3 mins

The Story of a First

With end users checking the labels of beauty products for ingredient information, we are looking at a whole new era of beauty consumers. Anil Jain, Owner, Gangwal Chemicals, is a first generation entrepreneur and a proponent of green beauty. In an interview with Priyanka Parshurami he talks about the evolution of the ingredients segment.

How has the cosmetic ingredients industry changed over the years?

Cosmetics manufacturing is a difficult process, and competition in the global cosmetics market is fierce. In consumer trends, the only constant changes, regional differences, high raw material costs, and a plethora of regulations add to the complexity. Time-to-market and manufacturing flexibility is critical in the race for market share.

For centuries, certain natural beauty routines have been practiced, and chemical cosmetics were first introduced in India during the British period. From the last two decades, the focus is more on promoting natural and herbal products. At Gangwal Healthcare, our expertise in production automation and intelligence, and dependable instrumentation ives efficient and secure manufacturing to provide a competitive advantage.

From being a CA to working on chemical formulations for the beauty industry, what was your motivation in this journey?

The going is never easy for a first-generation trepreneur like me. After completing the super tough artered Accountancy (CA) entrance, I worked for a w months at a CA firm. But as they say, you cannot ke the zeal out of an entrepreneur. But the zeal which reamt of at the age of 14 never let me rest.

Chance favours those who are determined and ady for it. My neighbours noticed my business acumen d offered a business proposal to start a partnership emical business. This was the beginning of the now- acclaimed Gangwal Group. Going by my motto of ‘Manaa Manaa Hai’, which translates to ‘Never Say Never’, there was no stopping my dreams.

“I want to leave behind a legacy of green and non-polluting ingredients for the coming generations of beauty and cosmetics manufacturers. I am passionate about green chemistry and would like to focus on innovation."

The masterstroke came in the form of getting K CJain (my father) on the Board of Gangwal Group. He brought six decades of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical R&D, projects and production having been associated with leading MNCs and a major Indian pharmaceutical company.

You are into distribution, contract manufacturing and beauty products. Which is your favourite?

It is very hard to answer this question as they all are equally important to me. However, if I have to choose then manufacturing has an upper edge as my core competence is innovation through R&D. We are starting our own state-of-art cosmetics-only manufacturing plant passed by the US FDA in Mumbai by mid-2024. We have also tied up with a renowned Singapore-based cosmetic company and together we are coming up with green sulphates which is a very unique product, not offered by company till date.

Are you into contract manufacturing only or their formulations, too?

We do formulation and manufacturing both. We usually take turnkey projects, where the client comes with requirements about the product to be developed i.e its consistency, fragrance, colour, purpose, etc. Based on these facts we shortlist the ingredients, create formulations and manufacture the product.

All the ingredients used by us are lab and clinically tested and the end products are dermatologically tested.

Which are your key ingredients and formulations for the professional beauty industry?

There is no specific ingredient, which is a key gredient. Few of our star players or ingredients e witch hazel or water emulsifier and multani mitti lay), which we import from France as it is free m impurities and heavy metals. We use such high ality ingredients because we want our products to highly effective and beneficial.

How has the professional beauty industry evolved er the years?

According to an Assocham and MRSS India study, e current market size of India’s cosmetics and ooming industry was $6.5 billion in 2017. The figure expected to reach $35 billion by 2035. The concept beauty and hair care has evolved over time, as s the market. The beauty industry is more diverse and sustainable today than it has ever been.

What is your take on the new trend of vegan or stainable products?

This industry is divided into different segments: low, id, luxury and professional segments. Luxury and ofessional segments are more sure about what ey are offering to their users and, yes, there is a ge difference in terms of green ingredients that make the products perfects.

Who are your key clients from the auty industry?

Our current major client is Skin Story and we anufacture and formulate for them. However, we e under CDA hence cannot disclose more brand mes. Once our state-of-art factory is functional, e can start manufacturing for the big players well.

What are your plans for the future?

I am passionate about green chemistry and would e to focus on innovations.

This article appears in the Dec 2022-Jan 2023 Issue of Professional Beauty/ Hairdressers Journal India

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This article appears in the Dec 2022-Jan 2023 Issue of Professional Beauty/ Hairdressers Journal India