An innovative refining process obtains high added value compounds from oil and fat refining waste flows

The IRODDI initiative (Innovative Refining process for valorization of vegetable Oil Deodorizer DIstillates) run by TECNALIA has developed an innovative refining process for the valorization of oil and fat refining waste flows. The process is based on green technologies that operate in milder extraction and purification conditions, making it possible to maintain the highest quality of the products obtained.

A number of substances that are responsible for unacceptable odours, colours and flavours are removed by vacuum distillation in the final stages of the oil and fat refining process. These make up the deodorisation distillates (DODs), a by-product from the refining of vegetable oils which contains certain high-value compounds: tocopherols, tocotrienols, phytosterols, hydrocarbons such as squalene, free fatty acids (FFAs), monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, etc.

The free fatty acids in DODs are used exclusively for energy purposes (biofuel) with moderate profitability.

The initiative, in which organisations with extensive experience throughout Europe are involved, also focuses on obtaining new bioproducts with improved properties from free fatty acids (FFAs).

Obtaining new bioproducts

• · Biocompatible, environmentally friendly surfactants with higher solubility in cold water (by chemically neutralising free fatty acids with ionic liquids).
• · Biodegradable base oils, which can be used directly in formulating biolubricants (through enzymatic esterification reactions of the distillates with glycols).
• · Synthesis of sustainable polyols from fatty acids for producing polyurethanes.
• · Recovery of tocopherol and squalene through innovative technologies that will not degrade the quality of these compounds.

IRODDI has demonstrated the feasibility of using these compounds, which are obtained by means of bio-based alternatives, instead of conventional ones, from fossil raw materials.

These products will be used in different industrial sectors: food-grade detergents (surfactants), biolubricants (oil-based), adhesives (biopolyols) and cosmetics (minority compounds such as squalene).

Further information

Press release on the launch of the project.

 

                         

IRODDI está financiado por la Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU)  bajo el programa de investigación e innovación H2020 de la Unión Europea bajo el acuerdo de subvención N° 887407.