WASHINGTON, D.C., April 30, 2013 – Research that shows how glycerine and other byproducts from biodiesel production can be converted to catalysts for greener industrial processes is being honored with the 2013 Glycerine Innovation Award.

The yearly honor is sponsored by the American Cleaning Institute^® (ACI) and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and is presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS).

The 2013 Award recipient is Dr. B.L.A. Prabhavathi Devi from the Centre for Lipid Research at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India. The ACI/NBB Glycerine Innovation Award recognizes outstanding achievement for research into new applications for glycerine, with particular emphasis on commercial viability.

Dr. Prabhavathi said she and her group have been researching how glycerol can be utilized for the development of novel value added products.

The researchers developed glycerol-based catalysts, including waste from the fat-splitting industry, to replace chemicals more traditionally used in manufacturing processes, like sulfuric acid and alkali catalysts.

The use of such glycerine-based products can enhance the economies of the oleochemical and biodiesel industries.

"Our catalyst based reactions may lead to cleaner industrial processes and reduced pollution," said Dr. Prabhavathi.

The Glycerine Innovation Award includes a plaque and a $5,000 honorarium. It was presented at the AOCS Industrial Oil Products Division luncheon during the 2013 AOCS Annual Meeting in Montreal, Canada.