History
Since 1951, CATEXEL Nease has been helping customers solve complex formulation challenges with high-quality specialty chemicals and technical expertise. Originally founded as the Pedlow-Nease Company, we began producing hydrotropes in 1958 and quickly established a reputation as a trusted manufacturer of sulfonated aromatics, serving the cleaning, industrial, and specialty chemical markets.
As customer needs evolved, so did we. Over the years, we expanded our capabilities and product portfolio to include phosphate esters, sulfonic acid catalysts, surfactants, naphthalene sulfonates, and bleach activators. Today, our products support manufacturers across a diverse range of industries, including HI&I cleaning, agriculture, coatings, construction, metalworking, oilfield, pulp and paper, and textile processing.
In 2024, we became CATEXEL Nease LLC, joining the CATEXEL specialty chemicals platform, part of The International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG). While preserving the trusted Nease legacy our customers have relied on for generations, we also expanded our global reach through an international network of manufacturing, technical expertise, and customer support. Today, with operations in the greater Cincinnati area and the strength of a growing international footprint, we deliver innovative specialty chemical solutions backed by world-class manufacturing, research and development, responsive service, and more than 75 years of industry experience.
1951
2026
Key Milestones
| 1951 | Founded as Pedlow-Nease Company |
| 1958 | Began manufacturing hydrotropes |
| 1978 | Acquired by Ruetgers AG; became Ruetgers-Nease |
| 1997 | Renamed Ruetgers Organics Corporation |
| 1999 | Marketing and R&D relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 2005 | Became Nease Corporation under ICIG ownership |
| 2014 | Expanded strategic partnerships and product offerings in North America |
| 2024 | Rebranded as CATEXEL Nease LLC |
| 2026 | Expanded global footprint through acquisition of BASF’s optical brightener business and production site in Monthey, Switzerland (through the CATEXEL organization) |