Pilot Chemical partners with Novvi to supply biobased surfactants to North America
This alliance reflects broader industry trends toward renewable and high-performance ingredients.
USA – Pilot Chemical Company and Novvi LLC have announced an exclusive partnership to introduce a new sustainable surfactant technology to the North American market.
The collaboration centers on CalCare® AOS, a biobased alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS) surfactant that offers a fully renewable, high-performance alternative to traditional synthetic surfactants commonly used in household, industrial, and institutional (I&I), and personal care applications.
Under the agreement, Pilot Chemical will be the exclusive sulfonator and distributor of Novvi’s CalCare® AOS in North America, with production at Pilot’s commercial-scale facility in Middletown, Ohio.
The surfactants replicate the performance of conventional AOS while providing sulfate-alternative, biobased content aligned with growing market demand for eco-conscious and sustainable ingredients.
This offering aims to help customers achieve their environmental and sustainability goals without compromising product efficacy.
The partnership leverages Novvi’s expertise in renewable alpha olefin feedstock technology and supply chain capabilities with Pilot’s recognized leadership in sulfonation and anionic surfactant innovation.
Richard Rehg, Vice President of Commercial at Pilot Chemical, emphasized the significance of being the first to bring these biobased surfactants to the North American household, industrial and institutional (I&I), and personal care markets.
Jeremy Austin, Senior Vice President of Product Strategy and Market Development at Novvi, stated, “We are excited to collaborate with Pilot to refresh a trusted surfactant technology—now made from sustainable feedstocks—in the North American market, meeting today’s demand for performance and environmental responsibility.”
“Pilot Chemical is the ideal partner in this space, combining unmatched expertise in sulfonation and a proven track record in surfactant innovation.”
Commercial availability of CalCare® AOS surfactants is expected to begin in the second half of 2025, marking a notable advance in sustainable specialty chemicals and surfactant innovation for personal care and cleaning product manufacturers in North America.
This alliance reflects broader industry trends toward renewable, high-performance ingredients designed to satisfy evolving sustainability standards, regulatory pressures, and consumer preferences for greener products.
This launch comes at a time when demand for biobased surfactants in North America is accelerating, driven by consumer preference for sustainable formulations and tightening regulatory standards around petrochemical ingredients.
According to a report published by Grand View Research, the overall North American surfactants market is projected to reach USD 16.25 billion by 2030, growing at a 5.4% CAGR from 2025.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.
