Something Old and Something New

Recent trends in sulfate-free and low 1,4-dioxane surfactants have increased the demand for alternative chemistries like Alpha Olefin Sulfonates (AOS). Alpha Olefin Sulfonates (AOS) have been available since the 1930s, with commercial production of the underlying alpha olefins starting in 1912. AOS, as a specific surfactant, was first explored commercially in the 1960s¹. Early production relied on natural fats and oils, but the use of ethylene from the 1960s onwards has become the preferred method.

Pilot Chemical Increasing its AOS Production Capacity

Pilot Chemical Company announced its plan to significantly expand its North American production of high-quality anionic surfactants at its Middletown, Ohio manufacturing site. The expansion will enable the company to more than double the volume of alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS) that it supplies to the household, industrial and institutional (I&I) and personal care markets. This substantial investment in Air/SO3 technology complements Pilot’s previous expansion of its proprietary ice-cold sulfonation technology capacity at its Middletown site in 2024.

Calsoft® AOS-40 is a cost-effective anionic surfactant with a good balance of cleaning & foaming

Pilot’s Calsoft® AOS-40 provides high soil removal in laundry applications at very low cost-in-use.

Among anionic surfactants, Calsoft® AOS-40 provides high grease cleaning and foaming at an affordable cost-in-use.

 Growing Portfolio of AOS Products to Meet Emerging Needs

Pilot’s AOS is available in various grades, with some grades containing preservatives or no preservatives, and other grades being freeze stable.

Calsoft® AOS-40 surfactant is a 40% active solution of sodium C14-16 alpha olefin sulfonate that offers the advantages of high foaming power, good emulsification, skin mildness and hard water tolerance. These properties make it excellent for cleaning and grease cutting in light-duty dish liquid and heavy-duty laundry detergents. It is fully compatible with other anionic, amphoteric, and nonionic surfactants.

Calsoft® AOS-40 HP is listed on EPA’s CleanGredients list as an approved ingredient that meets US EPA’s Safer Choice Standard.

 

Pilot Announces Exclusive Partnership with Kao Corporation

Recently, Pilot announced an exclusive partnership with Kao Corporation to bring a new sustainable surfactant technology, Bio IOS® biobased internal olefin sulfonates, to the North American market. Bio IOS® technology will enable customers to meet sustainability goals without compromising performance in a range of household, industrial and institutional (I&I), personal care (PC), and other applications.

The partnership will leverage Kao’s Bio IOS® technology and commercial-scale feedstock supply. Pilot will serve as the exclusive marketing channel and sulfonation partner of Bio IOS® technology for North America and will produce Bio IOS® biobased internal olefin sulfonates at commercial scale in its Middletown, Ohio facility.

The Bio IOS® biobased surfactant provides excellent performance properties, such as water solubility and surface activity, for use as primary or secondary surfactants in a variety of applications, including laundry and personal care applications. Commercial quantities will be available starting in 2026.

 

Bio IOS® is a unique surfactant that is used in Bio IOS® is a unique surfactant that is used in Kao’s Attack ZERO series detergent products². In Attack Zero, Bio IOS®

Please contact Pilot Chemical for more information or click HERE to request a sample.

¹ https://www.dsir.gov.in/sites/default/files/2019-12/tsr127.pdf

² Kao | Kao Unveils Revolutionary Liquid Laundry Detergent “Attack ZERO” in Japan