From July 29 to 31, Changsha Puji Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (stock code: 874015) hosted the 2026 Fourth International Industry Exchange Conference on New Products and Technologies in Amino Acid-Based Surfactants in Changsha, Hunan. Representatives from institutions including Mintel, BASF, and Hunan University, along with companies spanning the upstream and downstream segments of the industry chain, gathered for three days of discussions on emerging products, cutting-edge technologies, and application trends in this green surfactant sector. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Changsha Puji has organized this series of conferences—starting with the inaugural industry forum in 2018 and evolving into an international event that now brings together the global supply chain. Over eight years of dedicated effort, both the scale and influence of the conference have grown steadily with each iteration.

The industry’s development landscape is undergoing a profound transformation.

Amino acid‑based surfactants, which use natural amino acids as their hydrophilic head groups, are mild, low‑irritation, and biodegradable—key pillars of the “gentle cleansing” trend in personal care. According to QYResearch, the global market was valued at US$390 million in 2025 and is projected to grow to US$529 million by 2032. China’s market is expanding even more rapidly: the share of amino acid‑based facial cleansers within the broader cleansing category has surged from 28.5% in 2020 to 43.7% in 2025. China has already become a major global producer and consumer of amino acid‑based products. As “mildness and non‑irritation” evolve from premium differentiators to mainstream standards, the industry landscape is undergoing a profound transformation.

This meeting sent out three signals.

Signal One: The focus of competition is shifting from “can it be made?” to “can it be used well?” In her opening address, Li Jinwei, Chairwoman of Changsha Puji, stated that this year’s conference centers on “new products and new technologies,” with the core objective of advancing the industry from asking “can we make it?” to asking “can we use it effectively, affordably, and in ways that deliver distinct value?” In her view, amino‑acid‑based surfactants “connect, on one hand, to the national priorities of carbon neutrality and green chemistry, and on the other, to consumers’ genuine needs for mildness, non‑irritation, and environmental degradability—making them not only a technological breakthrough but also a matter of ethical responsibility.” This statement carries weight because it accurately captures the current turning point in the industry: synthetic routes are no longer the key barrier; whoever can truly deliver superior performance, achieve scalable cost reductions, and create meaningful differentiation will hold the ticket to the next growth cycle.

This assessment is corroborated by the agenda design. The seven thematic presentations spanned the entire value chain, from global market trends and quality control to formulation development and efficacy applications: Mintel’s Korean Director offered consumer‑centric insights into global buzzwords such as “green” and “bio‑based”; Dr. Zhu of BASF outlined a multifunctional integration approach leveraging chelating amino acid surfactants; and Professors Yang and Qiu from Hunan University contributed academic perspectives on the synthesis of functional derivatives and rheological modulation through self‑thickening. Notably, application‑oriented content accounted for nearly half of the total—covering shampoo formulation blending, self‑thickening systems, and precision scalp care—each session directly addressing formulators’ real‑world pain points. Li, Director at Shanghai Hongyun Bio, shared strategies for surfactant blending, while Engineer Luo from Changsha Pujie elucidated the oil‑control mechanism of capryloyl glycine, both pointing to a clear trend: raw‑material suppliers are no longer simply selling ingredients but delivering end‑to‑end solutions.

Signal Two: Quality control is emerging as an invisible competitive barrier. Yu, Chief Engineer at Changsha Puji, delivered a report on full‑life‑cycle product quality management that may appear low‑key but hits the industry’s core issue. In today’s amino acid surfactant market, where product quality varies widely, the level of control over residual solvents, trace impurities, and microbial limits directly determines the stability of downstream formulations and the safety of end‑use products. Whoever can build a strong reputation for consistent quality will carve out a sustainable moat beyond the confines of price wars.

Signal Three: China’s amino acid‑based surfactants are stepping onto the international stage, with their cutting‑edge nature and innovative spirit increasingly evident. BASF researchers took to the podium to share groundbreaking advances, while engineers from Changsha Puji also presented their in‑house R&D solutions—marking a shift from a scenario in which domestic firms merely caught up with overseas counterparts to one where leading players at home and abroad engage in equal‑footed technical exchanges and openly share R&D成果. After sixteen years of dedicated development, Changsha Puji has secured 16 authorized invention patents and mastered more than 200 mature formulation technologies, establishing a comprehensive, end‑to‑end technological closed loop that spans from raw‑material synthesis to application development. The publication of Professor Yang’s work at Hunan University on the synthesis of functional derivatives, as well as Engineer Luo’s research at Changsha Puji on caprylic‑glycine‑based scalp oil control, underscores that Chinese amino acid‑based surfactant companies now possess the innovative capabilities to compete on par with their international peers in several frontier areas.

Uphold technology, foster collaboration, and strengthen intellectual property rights.

In his address, Li Jinwei, Chairman of Changsha Puji, outlined three key principles for the industry’s future development: uphold the foundation of technology, foster a spirit of collaboration, and strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights. These three pillars are not mere platitudes; they strike at the very heart of the sector’s current challenges.

Upholding the Foundation of Technology—“Technology is the cornerstone of an enterprise and the core driving force behind industry-wide advancement.” Changsha Puji continues to invest deeply in the development of new bio-based amino acid surfactants, applied research, and process optimization, striving to achieve more breakthroughs that translate laboratory innovations into industrial applications in key core technology areas.

Uniting the Spirit of Collaboration—“With long industrial chains and broad application scenarios, no single company can independently establish a full‑chain ecosystem.” This exchange event has received joint support from BASF, numerous high‑quality partners across the value chain, as well as universities and research institutes, serving as a microcosm of multi‑party collaboration in building a comprehensive industrial ecosystem. By partnering with upstream suppliers to address raw material costs and working hand in hand with downstream customers to develop tailored solutions, only through openness and mutual benefit can we achieve sustainable, long‑term progress.

Building a Strong Foundation for Intellectual Property Rights—“By leveraging patents to establish robust technological barriers and standards to foster collaborative linkages, a dual‑pronged approach will enable specialized management to become a key competitive advantage for enterprises.” With 16 invention patents and active participation in the development of industry standards, Changsha Puji is integrating its intellectual property strategy into its overarching corporate vision.

Step into the smart manufacturing base, where intelligent production builds trust.

During the conference, guests toured Changsha Puji’s state-of-the-art intelligent manufacturing base. Founded in 2010 and initially located in the Liuyang Economic and Technological Development Zone, the company has grown over the past sixteen years into a “Little Giant” enterprise recognized for its specialization, refinement, distinctiveness, and innovation in Hunan Province. It operates two major production facilities with an annual capacity of 150,000 tons, holds 16 authorized invention patents, and has developed more than 200 mature, application‑ready formulation technologies. For raw-material suppliers, a visible, fully operational production line serves as the most compelling testament to their capabilities. In an industry where quality‑control standards vary widely, the company opens its smart manufacturing site to visitors, showcasing its end-to-end quality‑management system—a strategic move that reflects both technological confidence and a commitment to building trust through transparency.

One conference, three key signals, and three core propositions—all pointing in the same direction: the second half of the amino acid surfactant era has begun. In the first half, the industry focused on whether it could “make it work”; in the second half, the real competition will be about “performing well, being cost‑effective, and delivering differentiated value.” Changsha Puji, a company that has spent sixteen years cultivating bio‑based amino acid derivatives, is steadily advancing on the global stage—grounded in technological innovation, anchored by open collaboration, and fortified by intellectual property. The answers lie not in the conference hall, but in every formulation and every production line to come.