An affiliate of private equity firm One Rock Capital Partners LLC has closed its acquisition of a manufacturing plant in Kankakee, IL and several related specialty chemical businesses from German chemicals firm BASF, a recent company release announced.

Vegetable-oil-based raw material sterols and natural vitamin E, anionic surfactants, and esters are produced at the Kankakee site for a variety of end markets, including home and personal care, food and nutrition, healthcare, and agriculture. Under One Rock’s ownership, the business will be branded as Kensing and based near Chicago.  

“In working closely with our operating partners and BASF, we have been impressed by the talented team in Kankakee and are eager to build on the company’s well-deserved reputation for high-purity manufacturing and customer service under the Kensing brand,” said Tony W. Lee, managing partner of One Rock, in a statement.

Serge Rogasik was named to serve as the first chief executive officer of Kensing. The executive formerly served as senior executive vice president, Personal Care at Vantage Specialty Chemicals and has occupied leadership roles at BASF, Solvay, Eastman Chemical, and other chemical and biotech companies.

“I am very excited to lead Kensing at this momentous time. Demand for plant-based ingredients is growing at a fast pace in our global markets and Kensing provides a very strong platform from which to expand our portfolio and services to our customers,” said Rogasik in the release.