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 intermediate step in oleochemistry. The oleochemical production route starts with the renewable raw materials fat and oil and ends at fatty alcohols and different special products. Fatty acid methyl esters can be formed at mild reaction temperatures by transesterification of natural triglycerides (fats and oils). This contribution will show the development of a continuous process which is considering the main principles of production integrated environmental protection. The main advantages of this process are low energy consumption 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 esters production is given.