The business community invited to participate in the oleochemical industry
colloquium in Thetford Mines

THETFORD MINES, QC, May 26 /CNW Telbec/ - The Société de développement économique de la région de Thetford (CLD) invites the business community to participate in an important colloquium in Thetford Mines on June 9th and 10. This activity aims to bring together key players involved or wishing to become involved in the production, processing and manufacturing of products derived from the oleaginous plant biomass. Speakers from Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, the United States and France will be presenting and sharing information on the subject.

The event will bring together participants and give them the opportunity to discuss the latest developments which will allow for the reflection on the strategy for the development of the industry in Quebec. This reflection will take into account the production capacity and the expertise of our research groups in order to meet the needs of manufacturers who are looking for renewable alternatives.

While everyone recognizes that the future of the petrochemical industry is uncertain and that the use of products derived from this industry must now be oriented towards alternative routes of supply, plant biomass oilseed such as flax, canola and soybeans is certainly one of the most interesting avenues to explore.

The niche of the oleochemical industry operates today within the broad trend of sustainable development and opens very interesting perspectives. In fact, industrial applications consume the most important volume of oleochemical products which is more than 50 % of the global oleochemical production.

    
    The various oleochemical industry sectors are:

    Mechanical fluids: greases, hydraulic fluids and coolants
    Coatings and adhesives: paints, lacquers, glues, paving
    Materials: plastic, rubber, linoleum
    Surfactants: detergents and soaps
    Impregnating agents: waxes, inks, softening agents, woodworking
    Fuels: Biodiesel, oil, wax candle
    Intermediate chemical solvents, chemicals, additives
    

How to navigate within the different crops ? Who are the experts in the production or processing of oil ? What technologies are available and feasible? And what are the needs of the industry that will guide both the types of crops and the technologies used for processing?

Registration is required before June 7th 2010 at www.cqvb.qc.ca.

For further information: Cyril Devauchelle, Business development director, OLEOTEK, [phone]; Source: Martin Fecteau, communications advisor, SDE région de Thetford, [phone], ext. 231, [email protected]