What Roots Lab does

Roots Lab (ROOTS LAB Inc.) is a South Korea-based R&D-driven B2B ingredient manufacturer founded in May 2020, headquartered in Asan-si. The company converts agricultural by-products — primarily pear (stone cells, peel), onion, citrus, and rice bran — into high-value functional ingredients for cosmetics, food, health supplements, and household chemical products. Its core technology platform comprises enzymatic hydrolysis, low-temperature extraction, functional coating, and nano-sizing processes, with proprietary Pear Cell and coating technologies serving as flagship differentiators in microplastic-replacement and natural brightening applications. The product catalogue spans Natural Ingredients (Stone Cell, Pear Cell, Pear Cell Powder, Chitin, Chitosan, Chito-biz, Dietary Fiber Powder), Functional Ingredients (Natural Niacinamide, Natural Arbutin, Serva, 4-Butylresorcinol, Elamelior, Innoxila, p-Hydroxycinnamic acid, Coating Pear Cell variants), Antioxidant Materials (Natural Quercetin, Rumitect), and a forensic reagent (LFP Developing Reagent).

Roots Lab monetizes through direct B2B sales of ingredients to enterprise manufacturers, supplemented by contract manufacturing services for custom formulations and technology licensing to partners. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The customer base is anchored by Korean conglomerates and major manufacturers including Kolmar Korea (purchasing contract and MOU, 2021), Lotte Central Research Center (MOU, 2021 and 2023), LG Household & Health Care, Harim, and Daesang Corporation. Distribution has expanded internationally through supply contracts with Japanese and European distributors in March 2025 and a wholly-owned China subsidiary established December 2024. The company operates from four Korean facilities: an Asan headquarters and Smart Factory (1,983 sqm manufacturing), a Seoul R&D and sales center, a Seongnam GMP cleanroom plant (Class 10,000/100,000 zones), and an Incheon pilot facility.

Roots Lab completed Series A funding in December 2022 and Series B funding in February 2025, has been designated a Baby Unicorn company (June 2025), and holds certifications including ISO 9001/14001/45001, INNO-BIZ, MAIN-BIZ, Advanced Technology/Product certification, Global IP Star Company, Venture Company status, and FDA/KFDA/MFDS ingredient approvals. The company reports first-half 2025 revenue growth above 200% year-over-year and has begun extending its upcycling platform into adjacent verticals, including an October 2025 MOU with Korea University Medical Center for medical waste upcycling.

Name

Roots Lab

Legal name

ROOTS LAB Inc.

Website

https://rootslab.co.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Roots Lab is a South Korea-based R&D company founded in 2020 that upcycles agricultural by-products (pear, onion, citrus, rice bran) into natural functional ingredients — including Pear Cell microplastic alternatives, natural niacinamide, arbutin, chitin/chitosan, and natural preservatives — sold B2B to cosmetics, food, health supplement, and household chemical manufacturers globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dongan

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. B2B Ingredient Sales: Direct sales of natural functional ingredients (Pear Cell, natural niacinamide, quercetin, chitin/chitosan, etc.) to cosmetics, food, health supplement, and household chemical manufacturers. One-time product transactions with recurring customer relationships.
2. Technology Licensing: Licensing of proprietary processing technologies and formulations to manufacturing partners.
3. Contract Manufacturing: Custom ingredient development and production services for specific customer requirements using proprietary R&D capabilities and GMP facilities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Roots Lab is an R&D-focused manufacturer that converts agricultural by-products (pear, onion, citrus, rice bran) into natural and functional ingredients. It supplies these ingredients—including Pear Cell cellulose, natural niacinamide, natural arbutin, quercetin, chitin/chitosan, and proprietary preservatives—to cosmetics, food, health supplement, and household chemical manufacturers. The company also licenses proprietary processing technologies and offers custom contract ingredient development using its GMP-certified facilities.

Product overview

Roots Lab is an R&D company specializing in eco-friendly natural and functional ingredients derived from agricultural by-products. The product portfolio consists of four main categories: Natural Ingredients (Stone Cell, Pear Cell, Pear Cell Powder, Chitin, Chitosan, Chito-biz, Dietary Fiber Powder), Functional Ingredients (Natural Niacinamide, Natural Arbutin, Serva, p-Hydroxycinnamic acid, 4-Butylresorcinol, Coating Pear Cell variants, Elamelior, Innoxila), Antioxidant Materials (Natural Quercetin, Rumitect), and Other Specialty Ingredients (LFP Developing Reagent). The core flagship technology is Pear Cell—natural cellulose from pear stone cells—used as a microplastic replacement in cosmetics. Products are supplied to cosmetics, food, health supplement, and household chemical industries, with applications ranging from exfoliation and brightening to preservation and UV protection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stone Cell (RSSB01) Pear stone cell-derived dietary fiber ingredient with tartar reduction and digestive health support properties. Allergen-free natural material used in food additives and pet food applications.
• Pear Cell (RPMV02) Low-irritation natural cellulose exfoliant derived from pear stone cells with porous structure for sebum and impurity absorption. Features particle size 5-15 micrometers with approximately 98% below 38 micrometers.
• Pear Cell Powder (RPPW02) Natural cellulose-based powder from pear by-products serving as safe alternative to talc, silica, and mica for cosmetics and personal care. Features low Mohs hardness for minimal skin irritation.
• Natural Niacinamide (RNNW02) Citrus-derived brightening ingredient with 98.4% purity, FDA and KFDA approved. Water-soluble vitamin B3 that inhibits melanin transfer for skin tone management.
• Natural Arbutin (RNAW02) MFDS-designated brightening ingredient from pear peel by-products. Hydroquinone-free, eco-friendly extraction providing antioxidant and skin-conditioning benefits.
• Serva Amino acid-derived preservative based on Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hydrochloride. FDA and EFSA listed, GRAS certified, offering high stability across food pH ranges.
• Natural Quercetin (RNQW02) Onion-derived flavonoid polyphenol with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Provides skin aging prevention, soothing, and multifunctional benefits for cosmetic formulations.
• p-Hydroxycinnamic acid (RPH) Rice bran-derived natural ingredient with antioxidant activity for skin aging prevention and soothing effects. Used in cosmetics and household products.
• 4-Butylresorcinol Next-generation brightening ingredient with COSMOS, Green Certification, and ECOCERT certification. Eco-friendly microwave synthesis with zero residual resorcinol.
• Coating Pear Cell Powder

Quantifiable outcome

• 200%+ revenue increase in first half 2025 compared to previous year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Korea University Medical Center (고려대의료원)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2025ESG cooperation partnership for medical waste upcycling. Roots Lab presented medical waste recycling solutions at the Sustainable Hospitals seminar organized by Korea University Medical Center. Roots Lab signed MOU as an ESG collaboration partner to provide waste reduction and resource circulation solutions.
• GNIminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025ESG cooperation partner alongside Roots Lab for medical waste management solutions. GNI focuses on medical waste sterilization and crushing facility construction.
• Japanese and European DistributorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2025Supply contracts established with Japanese and European distributors for international market coverage and sales expansion.
• China SubsidiarycoreOthers · 1 December 2024Established China subsidiary in December 2024 for regional market expansion and Asian market coverage.
• Lotte Central Research Center (롯데중앙연구소)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023MOU signed for R&D collaboration on cosmetic ingredient development. Second MOU signed in 2023 showing ongoing partnership.
• Kolmar Korea (한국콜마)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2021Strategic partnership including purchasing contract and MOU for raw material supply. Kolmar Korea is a major Korean cosmetics OEM/ODM manufacturer.
• Korea University (고려대학교)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021Family company support agreement signed for R&D collaboration and technology development partnership.
• Gyeonggi Creative Economy Innovation Center (경기창조경제혁신센터)minorOthersPartner in Climate Tech Startup Fostering Project providing mentorship, demonstration, and overseas linkage support.
• Korea Agricultural Technology Promotion AgencyminorOthersGovernment agency partner for Impact Earth program and agricultural technology advancement.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Bloomage Biotechnology: Chinese fermentation-based hyaluronic acid and bio-active ingredient manufacturer supplying global cosmetic brands. Comparable as an Asian-origin specialty bio-ingredient supplier scaling into global cosmetic and skincare applications via proprietary biotech processes.

Broad incumbents

• Evonik Industries: German specialty chemicals company with a major cosmetics and personal care ingredients business. Comparable as a large incumbent supplier of functional and natural-derived ingredients to the same cosmetic and household chemical customers Roots Lab targets, but with vastly broader portfolio and global scale.
• Croda International: UK-based specialty ingredients company serving personal care, health care, and food markets with a strong natural and sustainable ingredient portfolio. Comparable as a global supplier of cosmetic functional ingredients with sustainability-led positioning; operates at much larger scale than Roots Lab.
• DSM-Firmenich: Global nutrition, health, and beauty ingredients company formed by the merger of DSM and Firmenich. Comparable as a major incumbent serving cosmetics, food, and personal care customers with functional and natural ingredients; represents both a competitor and a potential acquisition/partner for Roots Lab.
• Symrise:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Roots Lab