Soap R&D driven by biodiesel challenge - execs

16 April 2008 01:18  [Source: ICIS news]

ORLANDO, Florida (ICIS news)--The global soap industry needs to develop more innovative processing technology in order to counteract challenges brought by biodiesel, industry executives said on Tuesday.

“The recent substantial rise of fats and oils, glycerine, and energy prices has serious adverse effects on the soap industry,” said Paolo Tavaglieri, vice president of marketing for the Italian engineering firm Mazzoni L.B. “Soap makers ask consequently for innovative solutions allowing them to quickly react to the market trends.”

Tavaglieri spoke at the at the SODEOPEC (Soaps, Detergents, Oleochemical and Personal Care) conference in Orlando.

Some of the research and development (R&D) emphasis can be directed at energy-conserving systems; flexible processing that can adapt to wider raw material range and capable of manufacturing various products; and plant versatility in terms of glycerine recovery and extraction, he added.

Italian soap technology firm Binacchi & Company presented a new soap systems solution at the conference to answer some of the biodiesel challenges.

Binacchi technical sales manager Fabio Nizzero said its new generation of energy-saving soap drying system can recover and reuse steam. The steam saving is 70%, he said.

“One of the most important features of our patented system is to guarantee clean steams at the plant outlet,” he added.

The three-day conference, which is hosted by the American Oil Chemists Society (AOCS), ends on Wednesday.

By: Doris de Guzman
+1 713 525 2653

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