Cosmax Establishes Cosmetics Major in Indonesia

Indonesia's cosmetics industry is evolving from a simple manufacturing focus to an R&D-driven transformation. Leading this shift is Cosmax, a global cosmetics Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) company, which has introduced a bachelor’s degree program in cosmetics science at Padjadjaran University, a respected national university in West Java.

This is the first undergraduate program in Indonesia solely focused on cosmetics, offering a comprehensive curriculum that spans skin and hair research, formulation development, and safety evaluation.

The program is designed to produce specialized professionals who can meet the upcoming halal certification requirements by October 2026 and comply with tightening regulations from the local food and drug authority. Cosmax is a key partner in the ABG (Academic-Industry Business Growth) Program, a government-led initiative in Indonesia that aims to transfer academic research into industry for commercial use.

Together with Padjadjaran University, Cosmax plans to boost joint research leveraging Indonesia's unique biological resources, including the development of antioxidant materials using tempoyak, a traditional fermented food, and skin-brightening and functional materials from red yeast fermentation.

Infrastructure support is being provided to bolster practical capabilities alongside theoretical education. Cosmax is helping construct a 'teaching factory' on campus where students can see research turning into manufacturing and commercialization. Additionally, the company plans to run a year-round internship program and actively seek out and develop locally suitable R&D talent.

Jeong Min-kyung, Cosmax Indonesia's Managing Director, is dedicated to furthering industry-academia collaboration locally to boost the company's technological capabilities.