The Malaysian Star newspaper recently published an extended interview with me on the subject of palm oii, oleochemicals and surfactants. The interview was largely originally conducted behind the scenes at the big MPOB palm oil conference in KL last November. Nonetheless the material is still topical and I think the writer did an excellent job in capturing the key points.
The article starts:
PALM oil and in particular palm kernel oil are essential feedstocks for the oleochemical industry which, in turn, provide critical raw materials such as fatty acids in fatty alcohols for the production of surfactants globally.
Neil A Burns LLC managing partner Neil Burns says these surfactants are used in consumer products such as laundry detergents, shampoos, soaps and many other household, industrial, institutional and personal cleaning products.
“In recent years, demand for these lauric oils has increased markedly and there has been substantial volatility in pricing, contributing in part to a re-arrangement and re-structuring of the oleochemicals and surfactants industries, which is still continuing,” he says......... full article here Malaysian Star – Interview with Neil Burns