Connell Brothers Signs Agreement With World's Top Chemical Company

Connell Brothers Australasia recently announced it was appointed by BASF Australia, a subsidiary of BASF Corporation, the world’s leading chemical company, to distribute its human nutrition ingredients and pharmaceutical excipients across Australia and New Zealand. This includes performance food ingredients, functional food ingredients, and pharmacopoeia-certified excipients for the beverage, bakery, dessert, confectionary, dietary supplement, and related markets. Connell Brothers also currently has distribution agreements with BASF in Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore.

“BASF’s ability to offer an extensive portfolio of ingredients makes them a very important supplier to the food and pharmaceutical markets in Australia and New Zealand,” said Carol Toft, Business Manager, Connell Brothers Australasia. “Our customers will benefit from the even more comprehensive product list we will offer them through this expanded partnership agreement.”

In addition to the product expansion, Connell Brothers will assist its customers in the formulation and development of finished products that address market challenges or meet new market trends. To this end, Connell Brothers will add a food applications facility based in Sydney to provide comprehensive technical and commercial support.

“To accelerate business development, responsiveness, and customer intimacy, we have started construction of a food applications facility where we will make and test baked goods and desserts,” said Ms. Toft.

Connell Brothers also has food ingredient application facilities in Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand that service customers in the region.

“Partnering with Connell Brothers will allow BASF to improve its geographic and customer reach throughout the region,” said Simon Lord, Business Manager, BASF Australia and New Zealand. “The company’s technical support and knowledge of the local market in this highly regulated business makes them an excellent choice for BASF. We look forward to a fruitful business relationship with Connell Brothers and to all the new opportunities that this relationship will bring our company.”

Connell Brothers, a division of Wilbur-Ellis Company and the largest marketer and distributor of specialty chemicals and ingredients in Asia-Pacific, has over 29 employees in Australia and New Zealand. Their current product portfolio includes dietary fiber, fat replacers, modified starches, natural colors, natural mould inhibitors, and yeast extracts sold into baking, beverage, dairy, and small goods. A specialized range of active pharmaceuticals ingredients and excipients are also included in their offering.

BASF just completed the acquisition of Cognis, giving Connell Brothers customers in Australia and New Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore access to additional product offerings.