Analysis of technological schemes for the efficient production of added-value products from Colombian oleochemical feedstocks

Abstract

In the world, the evolution of biodiesel demand influences the global market of edible feedstocks, affecting their commercial prices and availability and consequently food security. Colombia as a tropical country has the potential of producing multiple oleochemical feedstocks including both edible and non-edible vegetable oils and animal fats. However, the oleochemical industry in the country is based on a small range of feedstocks. In this paper, five oleochemical feedstocks were selected according to comparative criteria of national availability, potential oleochemical derivatives, projected expansion, impact on food security and land requirements. This analysis allowed obtaining oil palm, maize, jatropha, castorbean, and microalgae as promissory feedstocks. Then, multiproduct biorefineries were developed and economically and environmentally assessed, according to their production features. Thus, it was stated that the proposed configurations were able to support the development of the oleochemical industry in Colombia providing sustainable alternatives, which supply a growing demand of biodiesel and other oleochemical derivatives.