Development of an environmentally benign process for the production of fatty acid methyl esters

The production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) is an important intermedi ate step in oleochemistry, The oleochemical production route starts with th e renewable raw materials fat and oil and ends at fatty alcohols and differ ent special products. Fatly acid methyl esters can be formed at mild reacti on temperatures by transesterification of natural triglycerides (fats and o ils). This contribution will show the development of a continuous process w hich is considering the main principles of production integrated environmen tal protection, The main advantages of this process are low energy consumpt ion and minimal waste production. The process alternatives are shown and a scope on future problems which have to be solved to reach a real additional improvement of the fatty acid methyl eaters production is given. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.