When Project Clean President and CEO Normand Frechette first met Nivatha Balendra, Found and CEO of Dispersa, in 2019, neither could have predicted that a conversation sparked by a shared contact would eventually change the chemistry behind commercial cleaning products in Canada. Seven years later, the two are launching something that changes the chemistry, not just for their companies but for the industry.
We sat down with both to hear the story in their own words.
Let’s start at the beginning. Nivatha, what was the spark behind Dispersa?
Nivatha Balendra, Dispersa:
The spark came in the wake of the tragic Lac-Mégantic rail disaster in 2013. Witnessing the environmental devastation, I was driven by a single conviction: there had to be a better, safer way to clean up oil spills without causing further damage to the ecosystems we were trying to save.While researching natural alternatives, I learned about the incredible potential of microbes that can produce soapy ingredients – known as biosurfactants – a natural alternative to conventional surfactants, one of the most critical ingredients in consumer products. Instead of relying on pal, petroleum, or virgin-grade edible feedstock, I envisioned a future where biosurfactants could be produced using the abundance of food waste around us.
That shifted our focus toward a completely circular solution: using food waste as a feedstock to create sustainable, high-performing ingredients.
Normand, you’ve spoken about the moment you first met Nivatha. What stayed with you?
Normand Frechette, Project Clean:
I first met Nivatha through a shared contact at the National Research Council in Montreal, while we were actively searching for more sustainable and better-performing solutions for our industry. What really stayed with me wasn’t just the technology, it was her story, particularly her connection to Lac-Mégantic tragedy. That brought a very real and emotional perspective to the work she was doing.
From that point on, it was clear there was something more here than a typical supplier relationship. We started collaborating in different ways, and over time that evolved into a strong strategic alliance and just as importantly, a genuine friendship.
For someone who has never heard the word “biosurfactant” – Nivatha, how do you explain what PuraSurf™ M actually does?
Nivatha:
Think of surfactants as the unsung heroes of your everyday routines. They’re the active ingredients that break up grease, lift dirt, and create that rich foam we expect in everything from dish soaps and laundry detergents to industrial cleaners. Historically, almost every surfactants have been derived from petroleum or virgin palm oil, both of which carry a heavy environmental toll.
PuraSurf™ M is fundamentally different. It performs the exact same heavy-lifting cleaning duties, but it’s grown biologically using food waste as its nutrient source. Same cleaning power and foam. A fraction of the carbon footprint. Zero reliance on fossil fuels.
Normand, what made you choose Dispersa specifically? What problem were you trying to solve?
Normand:
We chose to work with Dispersa because they’re tackling a real problem in our industry, what I’d call technology laziness. For too long, we’ve relied on the same chemistry instead of pushing for solutions that are both high-performing and truly sustainable.
What stood out to me was that Dispersa isn’t just talking about change, they’ve built something that delivers. Their technology combines strong performance with a waste-derived, renewable origin, which is rare in our space. And this wasn’t about a short-term transaction for us, we were looking for a partner we could build with over the long term. Dispersa leaned in that way from the beginning.
Nivatha, what made Project Clean the right partner to bring PuraSurf™ M to market
Nivatha:
Project Clean stood out immediately because they genuinely put the well-being of the planet first. They aren’t just looking to manufacture cleaning products; they’re actively committed to driving global impact through the circular economy and pushing the boundaries of sustainable innovation. Bringing a disruptive ingredients like PuraSurf™ M to the commercial market requires a partner who shares that vision.
Project Clean does.
What did the actual development process look like?
Normand:
This was a very hands-on, collaborative process and not something that happened overnight. We’ve had dedicated scientists on both sides working for years to get this right. The real challenge was developing formulations that meet strict industry performance standards and our customers’ expectations, while also hitting the right cost structure, and delivering meaningful environmental impact. That’s not easy to do.
It required a lot of iteration, testing across different applications, and constant back-and-forth between our teams. What we ended up with is not just a product – it’s the result of true co-development.
Performance is always the first question from facility managers. How does PuraSurf™ M hold up?
Nivatha:
Sustainability cannot come at the expense of performance, and we’ve designed PuraSurf™ M with that in mind from the start. For an industrial cleaner, cutting through stubborn grease and heavy soils on hard surfaces is paramount. PuraSurf™ M is highly adaptable. It delivers powerful degreasing and emulsification that matches conventional chemical surfactants, while remaining non-toxic and gentle on both humans skin and the environment.
It’s not a compromise; it’s an upgrade.
What do you want facility managers and procurement teams to understand about this launch?
Nivatha:
Some buyers look at “green” products and assume they’re a compromise on performance. What we want them to understand is that this launch represents a fundamental shift in ingredient and formulation technology. By choosing products formulated with PuraSurf™ M, facility managers aren’t just buying a safer cleaning product, they’re actively participating in Scope 3 emissions reduction and the circular economy. They’re directly supporting the diversion of food waste from landfills and reducing dependency on palm and petroleum feedstocks, all while maintaining the strict cleanliness and performance standards their facilities require. It’s a zero compromise upgrade to how they manage their environmental footprint.
Normand:
For our long-time customers, the message is simple: this is the same performance you’ve always expected from us, built on a foundation we’re proud of. We didn’t launch this until we knew it was ready. The testing was rigorous, the chemistry is different, and the story behind it is real. You’re not being asked to compromise, you’re being given something better.
What does the future of the partnership look like?
Normand:
We see this as the beginning, not the end. This launch is really just phase one of a long-term relationship. From day one, the intent was to build something that we could grow over time not just introduce natural products and move on. There’s a lot of opportunity ahead to expand the use of this type of technology across more of our portfolio and continue improving both performance and sustainability.
What matters to me is that we keep pushing forward together; refining, scaling, and building solutions that make a real difference in our industry. That long-term partnership and shared commitment is what will drive the next phase of innovation for Project Clean.
Finally, if you each had to describe July 7, 2026 in one sentence to a long-time customer, what would you say?
Normand:
July 7 is about us taking a meaningful step forward, bringing our customers the same performance they’ve trusted us for years., but now built on a more sustainable foundation through a true innovation partnership. It’s the result of a lot of work behind the scenes, and it reflects where we believe the future of our industry needs to go.
Nivatha:
We are demonstrating that circularity can be a standard part of responsible supply chains and today, that’s no longer a future promise. It’s a product on the shelf.
The Project Clean Natural line is available now. Explore the full line up here.
