Catalysts
Catalyst for fat and oil hydrogenation
Nickel-on-silica supported catalyst specifically developed for the oil and grease industry. For ease of handling, it is supplied in the form of grease droplets.This catalyst,
Fat hardening (hydrogenation) refers to the conversion of liquid vegetable oils into hydrogenated fats and is widely applied in the oleochemical and food industries. Most vegetable oils available in Europe—excluding coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and cocoa butter—remain liquid at room temperature and are therefore only partially suitable as spreadable fats or for use in baked goods.
Hydrogenation with our encapsulated nickel catalysts on silica allows precise adjustment of melting points and melting curves, enabling optimization of the physical properties of fats. The iodine value (IV) can be reduced to meet specific product requirements, producing fats with the desired firmness and stability.
Common feedstocks for hydrogenation include rapeseed oil, palm oil, sunflower oil, and soybean oil. Applications for hydrogenated fats extend beyond food to the lubricant industry, animal feed, and the candle and fragrance industry.
Our nickel catalysts are specially formulated for hydrogenation of triglycerides. Encapsulated in protective capsules, the nickel is released onto silica in the reactor under reaction conditions, providing both partial and complete hydrogenation. This approach ensures high selectivity, low trans-fat formation, and stable catalyst performance.
Hydrogenation is often accompanied by transesterification, in which the fatty acids within the glycerol backbone are rearranged. This allows fats and oils to be tailored to specific melting behaviors, functionality, and application requirements.
Nickel-on-silica supported catalyst specifically developed for the oil and grease industry. For ease of handling, it is supplied in the form of grease droplets.This catalyst,
