Biosurfactants will play a significant role in the petroleum industry amid growing demand for sustainable technologies, according to a co-authored research piece featured in Frontiers. Petroleum-based synthetic surfactants are already used to boost the availability or recovery of hydrocarbons, along with other uses relating to extraction, treatment and transport. The researchers found that biosurfactant use is expected to increase by more than 50 percent over the next five years, as companies seek new ways to improve their performance on oil rigs.
Biosurfactants will play a significant role in the petroleum industry amid growing demand for sustainable technologies, according to a co-authored research piece featured in Frontiers. Petroleum-based synthetic surfactants are already used to boost the availability or recovery of hydrocarbons, along with other uses relating to extraction, treatment and transport. However, it is suggested that due to their versatility, biosurfactants could have many innovative applications across the oil processing chain and in the formulation of petrochemical products such as emulsifying agents and fuel formulation.