BIODIESEL/BIOFUELS

bleaching earths in the short term, but the growth will flatten and possibly begin to diminish as cleaner feedstocks enter the market. These feedstocks will require less bleaching earth during processing.

However, this is not necessarily a negative. The entire refining industry is focused on improving process efficiencies. For example, Bello says that 15 years ago, the bleaching earth dosage in soyabean oil was about 0.7% by weight, while the percentage stands at 0.25% today due to equipment and process improvements, better process control, and advanced manufacturing practices. This offers bleaching earth producers a chance to respond to the market by offering products that require smaller dosages and lower the total cost of ownership. This may also help the leading players mitigate the influx of lower-quality clays.

Yet, both experts believe that the bleaching earth market will remain relatively safe, with growing edible oil consumption maintaining the demand for bleaching earth products.

In the end, the final key factor for the market is simply the vital role that bleaching earths play.

“There is still no [other] product that could cost-effectively replace bleaching earths,” concludes Howes. ●

Ile Kauppila is OFI’s former assistant editor