8 Oleochemistry Products
203
the mentioned fields, the products derived from oleochemistry have proven to be
powerful alternatives to conventional mineral oil products.
However, the use of edible vegetable oil for industrial oleochemical production
adds to the debate over whether land should be farmed for fuel or food. This problem
will continue to grow in the near future since the percentage of global vegetable oil
production used for biodiesel is projected to increase from 12% in 2012 to 14% in
2023 [152].
Plant and vegetable oils produced to meet the demands for food, feed and industrial applications are largely derived from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and several
major temperate oilseed crops, including soybean (Glycine max), rapeseed (Brassica
napus), sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea); the existing
vegetable oil production platforms have been developed from these sources. But
recently the steady increase in population created a remarkable shortage in the plant
oil needed for these purposes [81]. The usage of plant oil as an alternative source of
bio-based biodiesel and oleochemicals has contributed to widening the gap between
production and needs [17].
Oleochemistry studies showed that the use of vegetable fats and oils allows the
development of competitive, powerful products, which are both consumer friendly
and environment friendly. Recently developed products, which fit this requirement
profile, are the anionic surfactants cocomonoglyceride sulfate and the non-ionic sugar
surfactant alkyl polyglycoside. These products are used especially as mild surfactants
in cosmetic formulations. In polymer applications derivatives of oils and fats, such
as epoxides, polyols and dimerizations products based on unsaturated fatty acids
[88], are used as plastic additives or components for composites or polymers like
polyamides and polyurethanes. In the lubricant sector, fatty-acid-based esters have
proven to be powerful alternatives to conventional mineral oil products [85].
World energy demand is expected to increase due to the expanding urbanization,
better living standards and increasing population. At a time when society is becoming
increasingly aware of the declining reserves of fossil fuels besides the environmental
concerns, it has become apparent that biodiesel is destined to make a substantial
contribution to the future energy demands of the domestic and industrial economies.
There are different potential feedstock for biodiesel production. Non-edible vegetable oils which are known as the second-generation feedstock can be considered
as promising substitutions for traditional edible food crops for the production of
biodiesel [17].
Biofuels have the potential to alter the transport and agricultural sectors of decarbonizing societies [90]. Yet, the sustainability of these fuels has been questioned in
recent years in connection with food versus fuel trade-offs, carbon accounting and
land use. Recognizing the complicated playing field for current decision-makers, we
examine the technical attributes, policy and global investment activity for biofuels
[15]. Two potential solutions include the production of lipids in photoautotrophic
algae or conversion of plant biomass using engineered microbes. Building upon the
early work of the Aquatic Species Program at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, significant progress has been made using systems biology, synthetic biology
and metabolic engineering to increase the production of algal lipids [174].
203
the mentioned fields, the products derived from oleochemistry have proven to be
powerful alternatives to conventional mineral oil products.
However, the use of edible vegetable oil for industrial oleochemical production
adds to the debate over whether land should be farmed for fuel or food. This problem
will continue to grow in the near future since the percentage of global vegetable oil
production used for biodiesel is projected to increase from 12% in 2012 to 14% in
2023 [152].
Plant and vegetable oils produced to meet the demands for food, feed and industrial applications are largely derived from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and several
major temperate oilseed crops, including soybean (Glycine max), rapeseed (Brassica
napus), sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea); the existing
vegetable oil production platforms have been developed from these sources. But
recently the steady increase in population created a remarkable shortage in the plant
oil needed for these purposes [81]. The usage of plant oil as an alternative source of
bio-based biodiesel and oleochemicals has contributed to widening the gap between
production and needs [17].
Oleochemistry studies showed that the use of vegetable fats and oils allows the
development of competitive, powerful products, which are both consumer friendly
and environment friendly. Recently developed products, which fit this requirement
profile, are the anionic surfactants cocomonoglyceride sulfate and the non-ionic sugar
surfactant alkyl polyglycoside. These products are used especially as mild surfactants
in cosmetic formulations. In polymer applications derivatives of oils and fats, such
as epoxides, polyols and dimerizations products based on unsaturated fatty acids
[88], are used as plastic additives or components for composites or polymers like
polyamides and polyurethanes. In the lubricant sector, fatty-acid-based esters have
proven to be powerful alternatives to conventional mineral oil products [85].
World energy demand is expected to increase due to the expanding urbanization,
better living standards and increasing population. At a time when society is becoming
increasingly aware of the declining reserves of fossil fuels besides the environmental
concerns, it has become apparent that biodiesel is destined to make a substantial
contribution to the future energy demands of the domestic and industrial economies.
There are different potential feedstock for biodiesel production. Non-edible vegetable oils which are known as the second-generation feedstock can be considered
as promising substitutions for traditional edible food crops for the production of
biodiesel [17].
Biofuels have the potential to alter the transport and agricultural sectors of decarbonizing societies [90]. Yet, the sustainability of these fuels has been questioned in
recent years in connection with food versus fuel trade-offs, carbon accounting and
land use. Recognizing the complicated playing field for current decision-makers, we
examine the technical attributes, policy and global investment activity for biofuels
[15]. Two potential solutions include the production of lipids in photoautotrophic
algae or conversion of plant biomass using engineered microbes. Building upon the
early work of the Aquatic Species Program at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, significant progress has been made using systems biology, synthetic biology
and metabolic engineering to increase the production of algal lipids [174].