Keene Corporation (formerly Baldwin-Ehret-Hill, Inc.) was a manufacturer of asbestos-containing insulation products, sealants, and construction materials supplied to the United States Navy and to naval shipyards. Keene Corporation produced a range of products used in shipboard and shore facility construction, including asbestos-containing insulating cements, coatings, and sealants. Among Keene’s Navy-specific products was “CC Navy Sealer” — an asbestos-containing sealant marketed to the Navy between 1942 and 1962. Keene Corporation became one of the major asbestos defendants in naval asbestos litigation, including through Navy Yard trial proceedings. Publicly filed asbestos litigation records document Keene with the CC Navy Sealer product documentation, Navy Yard trial records, claims that Keene labeled products “asbestos-free” despite containing asbestos, and Keene thermal insulation documentation on Navy ships.

Documented Asbestos in Keene Corporation Navy Products

CC Navy Sealer — Named Navy Product (1942–1962)

“CC Navy Sealer (1942-1962)…” — “CC Navy Sealer” is specifically documented in the publicly filed asbestos litigation corpus as a Keene Corporation product marketed to the Navy, with a product life spanning 1942 to 1962. The CC Navy Sealer name — incorporating “Navy” directly into the product designation — establishes that this Keene sealant product was specifically designed and marketed for naval applications. The 1942-1962 date range covers the entire World War II production period and the early Cold War, placing CC Navy Sealer in use throughout the peak of naval shipbuilding and overhaul operations. Sealants of this type were used throughout ship construction to seal joints, seams, and penetrations in insulated spaces — creating asbestos exposure for workers applying and later disturbing the sealant.

Navy Yard Trial — Formal Court Proceedings

“Navy Yard Trial, a trial that resulted in [a finding against Keene]…” — Keene Corporation appears as a defendant in a “Navy Yard Trial” proceeding in the corpus. Navy Yard Trial proceedings were formal court proceedings specifically structured around asbestos exposure at naval shipyards — the most concentrated form of asbestos litigation in which venue-level evidence was systematically developed. Keene Corporation’s appearance as a defendant in a Navy Yard trial establishes that Keene products were specifically identified as exposure sources at one or more naval shipyards.

“Asbestos-Free” Labeling — Fraudulent Designation

“Insulation labeled asbestos-free by Keene, [but actually containing asbestos]…” — testimony or documentation specifically addressing Keene Corporation’s practice of labeling asbestos-containing insulation products as “asbestos-free” appears in the publicly filed asbestos litigation corpus. This “asbestos-free” labeling allegation — that Keene marked its products as not containing asbestos when they in fact did contain asbestos — is one of the most significant liability findings in the Keene asbestos record. Workers who relied on the “asbestos-free” labeling as a safety assurance were denied the opportunity to take protective measures when working with Keene products that actually contained asbestos.

Thermal Insulation on Navy Ships

“led thermal insulation on ships; some clai[ms against Keene]…” — documentation of Keene thermal insulation specifically on Navy ships appears in the corpus, with asbestos claims arising from that insulation. Keene supplied thermal insulation products to naval shipyards for application in engineering spaces, machinery rooms, and insulated compartments aboard Navy vessels.

“NAVAL SHIPS…” — formal documentation of Keene products specifically in the naval ship context appears in the corpus, establishing the scope of Keene’s presence in the Navy supply chain.

Product Documentation — Keene Insulation

“KEENE INSULAT[ION]…” — formal Keene Corporation insulation product documentation appears in the corpus, consistent with the range of insulating cements, coatings, and thermal insulation products that Keene manufactured and supplied to naval and industrial customers.

“Non-Keene Asbestos Manufacturing/Mining…” — documentation distinguishing Keene-manufactured asbestos products from non-Keene asbestos sources appears in the corpus, reflecting the formal categorization of asbestos product defendants used in multi-defendant asbestos litigation.

Exposure Pathways for Keene Products

CC Navy Sealer application: Workers applying CC Navy Sealer to ship joints and seams were exposed to asbestos in the wet or drying sealant. Later workers who drilled, cut, or removed hardened CC Navy Sealer were exposed to asbestos dust released from the disturbed material.

Thermal insulation application: Keene thermal insulation applied to ship machinery and piping released asbestos during application (mixing of insulating cement, application to irregular surfaces) and during later removal.

“Asbestos-free” product exposure: Workers who used Keene products believed to be “asbestos-free” based on product labeling were exposed to asbestos without knowledge of the hazard, precluding protective action.

Navy veterans and shipyard workers exposed to Keene Corporation CC Navy Sealer or asbestos-labeled insulation products, who subsequently developed mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural disease may qualify for:

  • VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) for veterans with documented exposure to ship sealants and insulation products during Navy service (1942–1962 and beyond)
  • Civil claims against Keene Corporation successors based on the documented use of asbestos in products labeled “asbestos-free” and failure to warn about asbestos in CC Navy Sealer

Key documents:

  • DD-214 or service records — documenting ship construction or maintenance work during the 1942-1962 CC Navy Sealer period
  • Employment records — shipyard work involving sealant application or insulation installation
  • Diagnosis — mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural disease

Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956

All consultations are free. No fee unless a financial recovery is made on your behalf.

Exposure documentation derived from publicly filed asbestos litigation records including CC Navy Sealer (1942-1962) product documentation, Navy Yard trial proceedings naming Keene Corporation, documentation that Keene labeled asbestos-containing insulation as “asbestos-free,” and Keene thermal insulation records specifically on Navy ships. This does not constitute legal or medical advice.