German company SMOTEC Plus, which opened its new 60,000 ton per year sodium methylate manufacturing facility in Dammam last December, is targeting biodiesel producers and other customers in the US, Canada and Brazil for the marketing of product. SMOTEC Plus stands for sodium methoxide technology plus other related chemical products. Prior to the opening of the Dammam plant, the company was marketing its then-existing sodium methylate production volume to customers in Europe, India, Argentina and Brazil. “Our sodium methylate manufacturing process uses raw materials such as caustic soda and methanol, unlike other manufacturers whose processes are based on mercury cell-based chlorine and sodium metal,” said Prasad Devineni, SMOTEC Plus director. “In addition to sodium methylate solution, our new plant produces sodium methylate powder, which is used in the transesterification of oils for the food industry. To comply with food industry standards, all production processes and operations adhere to strict quality requirements mandated by the food industry certifications.” By utilizing caustic soda and methanol rather than mercury-cell based chlorine and sodium metal, Devineni said SMOTEC Plus' sodium methylate is much more desirable for the food industry and biodiesel producers seeking to sell their refined glycerin into the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets. “The food industry and glycerin markets do not like catalyst that comes into contact with mercury,” Devineni said. “The sodium metal process is used in the production of sodium methylate in the US because of our caustic-based process, we can locate our future sodium methylate production facilities close to the consuming markets so that we have shipping cost advantages.” Biodiesel refers to diesel-equivalent biofuel usually made from vegetable oils, animal fats etc. Biodiesel is biodegradable, non-toxic and has significantly fewer emissions than petroleum-based diesel (petro-diesel) when burnt. Biodiesel can be used in current diesel engines.
