Abstract

Beginning with this issue of H&PC Today, we are launching a new editorial section called “Panel Discussion” which is none other than a multiple voices interview where experts from major industry players and Institutions are called to express their opinion on some topics/issues proposed by our editorial team. 

Here below we want to offer our readers the point of view of a few keyplayers, in the Surfactants field, who have been invited to reflect on the developments (if any) that are changing this market towards potentially a more sustainable and hi-tech future.

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE SURFACTANT MARKET?

Soeren Zimdahl 
Head of Strategic Portfolio Management Home Care and I&I Solutions
BASF

Is a step-change in surfactants a dream and likely to remain so or are substantial developments in sight?

A step-change in surfactants is not in sight at the moment. Fundamental raw materials are still either based on petrochemicals like ethylene and propylene or on oleochemicals like palm kernel oil and coconut oil. Nonionic and anionic surfactants are still the main product class, with significantly smaller volumes of cationic and amphoteric surfactants.

Will the oil & gas industry be the new Eldorado for surfactants? (with crude at over 100 USD/bbl many people thought this would be the case, but now?)

Surfactants are key elements in tertiary oil production, also known as enhanced oilfield recovery (E ... ...