Imi-In, represented by CEO Park Jeong-wan, announced on the 3rd that it received the Minister of SMEs and Startups Award at the 2026 Korea Small Business Awards. This accolade recognizes the company’s significant contributions to the advancement of the cosmetic ODM industry and its role in enhancing national industrial competitiveness through export growth.

In addition to Park Jeong-wan, team leaders Park Hyun-woo and Choi Yoon-jeong have been honored with commendations from the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises for their respective roles in international sales and hydrogel production. This event, jointly organized by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises, celebrates outstanding small business leaders who have contributed to Korea’s economic development through job creation, exports, and social contributions, marking its 37th iteration under the slogan 'Turning Change into Opportunity, Challenging SMEs.'

The importance of this award lies in the external validation of Imi-In's hydrogel technology innovations and its competitive edge in global ODM, which the company has demonstrated through its expansion into overseas markets. Imi-In has developed its ODM capabilities, covering product planning, formulation development, and production across hydrogel and sheet masks, positioning itself as a total skincare ODM leader.

Expanding its product portfolio, Imi-In has extended its hydrogel-based technology beyond basic skincare to include PCT-based sun care lines. Recently, the company has collaborated with smart farming enterprise PlanTFarm and bio-material specialist BIOSPLASH to develop functional materials utilizing smart farm cultivation resources, while also working with Asahi Kasei of Japan to create eco-friendly products featuring biodegradable sheet materials.

This commitment to technological innovation and competitive advantage in the global market reflects in its robust growth trajectory, with Imi-In achieving sales of 40.9 billion KRW in Q1 2026, surpassing the 40 billion KRW mark for the first time on a quarterly basis. This figure represents a 22% increase compared to the same period last year, with the hydrogel category leading growth with a remarkable 42% increase year-on-year.

CEO Park Jeong-wan stated, "This award is a reflection of the ongoing efforts Imi-In has made toward technological innovation and global market expansion. In the future, we are committed to leveraging our differentiated formulation development capabilities and global ODM competitiveness to enhance K-beauty industry standards and sustain growth."

The recognition underscores a vital trend within the beauty industry, where innovation, sustainability, and global market strategy are increasingly pivotal for companies aspiring to maintain competitive differentiation in a crowded market.