of detergent enzymes in the 1970s toreduce heavy phosphates use in whatwas the first major effort to lessen theenvironmental impact of laundry.

It is encouraging to see a newemphasis on low-temperature laundrywith its energy-saving benefits, but forthe full environmental picture it’simportant to consider water use aswell as that of energy and chemicals.Over the coming years, global watersupply will become an increasingproblem. Reducing waterconsumption by domestic laundry notonly conserves water resources butcan also reduce detergent use and,within limits, improve detergentperformance. In the US, recentfigures from the Energy Dept showthat water use per load is virtuallyunchanged from 20 years ago atabout 150 litres (40-45 gal). In mid-1980s Europe, typical washwaterloads were around 120 litres buttoday’s energy-efficient front-loadingmachines achieve 50-60 litres –‘every little helps’. Reducing energyuse for domestic laundry is good, butto truly minimize its environmentalimpact what we now need is fordetergent manufacturers to work withwashing machine producers, and withlegislators, to encourage reducedwater consumption.

Caroline Edser

RAWMATERIALS

Alpha-olefins

First application of a new process forproducing linear alpha-olefins

Linear alpha-olefins (LAOs) havemany applications as intermediates inthe chemical industry, particularly asa base stock for plastics anddetergents. Linde, in cooperation withSabic of Saudi Arabia, has developeda new technology for selectivecatalytic synthesis of LAOs fromethylene. The alpha-SABLINtechnology can be used to produce awide range (short to long chains) ofhighly pure LAOs with high selectivityand under moderate operatingconditions. The product distribution

can be changed easily by varying thereaction conditions and adjusting thehomogeneous catalyst system. Thetechnology has been testedsuccessfully over several years in apilot plant at the Sabic Research andTechnology Center in Riyadh, SaudiArabia. The first commercial plant isbeing built by Linde for Jubail UnitedPetrochemical Co in Al-Jubail, SaudiArabia. Commercial production willbegin in 2006.

Linde Technology, Dec 2004, 38-45 (Linde AG,Abraham-Lincoln-Strasse 21, 65189 Wiesbaden,Germany. Tel: +49 0611 770 0. Fax: +49 0611 770269. Website: http://www.linde.com)

Profile of linear alpha-olefins in the US

Four plants produce linear alpha-olefins in the US. Total US capacity is5220 M lbs/y. Demand was 3130 Mlbs in 2003, 3200 M lbs in 2004, andis forecast at 3465 M lbs for 2008.Demand growth was 1.5%/y between1999 and 2004, and is forecast at2%/y through 2008. Main uses are inthe manufacture of polyethylene co-monomer 42%, detergent alcohols17% and polyalpha-olefins 12%.

Chemical Market Reporter, 21 Feb 2005 (Website:http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)

Oleochemicals

Ultrapar to invest US$94 M in newOxiteno fatty alcohols plant

As reported in the March issue,Brazil’s Ultrapar is planning toconstruct a plant for fatty alcoholsproduction, with co-production of fattyacids (C8 to C18) and glycerine, inthe petrochemical complex ofCamaçari, in the state of Bahia. Thecompany, through its chemicals armOxiteno, will invest approximatelyUS$94 M in the construction duringthe next two years. Fatty alcoholproduction capacity will beapproximately 80,000 tonnes/y, withlauryl alcohol the major product. Themain raw materials to be used are ofnatural origin, such as palm kerneland coconut vegetable oils, whichcan be sourced within the state. Theplant will be a pioneer unit in LatinAmerica for the production of fattyalcohols. These materials arecurrently imported, with 2004 SouthAmerican imports amounting to about50,000 tonnes. Brazil is responsible

for around 90% of this consumptionand Oxiteno is the country’s largestconsumer of fatty alcohols. Oxitenoestimates it will use some 30% of thealcohol output to make its surfactantsproduct lines for personal care,household cleaning, agrochemicals,textile and other applications. Besidesadding value to this existing productline, the new plant is expected togenerate additional net sales ofUS$80 M/y when running at fullcapacity.

Press release from: Oxiteno, Sao Paulo, Brazil.Website: http://www.oxiteno.com.br (16 Feb 2005) &BNAmericas Oil & Gas News, 17 Feb 2005, (BusinessNews Americas Ltda, website:http://www.Bnamericas.com)

Kulim aims for even balance inoperations

Kulim (M) Bhd is in the process ofbalancing its upstream anddownstream operations and hasallotted two years to achieve thispurpose. At present, 65% of Kulim’soperations are upstream operationsagainst 35% downstream. Once theoperations are even, the company’sincome will be stabilized. With boththe operations strengthened, itbelieves it can become one of theleading plantation companies in theregion. Kulim plans to expand itsdownstream activities, especially themanufacture of oleochemicals andrelated by-products. It has investedaround Ringgit 150 M for expansionof oleochemical operations, whichincludes a third plant that would beready in 2005. Kulim subsidiaryNatoleo Chemical Sdn Bhd in PasirGudang currently produces fattyacids, glycerine and esters for food,beverage, beauty and healthcareproducts. Kulim plans to continue toexpand its plantation areas in othercountries with lower labour cost andcheaper land prices. The companyalready has palm oil estates inIndonesia and Papua New Guinea,and will shortly set up one in theSolomon Islands.

The Star, 9 Feb 2005 (Website:http://www.thestar.com.my)

Malaysian palm oil output

For the year 2004 to 2005, Malaysianpalm oil production is forecast (by theUS Department of Agriculture) togrow to 14.5 M tonnes (+1.1 M

2 APRIL 2005

F O C U S O N S U R F A C T A N T S