The Fatty Acids Catalysis project, led by Queen’s University Belfast in partnership with Oleon, Caterwaste, and MOF Technologies, explored innovative ways to convert waste vegetable oils and fatty acids into high-value biofuels and chemicals. The project aimed to develop cleaner, more efficient methods for producing renewable fuels and fatty alcohols—materials used in everyday products like cosmetics, lubricants, and plastics.
Researchers developed a new catalytic process that operated at lower temperatures and pressures than traditional methods, making it more energy-efficient and potentially more cost-effective. This process achieved high conversion rates and selectivity, meaning it could reliably produce the desired products with minimal waste.
The team also experimented with a novel, solvent-free method for creating the catalyst using mechanical grinding, which showed promising results and could be scaled up for industrial use.
By the end of the project, the technology had progressed from lab-scale experiments to continuous flow systems, paving the way for future pilot-scale development. Industrial partners benefited directly by identifying ways to add value to their waste materials and reduce manufacturing costs—potentially saving up to 40% on commodity chemical production.
CASE funding enabled the formation of this collaborative team and supported the development of a technology with strong commercial potential. The project contributed to Northern Ireland’s renewable energy goals and demonstrates how waste biomass can be transformed into sustainable, market-ready products.