Oleochemicals

Desmet leverages its expertise in the oleochemical field by designing and supplying advanced processing plants for fatty acids, glycerine, fatty alcohols, and fatty acid methyl ester production. Focused on delivering tailored solutions, Desmet maximizes efficiency, precision, and flexibility. Its advanced technology ensures optimal performance, helping clients achieve high-quality oleochemical products for various industrial applications.

Oleochemicals

How does it work?

Oils and fats consist of triglycerides, which can be split by reaction with water to form fatty acids and glycerin. Downstream processes involve purifying these two main products. These processes use distillation technologies to separate various chain lengths and crystallization to separate unsaturated from saturated fatty acids. Fatty acids can also react with methanol to form methyl esters, which can then be transformed into fatty alcohols through hydrogenation.

Full process

We supply proven, highly reliable, and efficient processes tailored to the product portfolio and quality requirements of our end customers. A wide array of processing unit combinations to transform oils and fats into oleochemicals is possible.

Fatty acid and Glycerine production process units

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Fatty Alcohol production process units (under Johnson Matthey License)

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Advantages

Discover the sustainable and versatile benefits of our oleochemicals solutions.

Reliability

High-reliable technologies and components for minimal downtime and low maintenance.

Sustainability

Plants designed for minimal utility, water, chemical, and catalyst consumption.

Flexibility

Maximum feedstock and product flexibility to adapt to changing market demands.

Customization

Tailored plant configurations for customer needs, with R&D support for special projects.

Efficiency

Process designs for low utility and chemical use, with reduced effluents through water recycling.

Raw materials

Our oleochemical processes utilize high-quality raw materials such as coconut oil, palm kernel oil and palm oil. These versatile oils are essential for producing a wide range of oleochemical products, ensuring optimal performance and sustainability. Considerable experience is also demonstrated in processing other raw materials, such as palm stearine, animal fats, soybean & sunflower oils and their acid oils, PAO, FAD, and other less common derivatives from oils and fats

Other oils

Coconut

Coconut oil

Palm Kernal Oil

Palm kernel oil

Palm Oil

Palm oil

Key proprietary equipment

Desmet’s advanced oleochemical processing equipment includes key components for efficient oil splitting, evaporation and distillation, delivering high-quality fatty acids and alcohols while optimizing operational costs and maximizing yields.

Splitting column

Splitting column

Desmet’s unique splitter design reduces operating costs, enhances product quality, maximizes yields, and ensures low fouling with efficient internals.

Evaporators

Evaporators

Extensive energy recovery is achieved using multiple-effect evaporators that combine reboilers with flash chambers, improving control, reactivity, and minimizing plant footprint.

Distillation

Distillation column

Tailored distillation systems provide optimal recovery, heat efficiency, low residence times, and expert support for adapting existing processes.

Our services

With a focus on cutting-edge technology, high-quality components, and comprehensive on-site support, our service teams ensure optimized plant performance and minimized operational disruptions.

Plant automation

Enhance efficiency and control with our plant automation solutions, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance for your operations.

Replacement parts

Ensure reliability and longevity with our high-quality replacement parts, designed to maintain and enhance your plant's productivity.

Site services

Maximize uptime and operational efficiency with our on-site services, gaining expert support and maintenance tailored to your needs.

R&D and Innovation

Enhance processes and technologies to address and anticipate market challenges and trends, for more quality output and performance.

Talk to our experts

Looking to invest in a better future? As an experienced and innovation-driven plant designer, we can deliver the technologies for you to create quality food, feed and biofuel. Our teams of experts are happy to help you with any question.

Contact us