Introduction

About 80% of all oil palm product is used for food applications, while the other 20% is used in non-food applications. Because of the higher market value of these non-food derived palm products, the non-food category is expected to grow in importance. The non-food uses of palm oil and palm kernel oil can be classified into two categories; using the oils directly or by processing them to oleochemicals (chemicals derived from oils or fats).

 
Products produced using the oils directly include; Soaps, plastics, drilling mud and even palm based diesel substitute.

 
Products produced from the oleochemical route include; candles, lotions, body oils, shampoos, skin care products, rubber and cleaning products.

 
For instance, Liasari has successfully created a full range of skincare, body care, toiletries, cosmetics, candles and soap products that are made from palm oil and natural ingredients that do not contain petrochemicals and animal extracts which are completely biodegradable.

Biodiesel

The world is increasingly accepting the fact that conventional sources of fuel and energy are being rapidly depleted and cannot be renewed.

 
Unlike other renewable energy sources, biomass can be converted directly into liquid fuels or bio-fuels for use as an alternative fuel in cars, trucks, buses, aircraft and trains. Ethanol and bio-diesel are the two most common types of bio-fuel.

 
Ethanol is an alcohol, just like that found in beer and wine. It is made by fermenting any biomass high in carbohydrates (starches, sugars or celluloses) through a process similar to brewing beer. It is mainly used as a fuel additive to cut down carbon monoxide and other smog-causing emissions from vehicles. today, however, flexible-fuel vehicles which run on mixtures of gasoline and up to 85% ethanol are available.

 
Bio-diesel is made by combining alcohol (usually methanol) with vegetable oil, animal fat or recycled cooking greases. It can be used as an additive to reduce vehicle emissions (typically 20%) or in its pure form as a renewable alternative fuel for diesel engines.

 
Bio-diesel is the popular name for fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). It is fuel from plant oil, produced from the transesterification of vegetable oils, used to remove glycerol from the base oil. It can be used in pure form but is often blended with regular diesel. The most common form is a blend of 20% bio-diesel and 80% petroleum diesel, to reduce emissions (CO, CO2, aromatic hydrocarbons, SO2, particulates), reduce knocking and improve lubricity. It is bio-degradable and non-toxic, and used as transportation fleets, marine fleets and mines because of lower emissions. Bio-diesel is considered to be the lowest-cost strategy in complying with state and federal regulations, as it does not require major engine modifications.

Oleochemicals

Oleochemicals are chemicals derived from oils and fats. They are analogous to petrochemicals which are chemicals derived from petroleum.

 
Oleochemicals or derivatives based on C12-C14 and C16-C18 chain lengths have a variety of uses. Tallow and coconut oil have been the traditional raw materials used for the production of C16-C18 and C12-C14 chain lengths respectively. While tallow is produced by the developed countries such as the United States and the world has to rely on the Asia Pacific region for the supply of the laurics oils which are the C12-C14 source. The Philipines has been the main supplier of lauric oils.

 
The hydrolysis or alcoholysis of oils and fats formed the basis of the oleochemicals industry. The five basic oleochemicals are fatty acids, fatty Methyl esters, fatty alcohol, fatty nitrogen compounds and glycerin.
1.Fatty Acids
High temperature and high pressure splitting of Palm Oil or Palm kernel Oil to produce crude fatty acids and glycerin as a by product.
Distillation of the crude fatty acids to produce distilled or fractionated fatty acids which is a high purity fatty acids.
2.Fatty Methyl Ester
Transesterification of Palm oil or Palm Kernel Oil with Methanol to produce crude methyl ester and glycerin as a by product.
Distillation of the methyl ester to produce distilled or fractionated fatty methyl ester.
3.Fatty Alcohol
Hydrogenation of distilled or fractionated methyl ester at high temperature and pressure in the presence of catalyst to produce crude fatty alcohol.
Distillation to produce distilled fatty alcohol.
4.Fatty Nitrogen Compounds
The most common fatty nitrogen compounds are fatty amides, nitriles, amines and quartenary ammonium compounds
The most important of these compound is quartenary ammonium compounds colloquially known as ¡¥quats¡¦ which is used in softeners.
5.Glycerin
Glycerin is a valuable co-product of the oleochemicals industry.
It has many applications such as in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industry.

Oleochemical Applications

• Lotions
• Creams
• Foundations
• Compacts powders
• Eye make-up
• Lipsticks
• Hair dyes
• Hair Shampoos and conditioners
• Shower gels, shower cream, shower foam
• Toners
• Cleansers
• Moisturizer
• Toothpaste
• Mouthwashs
• Deoderants
• Baby care
• Perfumes and Fragrances