Applications

A closer look

Few products have a wider range of applications than oleochemicals. Indeed, this diversity of markets is an important factor in the stability of the industry.

Here are a few ways in which oleochemicals are used:

Soaps and detergents: Industrial and domestic Health and personal care: Culture media, tabletting aids, shampoos, soaps, creams, lotions, make-up Food: Emulsifiers and specialities for bread, cakes and pastries, margarine, ice cream and confectionery Animal feed: Nutritional supplements, emulsifiers for calf milk replacers Electronics: Wire insulation, insulating varnishes, special-purpose plastic components Industrial lubricants: General and speciality lubricants, base oils for non-toxic biodegradable lubricants Leather: Softening, dressing, polishing and treating agents Metalworking and foundries: Cutting oils, coolants, buffing and polishing compounds Mining: Froth flotation of ores, surface-active agents for oil-well drilling muds Paints and coatings: Alkyd and other resins, drying oils, protective coatings Paper re-cycling: Removal of printing ink Plastics: Stabilisers, plasticisers, mould release agents, lubricants, anti-statics, antifogging aids, polymerisation emulsifiers Printing: Printing inks, paper coatings, photographic printing Rubber production: Vulcanising agents, softeners, mould release agents Waxes: Ingredients in waxes and polishes