Pilot Chemical Co. has entered into an exclusive partnership with Novvi LLC to introduce a new sustainable surfactant technology—biobased alpha olefin sulfonates—to the North American market.

Under the agreement, Pilot will be the sole sulfonator and distributor of Novvi’s CalCare® AOS biobased alpha olefin sulfonates across household, industrial and institutional (I&I), and personal care (PC) markets. Production will take place at Pilot’s commercial-scale facility in Middletown, Ohio.

The collaboration merges Novvi’s renewable alpha olefin feedstock technology and supply chain capabilities with Pilot’s industry leadership in sulfonation and anionic surfactants. The CalCare® AOS product line offers customers a sustainable, sulfate-alternative surfactant option without sacrificing performance, aligning with growing demand for eco-conscious ingredients in cleaning and personal care formulations.

“Novvi has led the way in scaling sustainable feedstocks for commercial use across industries,” said Richard Rehg, vice president of commercial at Pilot Chemical. “This partnership allows us to be the first to bring biobased alpha olefin sulfonates to the North American household, I&I and PC sectors, helping customers meet their sustainability goals.”

CalCare® AOS surfactants are fully biobased and provide comparable performance to traditional synthetic alpha olefin sulfonates. Their versatility makes them ideal for use in a variety of applications, including cleaning products and rinse-off personal care items.

“Pilot Chemical is the ideal partner in this space, combining unmatched sulfonation expertise with a strong record in surfactant innovation,” said Jeremy Austin, senior vice president of product strategy and market development at Novvi. “We’re thrilled to modernize a trusted surfactant technology using sustainable feedstocks and deliver it to a market that increasingly values both performance and environmental stewardship.”

The companies said commercial availability of CalCare® AOS will begin in the second half of this year.

Pilot Chemical, headquartered in Cincinnati, is recognized for its advanced surfactant technologies and commitment to sustainability. Novvi, based in California, develops renewable feedstocks and performance chemicals for a range of commercial uses.

This partnership signals a growing emphasis within the chemical and personal care industries on renewable, high-performance ingredients that align with evolving regulatory, consumer and corporate sustainability standards.

Pilot Chemical Co. is a privately held, independent global manufacturer of specialty chemicals, delivering high-quality products and services across a range of industries, including household, industrial and institutional (I&I); personal care; metalworking and lubricants; oilfield; and emulsion polymerization. The company leverages proprietary core technologies such as alkylation, sulfonation, and sulfation, along with specialized capabilities in biocide production and current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) products.

A recognized leader in chemical innovation and safety, Pilot operates the most advanced continuous sulfation system in North America. The company also holds a leading position in the production of quaternary ammonium compounds and is the world’s largest manufacturer of disulfonates.