Being assigned in KAO for our 300-hour OJT this summer also enabled me to learn new stuffs. Two weeks ago when our manager gave us an assignment to read about the oleochemical indutry. I decided to post what I've read here to share to to some of you who's interested. XD
Basically,
oleochemicals are chemicals derived from plant oils and animal fats. Some of
the most basic source of animal fats are tallow, lard, and poultry. Palm
kernel, coconut, palm, soya, sunflower, and rapeseed on the other hand are some
of the major sources of plant oils used in oleochemical industries.
The
oleochemical industry has various applications. It can be used in the
production of personal care products like shampoos, soaps, lotions, and make-up.
Products of the oleochemical industries ca serve as emulsifiers and humectants
for the food industry. Its products can also lead to the production of
biodiesel and additives for the fuel and lubricant industries, additives and
surfactants for the paint and coating industry, surfactant and adjuvant for the
agriculture industry, and plasticizer and additives for the plastic industry.
Other applications include wire insulation in electronics, tabletting aids in
healthcare, in leather production, in paper recycling, in printing inks, and
even in waxes and candles.
There
are a number of oleochemical industries worldwide having different sources of
their products depending on what is most accessible to the area or country. The
Philippine oleochemical industries for instance have palm kernel oil and
coconut oil as the major raw material used because the Philippines has an ample
amount of these oil owing to its being a tropical country. The European
oleochemical industry on the other hand is facing a threat at the present. The
European oleochemical industry mainly has animal fat as their source for their
production but after they stopped importing animal fat from USA they’ve been in
crisis. Adding to their problem is also the country’s renewable energy policy which
calls for the production of biodiesel. The production of biodiesel however
increases and even doubles the production of glycerine as the by-product of the
process. The increase of the production of glycerine causes its price to
decrease which obviously leads to the decrease of the income of the industries.
It
has been reported that the oleochemical industry in the Philippines is greatly
improving and even having potentials of greater development. Our country, the
Philippines has been blessed with the resources needed for the production of
oleochemicals; together with the skillful Filipinos the oleochemical industry
of the Philippines can still reach greater heights. As the industry further
develops may we be mindful of its effect to our resources. May we not just wait
for what is currently happening to the European oleochemical industry to happen
to us also.
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