Amorepacific has concluded an MOU for the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biological and genetic resources with Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute(KAGI) on Oct 6, 2021.

KAGI is an institution specialized in operating and managing the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum and Sejong National Arboretum. Amorepacific and KAGI have agreed to enhance their level of cooperation to faithfully carry out ESG management. They will conduct joint research aimed at conserving and restoring biodiversity. They will share their libraries to secure and use seeds and co-develop materials that have the potential to be commercialized using domestic forest resources. They will also join forces to improve the competitiveness of indigenous species by studying the vegetation and cultivation technology for rare, endemic plants.

Building on the company philosophy, “We make A MORE beautiful world,” Amorepacific announced five management pledges for sustainable development, aimed at accompanying customers and society and protecting the environment. The MOU was designed to meet the fifth management pledge by investing 10 billion won for the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biological and genetic resources and ensuring that at least 90 percent of palm oil used by Amorepacific should be Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certified palm oil by 2023.

For years, Amorepacific has been researching ways to preserve and make use of indigenous plants. It has not only discovered native, endemic species including the company’s core materials, ginseng, green tea, camellia, and Asian seeds, but has also developed new varieties. Furthermore, Amorepacific restored the white chrysanthemum, which was lost and was only found in Donguibogam (an encyclopedic bible of medical knowledge of treatment techniques compiled in Korea published in 1613) and used it as a raw material for its beauty products. The company also studied hundreds of bean varieties that were of little value due to their poor taste, and found flat beans that are effective for skin care. The company also restored endangered wildflowers on Jeju Island and took the rose of Sharon and green tea and used them as raw materials for cosmetics for their strong effects on skin health. Amorepacific also collaborated with Everland, the largest amusement park in Korea with a big rose garden where a wide array of rose varieties is developed, so that the scent and the effect of roses on the skin can be further researched.

Park Young-ho, the head of R&D Center at Amorepacific said, “We are looking forward to achieving synergy by combining the business philosophy of two companies that place high value on the environment. Amorepacific and KAGI will continue to explore ways to make the environment and people healthier and more beautiful and also lead the effort to promote ESG management.”