[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] Kolmar Korea announced on the 29th that it has succeeded in developing a technology that replaces microplastics used in color cosmetics with natural substances.
According to Kolmar Korea, powder formulations containing microplastics are widely used in color cosmetics for their smooth application. However, there has been a market demand for alternatives to microplastics considering environmental protection.
Kolmar Korea focused on silica as a material that can replace microplastics. Silica is a mineral-derived ingredient commonly used in cosmetics, known for its excellent sebum control and pore care effects. It also prevents cosmetic ingredients from clumping and helps regulate the product's viscosity. Although there have been many studies on silica as a microplastic substitute due to its similar form and function, the high oil absorption property of silica has limited its commercialization.
Kolmar Korea minimized the size of silica particles to reduce their oil absorption properties. The principle is to minimize the space for oil absorption by reducing the size of the pores on the silica surface. This reduced the oil absorption property by more than 50% and improved the application feel.
The company aims to launch the product early next year and plans to expand its use to basic cosmetics that include powder formulations.
A Kolmar Korea official said, “Interest in clean beauty continues to grow, and domestic and international clients are increasingly requesting product development excluding microplastics,” adding, “We will lead the development of eco-friendly materials and localization efforts to build a sustainable industrial ecosystem.”
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