Chinese personal care ingredient maker SpecChem has inaugurated its Japanese subsidiary located in Kobe.
SpecChem Biotechnology Japan is on the former site of Procter & Gamble’s Asia-Pacific headquarters and global R&D centre.
Appointed as its representative director, Lily Qi brings nearly three decades of experience at Procter & Gamble, where she was deeply involved in the development and management of globally renowned brands such as SK-II and Pantene.
Her leadership is expected to enhance SpecChem’s ability to serve Japanese clients with high-performance, sustainable ingredients tailored to local market needs.
“Kobe will serve as our innovation hub,” said Qi. “SpecChem Japan is committed to advancing the local development of eco-friendly raw materials to help Japanese partners meet their 2050 carbon neutrality targets.”
The launch coincided with the celebration of SpecChem Group’s 30th anniversary, marking a significant milestone as the company accelerates its growth in the Asian market.
Founded in 1995, SpecChem Group has become a trusted ingredient partner to the global beauty and health industries, operating in 96 countries and regions, specialising in peptide synthesis, biotech fermentation, plant extraction, and green chemistry.
The opening of the Japan subsidiary reinforces SpecChem’s strategic commitment to Asia and reflects its broader mission of delivering sustainable, science-based innovation across the industry, it said.
