Connell announces exclusive distribution agreement with Geltor

Connell, a leading distributor of specialty chemicals and ingredients in Asia-Pacific, recently announced an exclusive distribution agreement with biodesign company, Geltor.

The company, based in San Leandro, Calif., develops 100% animal- and GMO-free proteins and says it’s creating the purest collagens on available on the market.

Founded in 2015, they use a sustainable clean fermentation process that includes no animal input.

The plant-based proteins are “[selected by] the finest bioactive compounds found throughout the rich vastness of plant and animal life on Earth, and curate our molecular palette,” according to the company website.

With a push in recent years for more natural options in skincare, sales for such products in 2018 totaled $1.6 billion and accounted for more than a quarter of overall skincare sales – up 23% from the year before, according to CNN.

It was reported in 2017 that nearly 50% of skincare-using women were looking for natural products, according to NPD.

After meeting at Princeton University, co-founders of Geltor, Alex Lorestani Ph.D., and Nick Ouzounov, Ph.D., asked themselves, “Why [are] beauty and nutrition products still reliant upon outdated animal inputs in spite of advances in biology, medicine and computer science?” according to the Geltor website.

Used in skincare formulations, Geltor's line of natural collagen creates biocompatibility with human skin, all while being produced in a more sustainable and ethical way when compared to animal-sourced collagens.

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Along with use in skincare, Gelter has produced powdered collagen protein for nutrition purposes, stating on their webside that, “The massive demand for protein additives in almost every food, beverage and supplement category can’t be sustained by relying on animal or even plant models. By tapping nature’s rich protein palette and consciously biodesigning collagen peptides with zero animal inputs, we’re powering advanced, next-generation nutrition formulas that are both sustainable and healthy."

This also creates the possibility of meeting the needs of a more targeted consumer, including halal products for the Muslim beauty market, kosher products for the Jewish community and those who lead exclusively plant-based consumer lifestyles. 

"I am deeply impressed with Geltor's approach to innovation,” Azita Owlia, president and CEO of Connell, said in the release. "It's intensely focused on solving customer problems, just like we do at Connell. We hold ourselves responsible for bringing our customers the latest innovations to help them meet the needs of their own customers. These days, sustainability is a top priority for consumers. Alliances with companies like Geltor help our customers stay on top of their game.”

As a partner with Geltor and other companies, Connell says that it helps “drive market share and growth, [creating a] comprehensive pipeline of breakthrough products, technical and supply chain solutions [and] offers a superior customer experience and opportunities for collaborative innovation.”

Connell says that the introduction of Geltor’s technology to the market in Asia-pacific has been wholly positive. They had “an enthusiastic reception at recent trade shows in Asia where consumers immediately recognized the superior quality of its products,” according to the release.

The agreement between the companies was put into immediate effect.

"Geltor is thrilled to be partnering with a world-class distribution partner of Connell's caliber," said Dr. Lorestani in the release. "The team's uncompromising commitment to excellence in all they do has been palpable from the start of our relationship. It's an honor to be working with Connell to bring the benefits of Geltor's ingredients to customers across the Asia-Pacific region."