[1] As head of Arvey Corp., Regenstein made many innovations in the paper, plastic and chemical fields.
In 1931, Regenstein formed a business with his cousin, Julius Hyman, the Velsicol Chemical Corporation that manufactured several chlorinated insecticides including Dieldrin, Aldrin, Chlordane and Heptachlor which were the focus of Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring.
Regenstein maintained an intense interest in the development of Chicago and its institutions.
To honor him, the Joseph and Helen Regenstein Foundation, on November 9, 1965, gave $10,000,000 toward the new graduate research library at University of Chicago.
His son Joseph Regenstein Jr was a life trustee of the university until his death on March 4, 1999, at age 75.