Stepan Company, a global producer of specialty and intermediate chemicals, announced a 25 percent increase in its annual production capacity for Alpha Olefin Sulfonates (AOS), reinforcing its commitment to meeting rising customer demand.

The production boost is the result of targeted capital investments and process improvements across several of Stepan’s manufacturing sites. These enhancements were carried out at its facilities in Millsdale, Illinois; Anaheim, California; and Winder, Georgia — home to the most extensive network of AOS-producing sites in North America.

“This expansion not only increases our manufacturing capacity, but it also enhances our ability to support our customers with consistent, high-quality AOS products,” said Brandon Suttle, asset manager for sulfonation at Stepan. “We’ve made strategic improvements that deliver greater flexibility, operational efficiency, and reliability across our network.”

Alpha Olefin Sulfonates are widely used surfactants valued for their effectiveness and environmental profile. Common applications include personal care items such as shampoos, body washes and facial cleansers, as well as household cleaners like dishwashing liquids and daily shower sprays. AOS is particularly favored for its robust foaming, fat-dissolving performance and mildness on the skin.

As consumers increasingly demand sulfate-free and eco-friendly formulations, AOS has become a popular alternative among formulators. The surfactant’s ability to generate dense, stable foam makes it ideal for products that aim to deliver a luxurious cleansing experience. In addition to personal and home care applications, AOS also serves as a key ingredient in industrial sectors including oilfield services, agriculture, construction, and emulsion polymerization.

“Our continued focus on operational excellence allows us to prioritize investments like these that help us stay ahead of evolving market needs,” said Adriano Galimberti, vice president of surfactants for North America at Stepan. “We’re committed to supporting our customers’ growth by delivering dependable, high-performance solutions.”

Looking forward, Stepan plans to pursue further advancements in its AOS production capabilities. The company is exploring opportunities to develop specialty AOS variants and further improve product quality, as well as evaluating additional capacity enhancements to meet growing market demands.

With this latest capacity expansion, Stepan reaffirms its leadership in the North American surfactants market and its long-standing dedication to innovation, sustainability and customer satisfaction.

Stepan Company is a prominent producer of specialty and intermediate chemicals, serving a wide array of industries. The company is recognized as a top merchant supplier of surfactants—essential components in both consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfecting products, as well as in agricultural and oilfield applications. Additionally, Stepan is a key provider of polyurethane polyols, which are critical to the growing thermal insulation sector and the broader CASE market, which includes coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers.