An apparatus for continuous sulfonization of discrete articles comprising a feeder box for drying the discrete articles with ultra-dry air, a sulfonization chamber for treating the discrete articles with sulfur trioxide gas, a conveyor assembly for transporting the discrete articles from the feeder box to the sulfonization chamber, and a neutralizing tank for treating the discrete articles with neutralizing fluid. The sulfonization chamber includes a rotating dial plate with a circular periphery and an upper surface extending radially from and rotatable about a center axis (A) for receiving the discrete articles at the circular periphery. A plurality of arcuate guides extend perpendicularly from a guide arm toward the rotating dial plate and are spaced radially outward from one another along a radial (R) extending radially from the center axis (A) for moving the discrete articles radially inward in a spiral path during rotation of the rotating dial plate.