Supercritical methanol applied to fatty acid methyl esters production

摘要

Sumitomo Chemical has developed a new process to produce fatty acid methyl without generating any environmentally undesired by-product by the reaction of methanol with vegetable oil in a supercritical state. Fatty acid methyl esters are widely used as intermediates for higher alcohols, which are raw material for surfactants, and as "bio-diesel" fuels for motor vehicles. Sumitomo Chemical is applying for patents in Japan, the U.S., and Europe, and is considering applying for patents in Brazil and Argentina.