Oleochemistry and Proteochemistry: What’s the Difference?
Oleochemistry (literally, the chemistry of oils), also referred to as plant-based chemistry, encompasses the processes used to transform vegetable oils (rapeseed, sunflower, palm, soybean, and coconut oils) as well as animal fats. In oleochemistry, these raw materials are first broken down into their fundamental components. Following purification or transformation, these components are recombined with other molecules to create a wide range of products and ingredients.
Proteochemistry (literally, the chemistry of proteins) refers to the valorization of proteins obtained during oil production from oilseed processing. This process, known as crushing, involves grinding and pressing seeds to separate the liquid fraction (used to produce oil) from the solid fraction (known as meal, which is rich in protein). Proteochemistry focuses on creating value from these protein-rich meals, for example through the production of plant-based resins.
Oleochemistry and proteochemistry share a common objective: transforming agricultural resources into renewable and sustainable ingredients that provide high-performance alternatives to fossil-based products.