About This Course

Surfactants are organic compounds that are mainly synthesized form petroleum (oil & gas) products or from bio-based sources such as oleochemicals. Surfactants have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic group and they allow oil molecules to mix with or ͚dissolve͛ in water. Their properties such as wettability, detergency, emulsion, dispersion, stabilization, and foam/froth have vast practical applications in variety of industries.

Surfactants are used to manufacture a diverse range of household and cleaning solutions, from laundry and dishwashing detergents to hard surface cleaners (HSC), personal care products such as bath soaps and shampoos, and a variety of Industrial & Institutional products such as laundry, HSC, agricultural adjuvants, textile/paper, elastomer and plastics, oil field chemicals, and others. The largest market segments are household detergents and personal care applications.

The course will provide an understanding of the main surfactant types and technical properties and will then address issues related to the Mexican supply chain with emphasis on supply/demand drivers and major market trends, market size, the participants in the various market segments, key customers and logistics aspects such as where and how are surfactants produced or imported (terminals/trains/trucks/etc.).