Introduction

Oleochemistry deals with the physico-chemical transformation of fats and oils from animals and vegetables. First used in the fabrication of soaps, oleochemistry is now part of our daily lives where it is found in a wide variety of sectors: food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and industrial.

The raw materials of the oleochemical sector are:

• Vegetable oils such as rapeseed oil as well as those derived from soybean, sunflower, safflower, corn, peanut, palm, coco, castor, etc.
• Fats and oils from animals like rendered fats, tallow, lard, fish oil, etc.
• Recycled fats and oils like grease from restaurants, used frying oils, trap greases, etc.

For many of the well-known applications until the beginning of the 20th century, oleochemistry had been subjected to the powerful competition of the petrochemical sector. However, for some uses, the physico-chemical properties of oleochemicals still offer some unsurpassed advantages and performances. Nowadays, the uses of oleochemicals are in constant growth considering the strong environmental tendencies and legislations that are being brought to the forefront. A product of non fossil, renewable and biodegradable raw materials, oleochemicals, often called "Bioproducts", are already fully developed and in use all over the world.