KOLMAR Korea Accelerates Targeting the $30 Trillion Middle East Cosmetics Market

$20.5 Billion in 2019... Growing 7% Annually
Exclusive Development and Production of Cosmetics for Middle East Region
‘Halal Certification System’ Established at Sejong and Bucheon Factories

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] Korean Kolmar's domestically produced cosmetics, developed and manufactured exclusively by the company, will be distributed throughout the Middle East region with a population of 1.8 billion. Taking this opportunity, Korean Kolmar plans to expand its market not only in the Middle East but also into North Africa, thereby strengthening its position in the global market.

Korean Kolmar announced on the 7th that it will develop and supply its own brand cosmetic products to UAE BPC, a business consulting agency for import and export in the United Arab Emirates. This is the first achievement among domestic cosmetic companies.

UAE BPC was established by the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA), the UAE certification authority, to foster various industrial sectors including cosmetics. UAE BPC highly evaluated Korean Kolmar’s convergence technology, global infrastructure, and quality control standards, entrusting the entire process of product development and manufacturing exclusively to the company. The products developed by Korean Kolmar will be distributed throughout the Middle East via the own brand shops operated by UAE BPC.

On this day, Abdullah Al Maini, Chairman of UAE BPC (former ESMA Director), Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of UAE BPC, and Yoon Jutaek, Chairman of the International Beauty Industry Trade Association (IBITA), visited Korean Kolmar and attended a meeting regarding the launch of private brand (PB) products in the Middle East region.

During the meeting, detailed matters for entering the Middle East and North African cosmetics markets were discussed, and sample tests of the upcoming PB products were conducted.

The products Korean Kolmar supplies to the Middle East are derma cosmetics. Considering the local dry climate environment, the products are being developed with a focus on moisture supply and strengthening the skin barrier. The company plans to supply products in accordance with future requests from UAE BPC, including halal certification that excludes animal-derived ingredients.

Previously, Korean Kolmar established a ‘Halal Assurance System’ at its Sejong and Bucheon factories for the production of basic and color cosmetics respectively. Halal certification is an essential element for entering Islamic cultural regions such as the Middle East, granted to products permitted for use and consumption by Muslims. In particular, production conditions are strict, requiring no prohibited ingredients or raw materials and dedicated production lines.

Choi Hyunkyoo, CEO of Korean Kolmar, emphasized, “Since the UAE is a hub country leading consumer trends in the Middle East region, supplying PB products this time will serve as a foothold for Korean Kolmar’s entry into the Middle East. We will secure competitiveness in the Middle East and North African markets with outstanding technology representing K-beauty.”

Earlier, in February, Korean Kolmar signed a business agreement with IBITA to promote exports to the Middle East and North Africa. IBITA acts as the Korean representative office supporting the domestic cosmetics industry’s entry into the Middle East in cooperation with UAE ESMA. Korean Kolmar has established a cooperative system with UAE BPC through IBITA.

Meanwhile, according to Euromonitor, the Middle East cosmetics market is estimated to be worth 30 trillion KRW, making it the fourth largest global beauty market after the United States, Japan, and China.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.