About Us
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.
Our innovative tradition will always force forward thinking; we were the first natural wax company to purchase a Sandvik Pastillator for prilling beeswax, and introduced the first commercially available beeswax esters. Further, this attitude and approach led to the development of synthetic alternatives to natural plant waxes, as well as our chemists developing natural wax derivatives such as Siliconyl Beeswax, Self Emulsifying Carnauba, and PEG-8 Beeswax — among others.
During the early 2000's we partnered with the US Department of Agriculture in developing a process to utilize agricultural waste products, resulting for one, in the development of Orange and Lemon Peel waxes. Most recently, we became the first company to introduce sustainable waxes that mimic the physical and chemical properties of non-renewable petrochemical and mineral-based raw materials - Kester Waxes.
We will continue to make innovation our tradition, using our unique expertise and perspective to produce the best, most appropriate products for our customers.
We also believe that the only way to produce the finest waxes is to start with the best resource available. So whether it is scouring the plains of Northern Brazil, or across Africa, we work diligently with our global suppliers and partners so we only source the highest quality raw materials. Our customers should expect nothing less and neither do we.
100% organic waxes guarantee the purest and highest quality cosmetic and food ingredients; our all natural fruit and vegetable waxes are physically processed with no chemical reactions or solvent extractions, utilizing nature's perfect balance of surface protection, ˜breathing and water balance to be adapted for use on the skin. Whether we are helping velvety lipsticks and glosses retain their luster and efficacy all day, enhancing the sheen on fine chocolates, providing the special coatings on critical medications, or generally ensuring our customers' products have unique quality performance and feel benefits, we are always true to our belief that high quality raw materials help bring a high quality end product.
It is this approach that has not only led to longstanding partnerships with many major corporations over, but also with our international suppliers. In 2008 we became the first natural wax company in the USA to obtain the USDA Organic Handling Certificate, while in 2010 Koster Keunen became the first company in our field to receive Fair Trade certification. TransFair USA is the only independent, third party certifier of Fair Trade products in the US. Their rigorous audit system, which tracks products from farm to finished product, verifies industry compliance with Fair Trade criteria, and we are extremely proud to be leading this positive process.
