Receives high marks across five ESG-related categories
Aromatica announced Thursday that it has become the first listed company in South Korea to earn B Corp Certification, a globally recognized business credential.
B Corp Certification is administered by B Lab, a nonprofit organization, and is awarded based on a comprehensive assessment of a company's accountability to employees, customers, communities and the environment, as well as the governance structures that guide those commitments.
Aromatica received strong scores across all five evaluation categories: governance, workers, community, environment and customers.
The company was particularly recognized in the environment category for its use of recycled PET materials and its post-consumer container collection system. Aromatica was the first domestic company to commercialize PCR containers made from 100 percent recycled PET and has run campaigns to promote recycling. Through those efforts, it has collected a cumulative 22.5 metric tons of clear PET containers.
The company has also maintained a refill campaign aimed at reducing the use of new containers. Since launching its first refill pack in 2016, Aromatica has operated refill stations and refill days, and has expanded access to container reuse through zero-waste shops and similar channels.
Its energy management practices also drew positive marks. Aromatica has installed 315 solar panels on the rooftop of its smart factory in Osan, sourcing about 24 percent of its total electricity from renewable energy. In 2024, the company became the first beauty brand in South Korea to receive approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for a goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 42 percent by 2030.
In the community category, Aromatica stood out for requiring all employees to participate in volunteer activities at least once a year, among other wide-ranging social contribution efforts. The company also practices inclusive hiring, including employing workers with disabilities in full-time positions.
Aromatica plans to use the B Corp certification as an opportunity to communicate to overseas retailers and partners not only the quality of its products but also its approach to business — from ingredient sourcing through production to the end-of-life circulation of containers.
"The B Corp certification is the result of having our work reviewed — everything Aromatica has done to make products with good ingredients and to take responsibility for containers even after use," said Kim Young-gyun, chief executive of Aromatica.
spa@heraldcorp.com
