COSMAX, a global cosmetics ODM specializing in research, development, and manufacturing, held the '2026 COSMAX Raw Material Partner Forum' on the 27th at the Pangyo Startup Campus in Seongnam, South Korea. The purpose of the forum was to strengthen the foundation of raw material supply and proactively respond to global regulations and market changes by aligning COSMAX's formulation technology with the material capabilities of its supplier partners.
Attended by approximately 40 representatives from over 20 raw material companies, the forum featured discussions led by COSMAX's CEO, Choi Kyung, and the head of the R&I (Research & Innovation) unit, Kang Seung-hyun. Participants shared insights on domestic and international market and regulatory trends, discussed new raw material discovery, standardization of safety evaluation data, and collaborative research and product development models.
Under the theme 'Starting with Safety, Continuing with Trust,' COSMAX shared its strategies in response to the safety evaluation system scheduled for implementation in 2028. The company aims to establish a transparent data-sharing system on safety and efficacy from the early stages of raw material selection and enhance regulatory compliance capabilities through collaboration with suppliers.
The forum also addressed the theme 'Starting with Technology, Completing with Collaboration,' highlighting the demand for new raw materials from research institutes while sharing global consumer trends and requirements by category. Notably, there was a strong demand for enhanced functionality and sensory experiences in skin care and sun care products, with a commitment to secure premium raw materials and advance formulation technologies.
In alignment with enhanced clean beauty standards, COSMAX is intensifying its efforts to expand its supply chain focused on eco-friendly and alternative materials. The primary objective is to discover materials that maintain the sensory characteristics and performance of existing ingredients while improving safety and sustainability. The company is also examining the application of functional ingredients such as retinol and NAD+ in personal care, in response to growing global demand.
Moreover, to adapt to the social media-driven marketing environment, COSMAX is enhancing its sourcing of visually appealing materials that can be easily integrated into marketing content. This proactive approach aims to elevate the response capabilities of indie brands by suggesting materials with marketing potential from the product planning stage.
A COSMAX representative stated, “By combining the material technology of suppliers with COSMAX's formulation capabilities, we will continue to lead innovation in line with global trends. We will proactively respond to domestic and international regulations based on safety and efficacy data and present differentiated products.” Furthermore, COSMAX plans to institutionalize the Raw Material Partner Forum and overhaul the cooperation platform 'e-Biz' to standardize and simplify raw material proposals, thereby strengthening the infrastructure for material discovery.
