4th World Surfactants Congress

This series of four books brings together all the lectures and posters presented at the 4th World Surfactants Congress, which took place in Barcelona from 3-7 June 1996. As such, it represents a distillation of the work of the most prestigious specialists in surfactants technology. In line with the theme of the congress, "Approaching the 21st Century", these specialists examine the current state-of-the-art technology, the market for surfactants, and the raw materials available. The books include a balance between academic contributions which present the most recent developments in the analysis, synthesis and properties of surfactants, and industrial contributions which draw out the practical applications. The books' contributors also join forces to forecast the future development of the industry. One of the major concerns of the congress was the effect of surfactants on the environment, and space is given in the books for discussion of environmental risk assessment and life cycle analysis of chemicals. This series of books offers the latest available information on the state of the surfactants world today, and it will be essential reading for all those in academia and industry who need to keep abreast of technological, economic and environmental considerations.