Researchers from Israel performed an experiment to synthesize bolaamphiphiles from
castor oil to be used as potential drug delivery systems. Two classes of symmetric and asymmetric bolaamphiphiles with acetyl choline head groups were synthesized and characterized.
Results showed that these compounds self-assembled in aqueous media to form stable cationic nano-sized vesicles which can used as potential drug delivery systems.
Researchers from China performed an experiment to prepare a novel zwitterionic surfactant from castor oil. The novel zwitterionic surfactant was prepared u
sing a high yield route and its performance for oil recovery was analyzed.
Experimental results showed that the biobased surfactant exhibited strong electrolyte tolerance, temperature resistance, and thermo stability, better wetting and foaming performance, which implies that biobased surfactants could be of great potential to replace traditional petroleum based surfactants.
Scientists from Turkey conducted a study to investigate a new type of bifunctional 
monomer obtained from castor oil. Castor oil was first reacted with acryloyl chloride to obtain acrylated castor oil. Epoxidized acrylated castor oil obtained after epoxidation reaction was characterized using various techniques.
After characterization, homo and block copolymers were synthesized and evaluated. It was observed that epoxidized acrylated castor oil copolymer showed higher storage modulus and higher thermal stability.
Researchers from India conducted an optimization study to improve low-temperature properties of chemically modified high free fatty acid castor oil methyl esters. Castor 
oil fatty acid methyl ester was prepared and epoxidation process was carried out using hydrogen peroxide as oxygen donor and IR-120 as heterogenous acid catalyst.
Response surface methodology was implemented to optimize the epoxidation process. The results showed that epoxide blended with COFAME showed an improved pour point compared with pure epoxide.
Scientists from India conducted an experiment to prepare functionalized castor oil derivatives with tunable physical properties by using heterogeneous acid and base catalysts. Epoxidized castor oil (ECO) was used as a raw material to prepare the different functionalized castor oil derivatives namely ring-opened glyceryl ricinoleates, epoxy alkyl ricinoleates, and ring-opened alkyl ricinoleates, using two chemical reactions, ring opening and transesterification.
Among several acid catalysts screened, Amberlyst 15 showed maximum conversion for ring opening of ECO with methanol. By using CaAl-layered double hydroxide (LDH) derived oxides as base catalyst, maximum yield of epoxy alkyl ricinoleates were obtained through transesterification of ECO. The physical properties of these derivatives can be used to design tailor-make material for industrial needs.
A first-of-its-kind Sebacic acid production plant is planned to be built in Duq
m Special Economic Zone with an investment of $62.7 million and the chairman of the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD) and the representatives of Sebacic Acid Oman Company have signed an agreement.
The plant will be spread over 400,000 square meters of land and will be the first-of-its-kind in the Middle East.
Arkema has launched a new biosourced polyamide 6.10 range called Rilan S, partially processed from castor oil. The polyamide has been manufactured at Arkema’s Zhangjiagang facility in China
Rilan S is an alternative to long-chain polyamides and PA6/PA6.6; it closes the gap between long-chain polyamides and PA6/PA6.6. The various Rilan S grades already available find applications in the field of transport, sports and electronics.
Owing to the rapid growth of biodiesel, lubricants and cosmetics industries, the growth of castor oil and derivatives market is expected to reach $1.81 billion by 2020. A strong shift of volatile crude oil prices towards the substitution of conventional fuels by biofuels has also a positive influence on the growth of castor oil market.
Castor wax industry is expected to reach the highest growth rate of CAGR of 5.8% from 2014 to 2020. Also, the growth of personal care industry, particularly in Asia Pacific and Latin America is expected to increase over the next 6 years.
Royal DSM, a Dutch life sciences and material sciences firm, has used the castor oil for its aluminium windows manufacturing.
Royal DSM says its new EcoPaxx polyamide 410, which has a bio-based content of 70%, can help reduce the environmental footprint of aluminium window profiles. The material, used in insulating profiles, is made from a material derived from the castor plant
According to DSM, EcoPaxx polyamide 410 also offers mechanical advantages over other engineering plastics, including a high melting point of 250°C, good hydrolysis and chemical resistance, and lower moisture absorption than PA66.
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Etocas and Croduret (trade names) are vegetable-derived nonionic surfactants which find widespread use in agrochemicals as general emulsifiers and solubilisers. They are of particular value as biodegradable, sustainable alternatives to nonyl phenol ethoxylates. Etocas and Croduret , both marketed by Croda, are ethoxylated castor oil and ethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil respectively.
The emulsion characteristics judged were
1. Ease of dispersion of the surfactant/solvent mixture in water at 25ºC
2. The particle size of the resulting emulsion
Lower molar ethoxylates of castor oil are used as dispersing agents for oil based systems. They are generally considered to present no special hazards. However, as with other nonionic surface active agents of this type, they may be irritating to the eyes as supplied.
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