A Heritage of Innovating and Enhancing Lives

We named our company Kensing to honor the history and performance of our manufacturing facility on Kensington Avenue in Kankakee, IL. Originally built in 1948, today our site spans across 310 acres and reflects the most state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques so we can produce pure, precise and high quality products. It’s a site where innovation is routine. Where sustainability is prioritized. Where passion is everywhere. And where safety is paramount.

The name Kensing doesn’t merely reflect our home, but honors the legacy of our team and our culture, and their commitment to exceptional service and responsiveness. At Kensing, we are dedicated to making products that make lives better. Our community stronger. And to making the world a purely better place.

Our History

Founded in the late 1940s, the Kensing plant has long been known for its quality and reliability.

  • 1948

    Plant opened by General Mills Chemical to make fatty amines and polyamides

  • 1970

    Vitamin E operations begin, transferred from Ossining, NY

    1970

  • 1977

    Plant acquired by Henkel KGaA (Düsseldorf, Germany)

  • 1991

    Surfactant production begins

    1991

  • 1994

    Quality Management System certified ISO 9001

  • 2000

    Cognis becomes an independent business unit; separates from Henkel

    2000

  • 2002

    Environmental Management System certified ISO 14001

  • 2006

    Major expansion of the surfactant product line

    2006

  • 2010

    Cognis is acquired by BASF

  • 2021

    Plant purchased by One Rock Capital Partners; Kensing is founded

    2021

  • 2022

    Kensing acquires Vitae Naturals

  • 2022

    Kensing acquires the Hopewell, Virginia amphoteric surfactants and specialty esters manufacturing operations from Evonik Corporation

    2022

  • 2023

    Kensing Receives Gold EcoVadis Sustainability Rating

News & Events

A continuously updated collection of resources and articles keeping you up to date on the industry and Kensing solutions and services.