Oleochemistry and sustainability
A central aspect of sustainability is the distinction between fossil and renewable carbon. Fossil carbon is typically extracted as oil, natural gas and coal. Renewable carbon encompasses biomass, CO2 and recycling, which does not bring additional carbon into the geosphere.1
Oleochemical products are based on natural oils and fats. The raw materials are therefore considered biomass. The most important ones include various plant oils, such as palm or rapeseed oil, as well as animal fats like tallow. The use of these renewable carbon-based raw materials contributes to closing the carbon cycle and reducing net CO2 emissions, as biogenic carbon uptake takes place during plant growth.
Renewable carbon, especially products from biomass, are repeatedly criticized - on the one hand regarding the cultivation itself, on the other hand due to the debate on food security.
It is important to ensure that biomass comes from sustainable sources. Animal fats are a by-product from slaughter, so this residue is not disposed but meaningfully processed as a raw material. For plant oils, a lot of palm oil is used, as it has a very high yield and therefore requires less agricultural land overall. In addition, the purchase of certified goods should ensure sustainable cultivation and the protection of human rights. The same criteria also play an important role when using regional plant oils.
A scientific paper from the Renewable Carbon Initiative addresses the criticism regarding food security and concludes that the use of food and feed crops can even have a positive effect on food security under the right circumstances.2
Oleochemical products thus offer a sustainable alternative to fossil-based products due to their raw material base. For the quantitative assessment of sustainability, the preparation of a life cycle assessment (LCA) is becoming increasingly important. It is essential that the same evaluation criteria are applied for renewable and fossil raw materials. Currently, for biomass, significantly more comprehensive rules apply. For example, the carbon footprint of biomass must take into account various emissions, such as the fuel consumption of tractors and other vehicles/equipment, which are not considered for fossil materials. A study of the Renewable Carbon Initiative shows that there is currently no level playing field for the assessment of renewable vs. fossil materials in Life Cycle Assessments.
In summary, the use of renewable, bio-based raw materials, the efficient utilization of residues and the promotion of closed-loop cycles make oleochemistry an ideal example for a sustainable, future-oriented industry.
1Renewable Carbon Initiative 2024, About Renewable Carbon
2Dammer, L., Carus, M., Porc, O. 2023: The Use of Food and Feed Crops for Bio-based Materials and the Related Effects on Food Security. Renewable Carbon Initiative (ed.), Hürth 2023; (Dammer et al. 2023)
