Sulfur: Long-term outlook for a critical element for surfactant production

Abstract

Sulfur is a key element in most anionic surfactants. About 75% of sulfur currently is generated as a waste byproduct of petroleum refining, while most of the remainder is generated as a waste byproduct of natural gas refining. Assuming the world's fossil fuel use decreases in the future, what will happen with sulfur-containing surfactants? Three possible alternatives are explored. First, alternate sources of sulfur could replace sulfur from fossil fuel. Second, surfactants that do not contain sulfur could replace those that contain sulfur. Third, other industries could replace sulfur in their products, while sulfur remains in surfactants. Each of these will be considered, and predictions will be made in terms of the likeliest outcomes.