Kao Europe Research Laboratories were established in 1948 for Goldwell GmbH in Germany and were given their current name in 2012.

Kao Germany GmbH supplies the world market with professional hair care products under the three brand names of Goldwell, KMS and Oribe. The Kao Europe Research Laboratories pursue the development of hair coloring, perming products, shampoos, conditioners, styling products, and tools for salon use, as well as hair treatment techniques and information related to beauty. Our researchers listen to the beauticians who are our customers and constantly strive to develop new products and services that will satisfy them.

Established in 1988, Kao Americas Research Laboratories develop products for supporting the business operations of Kao USA Inc., which plays a key role in the premium personal care business, with items such as Jergens, Ban, Bioré, and Curél skin care products and Guhl and John Frieda hair care products. These brands are currently being marketed in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.

Kao Americas Research Laboratories strive to create products that are effective, attractive, and pleasing, with the aim of helping women feel and appreciate their own innate beauty.

Kao China Research and Development Center Co., Ltd. (KCRC) was established in Shanghai in 2006. It pursues consumer research in China and works to strengthen product development, focusing on skin products. KCRC engages in product and technology development to create products that will delight consumers.

In addition, KCRC is intensively reviewing traditional Chinese medical practices and Chinese herbal medicine with the aim of applying the results.

Kao Chemicals Europe (KCE) were established in 1999 by integrating the operations of research facilities of Kao Corporation S.A. in Spain, Kao Chemicals in Germany, and Kao Corporation (France) with the aim to support Kao's chemical business in Europe. In 2005, Quimi-Kao in Mexico also became a member of KCE, so that today research is being carried out in Kao Spain Research Labs, Kao Chemicals Germany Research Labs, Kao Chimigraf Research Labs, and Quimi-Kao Research Labs.

Work at these locations focuses on the development of various surfactants and their application to consumer products fields and industrial fields that meet local needs. Additional areas of interest include the local optimization of technologies for manufacturing toners, toner binders, inkjet ink, tertiary amines, and synthetic fragrances, and the development of compounded fragrances.