerns associated with synthetic polymer microparticles.
Esmeri™ technology is readily biodegradable and has been validated according to OECD 301B testing guidelines. Importantly, it meets the requirements of the European Union’s latest biodegradation regulation for synthetic polymer microparticles (EU 2023/2055), making it a future-ready solution for global cosmetic brands navigating increasingly strict environmental standards. In addition to its sustainability credentials, Esmeri is engineered to deliver excellent performance, including enhanced sensory properties, stability, and formulation flexibility across a wide range of cosmetic products.
Travis Smith, executive vice president at Eastman, highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration, noting that Esmeri directly addresses the dual challenge faced by brands today—compliance with evolving regulations while continuing to meet consumer demand for innovative, high-quality products. He emphasized that Kolmar’s comprehensive, end-to-end manufacturing capabilities and extensive global presence will play a critical role in scaling the adoption of Esmeri and other advanced personal care ingredients worldwide. Through this partnership, Eastman aims to accelerate the availability of sustainable solutions without compromising on performance or aesthetics.
Beyond Esmeri™, the MoU opens the door for broader collaboration across Eastman’s personal care ingredients portfolio. This includes materials designed for use in skin care, sun care, hair care, fragrances, and color cosmetics, all developed to enhance product functionality while aligning with sustainability and regulatory goals. By combining Eastman’s materials science expertise with Kolmar’s formulation and manufacturing strengths, the companies aim to deliver solutions that reflect both technological innovation and real-world consumer needs.
Kolmar Korea brings deep expertise in sustainable manufacturing practices, human-centered product development, and problem-solving rooted in real consumer insights. Its strong influence in K-beauty and its global market reach position Kolmar as an ideal partner to help scale Eastman’s technologies across diverse beauty and personal care segments.
Han Sang-keun, vice president and chief technology officer at Kolmar Holdings, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating that Esmeri aligns seamlessly with Kolmar’s commitment to integrating advanced technology with responsible, sustainable practices. He noted that combining Eastman’s unique material innovations with Kolmar’s global consumer insights and deep formulation expertise will support accelerated, sustainable growth for both organizations.
Through this partnership, Eastman continues to reinforce its role as a key innovation partner for cosmetic brands worldwide, delivering materials that improve performance, texture, stability, and overall consumer experience across a broad range of beauty and personal care products.
