Kao Corporation is determined to reduce waste in cosmetics and packaging. Kao and Kosé Corporation agreed to fully collaborate on two sustainability initiatives. As the first step, Kao and Kosé have decided to start collaboration between Kao’s Horizontal Recycling of Cosmetic Plastic Bottles and Kosé's cooperative venture, Recycling Cosmetics into Paints Initiative. A project team from both companies is proceeding with more deliberations.

Kao supports Mangata Co., Ltd., which manufactures and sells paints and other colorants made by recycling makeup that is no longer in use, an initiative that Kosé has been cooperating with Mangata. Begining this Spring, Kao plans to start providing Mangata with cosmetics that could not become final products and those did not meet quality standards in laboratories. Kao will support upcycling by adding new value to cosmetics that have finished their roles.

Regarding sustainability collaborations between Kao and Kosé, both parties are proceeding with discussions with “initiatives to contribute to the realization of environmental protection and the resource-circulating society” and “initiatives to contribute to solution of social challenges” as the themes. The first collaborative initiatives, Horizontal Recycling of Cosmetic Plastic Bottles and Recycling Cosmetics into Paints Initiative, are part of initiatives to contribute to solution of social challenges.

Moving forward, Kao will continue to seek initiatives that allow both Kao and Kosé to collaborate beyond the scope of each company, and to create solutions that contribute to the realization of a sustainable society in various fields.


Recycling Plastic

Nearly a year ago, Kao began using the chemically recycled polyethylene terephthalate material (which is not recycled from cosmetic plastic bottles) manufactured by PET Refine Technology Co., Ltd., a group company of Jeplan Inc., in the bottle container of Twany. Furthermore, from February of this year, Kao will expand the brands that will use chemically recycled PET material and gradually include it in new products from brands such as est, Lissage, and Dew.

From February 1 through July 31, 2022, Kao is collecting used cosmetic plastic bottles at retail outlets directly run by Aeon in the Kanto region of Japan that sell Twany brand products, and at Color Studio cosmetics retail outlets in Aeon malls. The collected cosmetic plastic bottles are used for field testing of horizontal recycling to turn used cosmetic plastic bottles into new cosmetic plastic bottles, using Jeplan’s chemical recycling technology. Used resources are chemically broken down into the raw materials for PET resin and recycled. This method displays excellent ability to eliminate foreign matter and impurities from the material being recycled, according to the companies.. Kao’s goal is to make horizontal recycling a reality quickly and with cooperation from many customers, the collection work is proceeding smoothly at each target store.

Going forward, Kao will work with Kosé to achieve horizontal recycling from bottle to bottle, where used cosmetic plastic bottles are collected and recycled into cosmetic bottles. In addition, Kao and Kosé will accelerate the establishment of a collaborative plan by bringing together the knowledge of both companies.

Nearly three years ago, Kao Group established its ESG strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan. This collaboration with Kosé is an initiative that will contribute to “Zero Waste,” one of the Plan’s leadership action themes. In the future, by incorporating an ESG perspective into its management, Kao aims to further the development of its businesses while also delivering even better products and services to consumers and to society as a whole. In this way, Kao will be working toward the realization of a more prosperous and more harmonious world, according to the company.