Talent and technology, the blend of man and machine in perfect harmony, that’s what has helped Koster Keunen become the world’s leading refiner and processor of waxes. We pride ourselves on employing the best chemists and investing in the latest equipment to help guarantee we can meet any and all of our customers’ needs.
Koster Keunen is one of the world’s leading processors, refiners and marketers of natural waxes. Since 1852, Koster Keunen Holland and Koster Keunen U.S.A. have specialized in processing, formulating, and marketing quality waxes to the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, candle, and food industries.
From beeswax, the foundation of the business and one of our principal products, Koster Keunen has developed various new products to meet new and constantly evolving client requirements. In the area of natural waxes, beeswax derivatives have been created, such as BW Ester BW67, Cera Bellina as well as siliconyl Beeswax, and PEG-8 Beeswax. Specialty synthetic waxes are Kester (Koster + Ester) waxes such as K82H and K82P, inspired by our unique knowledge of the composition of beeswax. Vegetable waxes include Carnauba Wax, Candelilla Wax, and several composites. Orange Peel Wax, Sunflower Wax, and Rice Bran Wax have been added to our natural wax portfolio.
Koster Keunen’s strength is its extensive knowledge of waxes and scientific experience in developing new products. By working closely together with our customers’ R&D departments as well as formulators, we enable our clients to create unique formulas with strong added value in its end product properties.
In 1852, in the small Dutch village of Aalst, Koster Keunen established its first factory. We have been a family-owned company ever since, always staying true to our founding principles of quality, service, and innovation. This philosophy brought us great results early on and has helped the company grow and develop into the highly successful organization we are today.
1836-1922
1844-1919
1873-1955
1914-1988
1946-2009
Koster Keunen Holland was founded as a family business in 1852, in Aalst (near Eindhoven), after the wedding of Johanna Keunen and Bernhard Koster.
The prime user of refined beeswax was the candle industry. Back in those days, bleaching beeswax was a seasonal task; the only available method was exposing beeswax to sunlight in large open fields.
While at first beeswax was mainly used for candles, at the start of the 20th century pharmaceuticals, food, and especially cosmetics became important markets for beeswax. In 1930, the company moved to the USA. Koster Keunen, LLC was founded in Sayville, N.Y. to supply the American market and a second home base for the company was established.
In 1960, Frits Koster (3rd generation) went back to Holland with two of his sons (Louis & Fred) to re-establish a new Dutch factory site in Geldrop, as before, near Eindhoven. The demand for products increased substantially, and by the end of the 60s, Koster Keunen had the status of the biggest supplier of bleached and refined beeswax in Europe. The expansion of the sales market brought the need for additional production space with it. In 1973, the company moved to a new and modern factory site in Bladel. For the same reasons, the U.S.A.-based company moved from Sayville, N.Y., to Watertown, CT, in 1994. From these two locations, Koster Keunen operates at present.
Production Facility
Raambrug 3
5531 AG Bladel
The Netherlands
Production Facility
1021 Echo Lake Road
Watertown, CT 06795-0069
The United States
Koster Keunen Holland BV
P.O. Box 53
Raambrug 3
5531 AB Bladel
The Netherlands
