The Massachusetts-based advanced manufacturing company’s platform allows for automated, continuous production of micro-scale structures without the need for traditional tooling or molds, which are features that may appeal to brands seeking flexibility, faster lead times, and domestic manufacturing solutions.
“Unlike traditional 3D printers, we produce at micron-scale resolution in a continuous process, enabling 24/7 lights-out manufacturing with features fine enough and volume high enough for beauty applications like lashes and applicators,” Jifei Ou, CEO and Founder of OPT Industries, told CosmeticsDesign US.
The company’s technology supports a shift away from rigid manufacturing models by reducing dependency on manual labor and overseas supply chains. “Our customers are real-world examples of brands that are successfully embracing this new approach to manufacture products domestically, and for the first time beauty brands can access true mass customization at scale,” he said.
Applications in lashes and applicators
Currently, OPT Industries is manufacturing two main product categories: false eyelashes and cosmetic applicators, including brushes for mascara, lip, and brow products.
In the lash category, the company has utilized shape-memory materials and soft, flexible microstructures to enable custom curl patterns and designs not possible through conventional manufacturing. “There’s no need for tooling or hand assembly, gluing or heat fusing, ” said Ou, which “means faster lead times, lower upfront costs, and more design flexibility for brands.”
For applicators, the technology allows engineering of “bristle shapes, hollow structures, and surface textures at the micron level,” he explained, with the goal of enhancing application performance and product pickup.
Accelerating speed to market
According to Ou, one of the platform’s core advantages is its ability to help brands respond to consumer trends with shortened development cycles. “Instead of waiting months to respond to trends, brands can now move from idea to production in weeks,” he said.
Using false lashes as an example, he noted that traditional manufacturing processes often involve overseas prototyping and production with minimum order quantities and long lead times. “With OPT’s platform, we can design, test, and produce new lash styles in a matter of days. No tooling,” he said.
Case study: TAD Beauty
One example is OPT’s collaboration with US-based brand TAD, which used the platform to develop a line of DIY eyelash extensions. Ou said the line became the first eyelash product manufactured in the US, incorporating vertical microstructures for easier application and a proprietary shape-memory material.
“People describe the lashes as ‘lightweight, soft, and incredibly natural-looking.’ One reviewer said they’ve ‘never found a lash that holds a curl this well,’” he noted. From the brand’s perspective, the ability to go from concept to production quickly while maintaining control over design was a key benefit.
Sustainability benefits
In addition to speed and flexibility, OPT’s platform may offer sustainability advantages through on-demand production and reduced material waste. “Our process is digital and additive, meaning we use only the material needed, and no waste from molds or tooling,” said Ou. He added that the system consumes less energy than traditional injection molding and eliminates emissions tied to overseas shipping.
He also highlighted the platform’s role in inventory management, explaining that on-demand production enables brands to minimize overproduction and avoid holding excess stock.
Future outlook
Looking ahead, OPT Industries plans to expand its applications to areas such as “microneedles and skin-contact applicators, where form, function, and safety all matter,” Ou said.
The company is also investing in capabilities for personalized product development. “Imagine custom lashes, beauty tools, or even nails made to fit you, just like a dentist tailors a retainer or aligner,” he added.
Ou positioned the company not just as a manufacturer but as a collaborative technology partner. “If you’ve ever thought, ‘This design is too complex to manufacture,’ or ‘Our current vendor could never make this,’ that’s where we come in,” he concluded.
