WOBURN, Mass. and SEOUL, South Korea – September 17, 2025 – CJ Biomaterials, Inc., a division of South Korea-based CJ CheilJedang and a primary producer of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymers, announced that it signed an MOU for the development of cosmetic containers using their PHACT™ PHA with Cosmax, a cosmetics ODM (Original Development Manufacturing) company.
Through this agreement, the two companies will work together to develop and expand the adoption of eco-friendly cosmetic containers. CJ Biomaterials will use its PHACT™ PHA to develop and supply materials with properties suitable for cosmetic containers. Cosmax will then use it to develop various cosmetic containers and packaging.
The MOU signing ceremony was held on the 16th at the Cosmax Pangyo building in Seongnam City. Officials from both companies attended, including Chung Hyuk-sung (CJ Biomaterials Head), Jung Moo-young (CJ Biomaterials Business Operations Manager), Kang Seunghyun (Cosmax R&I Unit Head), and Kim Jung-kyum (Cosmax R&I PS Lab Head).
Mr. Jung said, “Through this cooperation with Cosmax, a global number one company, we expect to increase the use of PHA in the beauty field, which is a major consumer of plastic.” He also said, “Through close collaboration, we will show an innovative material solution that can reduce the burden on the environment.”
The two companies also plan to cooperate at global beauty exhibitions to expand the use of cosmetic containers and packaging made with PHACT™ PHA and to accelerate adoption with global brands through joint marketing initiatives.
PHACT™ PHA is a biopolymer made by microorganisms through the process of fermenting renewable plant sugars. PHACT™ PHA is third-party certified as industrial and home compostable, as well as biodegradable in soil and marine environments. PHA’s inherent biodegradability means it will not create persistent microplastics and is therefore gaining attention as a next-generation material to replace fossil-based plastic. CJ Biomaterials started commercial production of their amorphous PHA in 2022 and launched their semi-crystalline PHA in 2024.
CJ Biomaterials has been working to commercialize their unique PHACT™ PHA through strategic market collaborations. In March, a cooperation with Itochu Plastics, a subsidiary of Itochu Corporation in Japan, was announced to begin to enter the Japanese bioplastics market. Also, CJ Biomaterials developed flexible packaging using their PHACT™ PHA for use in Olive Young’s ‘Onul Dream’ same-day delivery service. CJ Biomaterials continues to develop innovative, functional, and sustainable applications including for paper coatings, cosmetic containers, and household product packaging.
About CJ BIOMATERIALS
CJ Biomaterials, a business unit of global lifestyle company CJ CheilJedang, is a leading manufacturer of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymers. The company’s proprietary PHACT™ PHA technology transforms carbon dioxide sequestered in plant sugars into innovative biopolymers through a unique, highly efficient fermentation process that produces both amorphous and semi-crystalline PHAs. These PHAs are certified biobased, compostable in home and commercial composting conditions, and biodegradable in marine and soil environments, and do not create persistent microplastics. CJ Biomaterials partners with brands across packaging, consumer goods, food service, nonwovens, and other industries to develop new materials and applications that reduce environmental impact while meeting rigorous performance standards. With headquarters in Seoul, Korea; offices in Woburn, MA, USA, and Frankfurt, Germany; and manufacturing facilities strategically positioned to serve global markets; CJ Biomaterials is committed to scaling sustainable material solutions that accelerate the transition to a circular bioeconomy. To learn more about CJ Biomaterials visit cjbiomaterials.com.
