of sulfonation of 0 6 is prepared as follows 1 lignin recovered as a by product from a kraft pulping process is prepared in an aqueous slurry form containing 29 31 solids lignin 2 the ph of the slurry is adjusted to 10 8 to 11 2 with sodium hydroxide 3 the ph adjusted slurry is heated to 74 u00b0 c 76 u00b0 c and 2 7 pound moles formaldehyde per 1 000 pounds lignin solids in the slurry is added thereto 4 the temperature of the slurry is maintained for 8 hours to methylolate the lignin 5 water is added to adjust the methylolated lignin slurry to 20 solids and 0 1 pound mole ammonium hydroxide per 1 000 pounds lignin solids is added thereto 6 the methylolated lignin slurry is isolated with dilute sulfuric acid to a ph of 2 2 5 and filtered with a water wash 7 the methylolated lignin slurry is adjusted to 20 solids and 1 0 pound mole triethanolamine 1 5 pound moles ammonium hydroxide and 1 5 pound moles sulfur dioxide per 1 000 pound moles of lignin are added to the slurry the ph is adjusted to 7 0 7 2 with ammonium hydroxide and heated to a temperature of 95 u00b0 c 100 u00b0 c for 8 hours to carry out the sulfonation reaction 8 the sulfonated lignin amine salt is heated to evaporate water and spray dried in accordance with the procedures set forth in example i during which time excess ammonia is removed from the spray dried product the resultant product is characterized by a dry granule powder form without.