The Philippines is the world's leading coconut oil producer. Production of oleochemicals in the Philippines started in 1967 when a company, Cocochemical Plant, Inc. started producing methyl esters, fatty alcohols and butyl cocophtalate using a technology provided for by Kao Corporation of Japan. Since then, a number of oleochemical plants have been established. It is interesting to note, moreover, that the Philippines has a legislation requiring the use of up to 60% of detergent raw materials as surfactants derived from coconut fatty alcohols.

However, with the growing concern for environmental and consumer protection, further development of downstream processing of basic oleochemicals have been encouraged especially on various raw materials used in large scale applications, as in the case of detergents and related cleaning products.


Future Directions

With the limited market outlets within the region for basic oleochemical products, especially in the absence of a significant off-take into higher value-added downstream applications, it can be said that the region is more or less dependent on exports to the major traditional markets like Europe, USA and East Asia.

It is therefore in the interest of Asean oleochemical producers to find ways and means to encourage greater consumption of basic oleochemical products within the region. Aside from increased consumption of basic raw materials within the region, the anticipated flow of secondary products from and within the region will certainly enhance both the total Asean trade and intra-Asean trade.