Natural detergent alcohols

Johnson Matthey offers catalysts and a licensed process for the manufacture of natural detergent alcohols (NDAs).

Licensing

Johnson Matthey's DAVY^TM NDA process converts fatty acids to non-acidic intermediate methyl esters and hydrogenates these to alcohols. These plants have virtually no effluents; small by-product streams are recycled and consumed within the process so they have minimal environmental impact. Further information on the DAVY natural detergent alcohol process is available here.

Catalysts

The catalysts offered by Johnson Matthey for natural detergent alcohols include copper-based catalysts for hydrogenolysis of esters to fatty alcohols, as well as nickel-based catalysts for polishing of fatty alcohols. For further information on these catalysts, please contact our representatives.