China's Jilin Zhengye raises tens of millions of yuan to put hydrogen in face masks
What's the deal? Hydrogen-molecule materials company Jilin Zhengye Biological Products (奇麟正维)Dealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has raised tens of millions of yuan in a Series A round. The round was led by Meili Linghang Fund, a fund under Tiantu InvestmentDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
What does it make? Founded in 2022, the company is an upstream supplier that sells hydrogen-molecule raw materials and finished materials to beauty brands and manufacturers. It was incubated by Hangzhou Industrial Investment GroupDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and works with Jiangnan UniversityDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → on commercialising research.
Why hydrogen? A 2007 paper in Nature Medicine found hydrogen molecules have a selective antioxidant effect, a property often linked to anti-ageing. The science is supported by later studies, but getting a stable, sufficient dose into tissue has been the barrier, since hydrogen dissolves poorly in water and escapes easily.
The product: Its first product is a "mask companion" — a dry film worn over a wet sheet mask. Essence from the wet mask triggers a hydrolysis reaction in the dry film, releasing hydrogen toward the skin on demand. Current mass-production versions produce about 800ml of hydrogen per sheet over roughly 15 minutes, up from tens of millilitres in early versions.
The traction: The company says it works with CosmaxDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, ShiseidoDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Lin QingxuanDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Dr PlantDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and Shanghai JahwaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, with some orders rising to 500,000 to 1 million sheets each. Cumulative shipments of the mask companion are near 50 million sheets, its main revenue source so far.
What's the endgame? Proceeds will fund technology iteration, a new production base in Huzhou, R&D hiring, and market expansion. The Huzhou site is planned for annual capacity of 1 billion mask-companion sheets. A second product line, a lipid microcapsule reactor branded "Haiperqing," aims to bring hydrogen into serums, lotions, and creams, and is expected to start generating revenue by year-end.
The signal: China's face-mask market is projected to reach 83.78 billion yuan in 2026 but is stuck in low-price competition. By positioning as a materials supplier rather than a consumer brand, Jilin Zhengye is betting the value sits in the ingredient layer, not the crowded shelf.
Read more: 36kr.com
Image credit: davidthiel
