Aashi Mishra shares some highlights from a recent Research Nester study

Oleochemicals are chemicals that are obtained from fats and oils, both vegetable and animal. They find use across diverse industries and are gaining popularity owing to their eco-friendly and sustainable characteristics.

Oleochemicals have a range of qualities, including being biodegradable, low toxicity levels and being derived from renewable sources. Moreover, they can be customised to exhibit attributes like enhanced lubrication or increased solubility.

Apical Oleochemical (Taixing), an RGE China operation, has celebrated on the completion of the initial phase of its ‘oleochemical industry integration project’ at Taixing in Jiangsu province. Construction for the initial phase began in July 2021 and was completed in March 2023, with production starting in June.

Oleon has opened what it claims to be “Europe's most innovative plant for the production of sustainable oleochemicals” at Oelegem, Belgium. Built a cost of €17.4 million, including €13.3 million in European subsidies, this will operate using only enzymes of natural origin and has 3,000 tonnes/year of capacity. It is connected by canal to Antwerp’s port.

Oloechemicals specialist Oleon has acquired a blending plant in Conroe in the Houston area of Texas, its first in North America. The company said that this will be “the cornerstone for its industrial activity in the Americas with an expected initial investment of more than $50 million”. The company has other sites in Belgium, Germany, France and Malaysia.

Oleochemicals firm Oleon has begun construction of a $50 million production facility in Baytown, Texas. Due to be put into service end of 2023, this will produce esters and provide blending services to support the firm’s growing oil and gas business, while bringing it closer to customers in the North America, according to CEO Moussa Naciri.