Pilot-scale manufacturing demonstrates exceptional purity, low color, scalable processing and premium performance attributes for next-generation bio-based surfactants
Seattle, Washington, USA (June 4, 2026) – Sironix Renewables today announced the successful completion of pilot-scale manufacturing trials for its anionic surfactant ingredient, Furasoft™‑LFS (lauroyl furan sulfonate), using Ballestra’s air‑SO3 reactor technology. The campaign demonstrated that Ballestra’s reactor platform can produce exceptionally pure, low-color Furasoft™-LFS surfactants at commercially attractive operating conditions while maintaining the premium performance profile expected for high-end personal care applications.
“When we created the Furasoft™ personal care line, our goal was to help companies meet growing demand for high-performing products that are milder, safer and more sustainable,” said Christoph Krumm, CEO and co-founder of Sironix Renewables. “Achieving this level of purity and color in a scalable air‑SO3 sulfonation process validates that vision and marks a major milestone in the commercialization of Furasoft sulfonate surfactants.
“Our collaboration with the Ballestra team allowed us to leverage its technology platform to produce surfactant that met or exceeded our prior performance specifications while also demonstrating the potential for improved manufacturing economics.”
Alberto Travaglini, business unit director, Soap, Detergents & Surfactants, Ballestra, said: “We are pleased to have supported Sironix in this important milestone. The successful pilot campaign confirms the versatility of Ballestra’s SULPHONEXT falling film reactor technology in enabling the production of innovative, high-quality surfactants while maintaining excellent product performance and process efficiency.”
Using Ballestra’s advanced SULPHONEXT multitube falling film reactor, the demonstration confirmed that the pilot-scale sulfonation process can deliver sulfate-free, dioxane-free and amine-free fatty acid furan sulfonate surfactants exhibiting excellent foam generation, exceptional mildness as well as a strong tolerance to both hard water and cold water conditions.
In addition, the Ballestra platform achieved significantly improved product quality and yield relative to previously evaluated sulfonation approaches. Analytical testing demonstrated minimal degradation and negligible byproduct formation, while 1D and 2D NMR analysis confirmed structural integrity across the tested operating conditions.
Among the most significant outcomes from the pilot campaign:
- Exceptional sulfonate purity with negligible byproducts formed
- Product color meeting target specification for use in personal care
- Stable pH and active content observed over approximately six months of storage
- High foam generation and mild cleansing performance consistent with premium personal care surfactants
- Strong compatibility with hard water and cold water conditions
- Readily biodegradable and USDA Biopreferred certified 100% biobased
“Today’s announcement further reinforces our commitment to changing the way the world cares for itself,” Krumm said. “Furasoft™-LFS delivers high-performance cleansing with exceptional mildness and formulation flexibility, and our successful pilot-scale manufacturing demonstration with Ballestra further validates its commercial potential. This milestone strengthens our ability to offer companies the performance, flexibility and reliability they expect.”
Conducted in November 2025, the manufacturing demonstration evaluated multiple mild and scalable operating conditions at 40°C. The process also demonstrated the successful recovery of high-purity unconverted lauroyl furan feedstock for recycling.
Furasoft™‑LFS is part of Sironix’s broader portfolio of renewable surfactant technologies designed to provide high performance while enabling cleaner ingredient profiles for formulators. The ingredient is designed for use in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers and other personal care applications where foam quality, mildness and formulation flexibility are critical.
Following the successful pilot campaign, Sironix plans to continue optimization work focused on improving yield, refining post-processing procedures, and expanding customer sampling programs in the United States and international markets.
For more information about Furasoft™‑LFS and Sironix Renewables, visit www.sironixrenewables.com.
About Sironix
Seattle-based Sironix Renewables delivers high-performing, upcycled surfactants that meet the formulation demands of today’s eco-friendly cleaning and personal care products. It has developed and launched breakthrough surfactant ingredients that replace harsh petrochemical ingredients with solutions that are higher performing and more sustainable. More information is available at www.sironixrenewables.com.
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