What are Bio based Chemicals?
Bio based Chemicals are organic chemicals derived from plant and animal fats and oils. They are produced using processes like hydrolysis, alcoholysis, hydrogenation, and others. Bio based Chemicals sources include palm oil, coconut oil, soybean oil, tallow, and fish oils. The fatty acids, glycerol and fatty acid derivatives produced from these biomass sources have a wide range of industrial uses.

Fatty Acids
Fatty acids constitute a major Bio based Oleochemical product category. They include both saturated (palmitic, stearic) and unsaturated (oleic, linoleic) fatty acids. Unsaturated fatty acids offer more versatility in terms of product development. Fatty acids find applications as:

- Surfactants and detergents: Fatty acids are important feedstocks for producing soaps, shampoos, dish washing liquids and other household and industrial cleaning products. Being biodegradable, fatty acid-based surfactants are more environmentally sustainable.

The Future Looks Bright
With depleting petrochemical resources and rising environmental consciousness, Oleochemical offer a sustainable alternative as green feedstocks. Their biodegradability is an added advantage. As integrated biorefineries become reality, new products will be obtained from renewable biomass sources. Tropical countries with abundance in palm and coconut oils have a great potential to emerge as global Bio based Chemicals hubs. Technological innovations in extraction, separation and product development will further expand the Bio based Chemicals industry footprint.

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