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Private company

Crompton Corporation

Logo: FDRMRZUSA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons3

Former chemical company

Crompton Corporation (NYSE: CK, formerly Crompton and Knowles) was a chemical research, production, sales and distribution company headquartered in Middlebury, Connecticut. The company produced specialty chemicals used for polymers, fire suppressants and retardants, pool and spa water purification systems and various other applications. In 2005, Crompton merged with Great Lakes Chemical Corporation to become Chemtura.2 It was founded by William Crompton.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1837Founded1
  • HeadquartersMiddlebury1

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Crompton Corporation (NYSE: CK, formerly Crompton and Knowles) was a chemical research, production, sales and distribution company headquartered in Middlebury, Connecticut. The company produced specialty chemicals used for polymers, fire suppressants and retardants, pool and spa water purification systems and various other applications. In 2005, Crompton merged with Great Lakes Chemical Corporation to become Chemtura.2

The story

Founded by William Crompton in 1837.1

Crompton Corporation traced its origins to 1837 when founder William Crompton invented a loom for weaving patterns in cotton, an innovation that led in the 1840s to the founding of Crompton Loom Works in Worcester, Massachusetts by his son George Crompton. The company merged in 1879 with rival Knowles Brothers to form the Crompton & Knowles Loom Works.

In 1999, Crompton & Knowles and Witco Corporation announced an intent to form C & K Witco Corporation. The merger was completed in 2000. Shortly after the merger, the name of the company was changed to Crompton Corporation.

In 2005, Crompton merged with Great Lakes Chemical Corporation of West Lafayette, Indiana, to form Chemtura, headquartered in Philadelphia.

Crompton's ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange was CK.

From Wikipedia’s article on Crompton Corporation, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Leadership

Who has led Crompton Corporation, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Timeline

  1. 1837Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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