[Chemical Knowledge]：Properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods, physical and chemical properties of cetyl alcohol

1. cetyl alcohol properties

Hexadecanol, the chemical name is 1-hexadecanol, the molecular formula is C16H34O, is a kind of fatty alcohol. It is a white waxy solid at room temperature with a slight oily odor. Cetyl alcohol has a melting point of 49-51°C, a boiling point of 344°C and a density of about 0.818g/cm³. It is almost insoluble in water, but has good solubility in organic solvents such as ethanol, ether and chloroform. The chemical properties of hexadecanol are relatively stable, but reactions can occur under strong acid or strong alkali conditions, such as esterification reactions, etherification reactions, etc.

2. cetyl alcohol use

Cetyl alcohol is widely used in industry and daily life. In cosmetics and personal care products, it is used as an emulsifier, thickener and lubricant to help improve the texture and stability of products. In the pharmaceutical industry, cetyl alcohol is widely used in pharmaceutical preparations as a drug carrier and stabilizer. In the plastics industry, cetyl alcohol is used as a plasticizer to improve the flexibility and durability of plastics. In the textile industry, it is also used as a lubricant and softener to improve the feel and properties of fibers.

3. cetyl alcohol upstream and downstream raw materials

The production of cetyl alcohol is mainly achieved by the hydrocracking of natural oils and fats and the hydrogenation of olefins. Upstream raw materials include coconut oil, palm oil and other vegetable oils, which generate higher fatty alcohols, including hexadecanol, through hydrogenation. Upstream also includes petrochemicals such as ethylene, and cetyl alcohol can also be produced by the Ziegler process of ethylene (Ziegler process). Downstream products are mainly all kinds of cosmetics, pharmaceutical preparations, plastic products and textile auxiliaries, which require hexadecanol as an important additive or raw material.

4. Cetyl Alcohol Production Process

The production process of hexadecanol is mainly natural oil hydrocracking and Ziegler method. Hydrocracking of natural oils is to hydrotreat coconut oil, palm oil and other oils to decompose them into a mixture of higher fatty alcohols, and then obtain hexadecanol through separation and purification. The Ziegler's rule is through the reaction of ethylene and triethyl aluminum to generate long-chain alkyl aluminum compounds, and then through oxidation and hydrolysis to generate higher fatty alcohols. These two processes have their own advantages and disadvantages. The former has simple process and rich source of raw materials, but the product purity is low; the latter has complex process and high cost, but the product purity is high.

5. Cetyl Alcohol Market Demand

The market demand for cetyl alcohol is mainly driven by downstream markets such as cosmetics, personal care products, pharmaceuticals and plastics industries. With the increasing demand for high-quality personal care products and the continuous development of the pharmaceutical industry, the demand for hexadecanol has shown a steady growth trend. The trend of green environmental protection and sustainable development has also promoted the demand growth of natural source cetyl alcohol. In the global market, the Asia-Pacific region is the main market for cetyl alcohol consumption, followed by North America and Europe.

6. Cetyl Alcohol Storage Method

The storage of cetyl alcohol needs to be kept dry and sealed to prevent moisture and oxidation. Usually should be stored in a cool, ventilated warehouse, avoid direct sunlight and high temperature environment. Cetyl alcohol has a certain flammability, so it should be stored away from fire and heat sources, and equipped with appropriate fire fighting equipment. The storage container shall be made of corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel or iron drums coated with anti-corrosion coating to avoid contamination caused by corrosion of the container.

7. cetyl alcohol safety and environmental protection

Although hexadecanol itself has low toxicity, safety protection should be paid attention to during production and use to avoid direct contact with skin and eyes. Good ventilation should be maintained in the production workshop to avoid the inhalation of high concentration vapor. The waste disposal of cetyl alcohol should follow the relevant environmental regulations to avoid environmental pollution. With the improvement of environmental awareness, the use of green technology and renewable resources to produce cetyl alcohol has become the development trend of the industry.

8. cetyl alcohol market outlook

Looking ahead, the cetyl alcohol market is expected to continue to grow. On the one hand, the expanding market for personal care products and cosmetics will continue to drive the demand for cetyl alcohol. On the other hand, with the progress of renewable resource utilization technology, cetyl alcohol production from natural oil sources will become more environmentally friendly and economical. Coupled with the steady growth in demand from the pharmaceutical and plastics industries, the market for cetyl alcohol is promising. The market is also facing challenges such as raw material price fluctuations and tightening of environmental protection policies. It requires the joint efforts of the upstream and downstream of the industrial chain to improve the level of technology and market competitiveness.

Conclusion

As an important chemical raw material, cetyl alcohol has a wide range of uses and good market prospects. By optimizing the production process, strengthening safety and environmental protection measures and adapting to changes in market demand, the hexadecanol industry is expected to achieve greater development in the future.