Cosmetic OEM/ODM specialist company Imiin Co., Ltd. (represented by Kim Joo-won and Park Jeong-wan) announced on January 15th that it has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Asahi Kasei Corporation's Bemliese Sales Department in Tokyo, Japan, during the 'Cosme Week Tokyo 2026' exhibition.

Imiin CEO Park Jeong-wan (left) and Asahi Kasei's Bemliese Sales Department Manager Morishima (right) shake hands at the signing ceremony / Photo courtesy of Imiin Co., Ltd.

The signing ceremony took place at Asahi Kasei's headquarters in Tokyo, with Imiin CEO Park Jeong-wan and Asahi Kasei's Bemliese Sales Department Manager Morishima attending as representatives.

Having started as a sheet mask specialist in 2006 and pioneering the hydrogel category, Imiin has led the global K-beauty ODM industry. This is the first official collaboration between Imiin and Asahi Kasei, a Japanese manufacturer producing mainly fibers and chemical materials, including the functional sheet material 'Bemliese' made from cotton linter.

Notably, this MOU represents the first official agreement between a Korean ODM company and a Japanese material company focusing on cosmetic fabric materials, highlighting the significance of combining K-beauty with J-material technology. Imiin will handle ODM planning and product development, while Asahi Kasei will be responsible for material development and supply, establishing a mutually complementary partnership.

The two companies will collaborate on developing innovative products in three categories—hydrogels, mask packs, and pads—using Asahi Kasei's functional sheet material 'Bemliese'. They also plan to showcase the developed products at the 2026 Tokyo Cosme Week exhibition and strengthen promotional activities targeting global clients beyond the Korean and Japanese markets by setting up a collaboration booth.

Bemliese, a high-purity cellulose fiber made from cotton linter, has acquired various global certifications, including biodegradability, and is widely used as a premium nonwoven fabric in cosmetics like mask packs and pads, and in medical fields. Its soft texture, absorption, and adhesion enhance essence delivery, making it highly regarded as a luxury sheet material.

Through this MOU, Imiin and Asahi Kasei aim to develop innovative items based on Bemliese, such as hydrogels, mask packs, and pads, and conduct joint promotions to enter the Japanese and U.S. markets with global brands.

Meanwhile, the two companies jointly participated in 'Cosme Week Tokyo 2026', Japan's largest B2B cosmetics exhibition, held from January 14th to 16th, unveiling products developed for cosmetic use for the first time.

An Imiin representative stated, "Through collaboration with Asahi Kasei, we will accelerate the innovation of hydrogels, mask packs, and pads centered on Bemliese, providing an opportunity to present global strategy products combining the technologies of both companies."

Imiin is expanding its portfolio across the skincare sector, leveraging its accumulated hydrogel know-how and proprietary patented technology, and is advancing as a 'global total skincare ODM'. Currently supplying products to over 240 clients in more than 100 countries worldwide, Imiin has consistently participated in major global exhibitions like Cosmopack and MakeUp in New York, expanding its global network. It plans to further solidify its leadership representing K-beauty based on differentiated quality.