Call for Partners | Managing 3-MCPD formation during Oil Refinement through PCA Source Detection
Polychlorinated alkanes (PCAs), main component of chlorinated paraffins (CPs), are high production volume lubricants and flame retardants used on a million ton scale world-wide. They were found in high levels in several vegetable oil and fat samples from the European market. However, not much is known about contamination sources and the fate of PCAs during vegetable oil production and refinement. WFSR is looking for partners who want to explore the presence and fate of PCAs in their production chain and work on implementing or optimising detection methods to safeguard their products.
Partner up for impact
We are looking for
- 1 April 2026 - 1 April 2029
- Food industry
- LVVN subsidies 50% & partners co-finance 50%
- Partners that want to explore the presence of PCAs in their production chain
- Develop detection methods of PCAs
About the project
At first glance, high PCA levels in crude oils seem controllable thanks to 70-80% reduction of ΣPCAs-C10-17 during the refinement process. However, a recent study has shown a significant link between PCAs in crude oils and increased levels of 3-monochloropropanediols (3-MCPDs) in the refined product. PCAs were also found in some fatty acid distillates used as animal feed. To increase the safety of refined oils and valorised side streams of their production, sources of PCAs in crude oil production are mapped and their fate during refining is investigated.
This project aims to engage the topic of PCAs in three ways:
- Prevention: What are the (possible) PCA sources in different crude oil production workflows? How can they be reduced or removed?
- Understanding: What happens to PCAs during the refinement process? Which side streams should be checked more closely?
- Mitigation: Can the link between PCAs and 3-MCPD be proven? Is it possible to model acceptable PCA levels that won’t lead to non-compliant 3-MCPD levels in the final product?
More about the project
The outcome of this project will help edible oil companies in optimising their production process to produce oils with high quality and food safety level. It also helps companies to be prepared for upcoming monitoring recommendations on food contaminants.
The intended outcomes of the project include:
- Identified PCA contamination sources of crude oils
- Mapping the presence and fate of PCA in oil refinement through lab-scale refinement experiments
- Model for acceptable PCA levels in crude oils (avoiding non-compliant 3-MCPD levels)
Interested parties are welcome to join us in this Public Private Partnership (PPP). LVVN will subsidize 50%, and participation in this PPP requires co-financing of 50% of the budget (cash and in-kind).
In-kind contributions can be e.g., providing information on processing steps and use of side stream fractions (through interviews and meetings), supply of crude oil samples, (extracted) oil seed/fruit, samples of other critical materials as identified during the project, or access to a lab-scale model plant for the described experiments etc.
Let's connect
For more information about the project or to collaborate, please contact our expert.
Dr.rer.nat. KS (Kerstin) Krätschmer
WR Onderzoeker
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