Worldwide, the Sasol Group has the largest capacity
for detergent alcohol production; the Cognis Group
is the second largest, followed by the Shell Group,
the Kao Group and The Procter & Gamble Company
(P&G), respectively. Shell produces only synthetic
alcohols. Cognis, P&G and Kao produce only natural
alcohols. The Sasol Group produces both types.
About 94% of the detergent alcohols consumed in North
America in 2006 were C12-C18 alcohols that were converted
to various derivatives. Over 5% were C12-C18alcohols
that were consumed as such and the balance (less than
1%) consisted of C20+ products. The following pie charts
show consumption of detergent alcohols by major region:
Growth rates for detergent alcohols in China, India
and much of the rest of Southeast Asia will be much greater
than in North America, Western Europe and Japan.
|
