Process for the preparation of an alkoxylated alcohol composition comprising one or more alkoxylated alcohols wherein the process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting carbon monoxide with hydrogen under Fischer-Tropsch reaction conditions in the presence of a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst; (b) separating from the product of step (a) at least one hydrocarbon fraction comprising paraffins having from 9 to 17 carbon atoms and olefins having from 9 to 17 carbon atoms, the hydrocarbon fraction additionally comprising at least a portion of alcohols; (c) contacting one or more of the hydrocarbon fractions obtained in step (b) with an alkylene oxide; and (d) recovering an alkoxylated alcohol composition from the reaction product of step (c).