Research to produce evidence of the value of a change in composition is necessary to establish a new standard or a variation of an existing oil. Eventually, the market may become interested in a specified range of the composition of an oil. An example of this is the demand for a particular range of composition for tea tree and peppermint oils. Where the demand for a particular type of oil is high, research on how best to achieve that type is useful. The ability to present the type of product demanded might be obtained through either production or processing techniques.
Markets always respond to products presented in an attractive manner.
While accepting that research should be market driven, a balance has to be maintained between what the market demands and what it can have. Some sections of the market demand a consistency that nature simply does not provide. Mixing or blending of oils is one way to obtain high and consistent quality, but this requires extensive experience and it must be complemented by extensive quality assurance procedures in the field to ensure that the best possible product is available for blending. The success of research in production and processing must be related to industry needs. These must be identified through appropriate industry structures which also play a vital role in technology transfer.