Oil blends: applications in industry and biofuel production

Blends of unrefined cooking oils, such as sunflower, canola, soybean and flaxseed oil, are a combination of different types of vegetable oils that have not gone through the refining process. This ensures that they retain their natural nutrients, including essential fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals. The natural properties of these oils make them highly valued in both the food industry and other industrial sectors, where their environmental and health benefits are gaining increasing recognition.

In recent years, blends of unrefined cooking oils have been widely used in industry, especially in the production of biofuels. Thanks to their versatility and excellent performance, they are an important part of the drive for sustainability, reducing CO₂ emissions and promoting green solutions in the energy and chemical sectors. Their growing popularity is proof that natural products can play a key role in industrial and energy transformation around the world.

MBF Group SA offers attractive opportunities to import, sell and supply high-quality oil blends from eastern markets, particularly Kazakhstan. The oils available in our offer are characterized by excellent parameters that meet the requirements of both the industrial and food sectors, providing an ideal solution for customers looking for reliable raw materials.

Cooperation with our proven partners in the East allows us to provide products at competitive prices while maintaining high quality standards. We invite you to cooperate and contact MBF Group SA. We will answer all your questions, customize the offer to meet your individual needs and support you in the implementation of your orders.

The use of blends of unrefined cooking oils

These oil blends can be used for a variety of culinary and health purposes:

Frying and baking: These oils can be used for frying food, although their smoke points should be kept in mind. Canola oil is often preferred because of its high smoke point.
Salad Dressing: Unrefined oils are ideal for preparing salad dressings to preserve their nutritional value.
Dietary supplementation: Some oils, such as flaxseed, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and can be used as dietary supplements to support cardiovascular health.
Preparation of cold dishes: these mixes are ideal for dishes served cold, such as salads or mayonnaise sauces, where their flavor and nutritional properties are fully exploited

Health benefits

Unrefined blends of vegetable oils are a source of unsaturated fatty acids and other valuable nutrients that can support heart health, help regulate cholesterol levels and mitigate inflammatory processes in the body. However, it is crucial to pay attention to the composition of such blends to avoid oils high in saturated fatty acids, such as palm or coconut oil, which can negatively affect health. Regular consumption of good-quality oils can provide numerous health benefits, provided that they are chosen consciously and with attention to their composition.

The most popular blends of unrefined cooking oils are blends that often contain vegetable oils, such as:

Canola oil: It is often the base of mixes due to its high content of unsaturated fatty acids. It is valued for its beneficial effects on cardiovascular health.
Sunflower oil: Also popular in blends, rich in vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids.
Soybean oil: Used in mixes for its health properties and versatility.
Flaxseed oil: Known for its high content of omega-3 fatty acids, it is often added to mixes for increased nutritional value.

These mixes are often used as cheaper alternatives to butter, especially in the context of rising butter prices. They contain different combinations of oils, which allows for beneficial health properties and taste.

Unrefined cooking oils in the industry

Blends of unrefined cooking oils can be used in industry, including biofuel production. The use of these oils in the energy and chemical industries is gaining importance, especially in the context of the drive for sustainability and CO₂ reduction.

Application of oil blends in industry

Biofuel production: unrefined vegetable oils, such as rapeseed or sunflower oil, can be processed into biodiesel. Biodiesel, derived from vegetable oils, is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuels and can be used in diesel engines.
Powering industrial processes: Oil blends can be used to power heating furnaces and other industrial equipment to increase the energy efficiency of manufacturing plants.
Closed-loop economy: In the food industry, organic waste can be converted into biogas and then used to generate electricity and heat. This approach supports the idea of using resources in a more sustainable way.
Transportation Use: Vegetable oil blends can also be used as biofuels in transportation, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The use of biodiesel in trucks is one example of the application of these blends.

Benefits of oil blends

CO₂ reduction: the use of biofuels based on vegetable oil blends, such as canola, sunflower or soybean oil, contributes significantly to reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions compared to fossil fuels. In the process of burning biofuels, only the amount of CO₂ that the oil plants have absorbed during their growth is released, making their carbon balance much more favorable to the environment. In addition, biofuel production can support local economies by reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports and reducing emissions associated with their transportation. Introducing biofuels into the energy and transportation sectors allows companies not only to reduce their carbon footprint, but also to meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations, which is crucial in the fight against climate change and improving air quality on a global level.
Cost efficiency: Using local sources of biofuels based on vegetable oil blends can significantly improve the cost efficiency of businesses. Producing biofuels from available feedstocks, such as rapeseed, sunflower and soybean oils, reduces the expense of importing expensive fossil fuels and reduces the logistical costs of transporting them long distances. In addition, the production of biofuels from vegetable oils often generates by-products, such as glycerin or cake, which are used in other industries, such as cosmetics, food and feed, making the whole process more profitable. Financial benefits are also apparent in the long term through independence from oil price fluctuations and related market risks. By investing in local biofuels, companies can not only reduce operating costs, but also gain greater economic stability and improve their competitiveness in the market.
Supporting sustainability: Implementing biofuels based on vegetable oil blends supports sustainability, allowing companies to build a greener image and comply with tightening environmental regulations. In an era of increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce fossil fuel consumption, companies that choose to use biofuels can demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and social responsibility. Such actions often translate into greater trust among consumers, business partners and investors, which strengthens a company’s market position and reputation. In addition, the sustainability supported by biofuels is not limited to reducing emissions – it also includes promoting local economies, creating jobs in the renewable energy sector and using renewable raw materials. All of this makes companies that invest in biofuels leaders in the changes that are necessary for the energy transition and building a climate-neutral economy.

Blends of unrefined cooking oils have the potential to be widely used in various industrial sectors, contributing to energy transition and sustainability. The production of biofuels from oil blends such as rapeseed, sunflower and soybean oil is a process that can contribute to sustainable development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Here are the key steps and aspects of the process:

Stages of biofuel production from oil blends

Collection and processing of raw materials

The process of producing biofuels from oil blends begins with the acquisition and processing of vegetable feedstocks, such as rapeseed, sunflower and soybeans. The cultivation of these crops plays a key role in ensuring sufficient oil-rich seeds. Once ripe, the crop is harvested mechanically, such as with harvesters, and then subjected to thorough cleaning to remove impurities such as dust, plant debris and small stones. At this stage, specialized equipment is used to ensure the purity and quality of the raw material, which is essential for further processing.

The cleaned seeds go to the extrusion process, which is carried out in screw presses. Mechanical pressing allows the extraction of crude oil and leaves cakes – a dry by-product that has a wide range of uses, including as animal feed or biomass feedstock. Crude oil is the primary ingredient in the oil blends used to produce biodiesel, while oilcakes bring additional economic value. The entire extrusion process is done without chemicals, making it environmentally friendly.

The finished crude oil is then stored in sealed tanks that protect it from oxidation and deterioration. In this form, it can be transported to plants that process oils into biodiesel. Well-maintained storage and transportation conditions are key to preserving the parameters of the raw material, which affects the yield and quality of the final biofuel. With proper preparation of raw materials, further production steps, such as transesterification and purification, can proceed smoothly and efficiently.

Transesterification

Transesterification is a key step in the production of biodiesel from oil blends, in which vegetable oils are converted into fatty acid methyl esters, or biodiesel, and glycerin as a byproduct. The process begins by mixing crude oil with alcohol, usually methanol, in the presence of a catalyst such as sodium or potassium hydroxide. The catalyst speeds up the chemical reaction during which the triglycerides in vegetable oils are broken down into esters and glycerin. The reaction requires the right conditions, such as proper temperature, pressure and precise proportions of oil, alcohol and catalyst, to run efficiently and allow for maximum biodiesel yield.

Recovery and purification

Biodiesel recovery and purification is the step where the mixture obtained after transesterification is prepared for final use as a high-quality motor fuel. The first step involves separating the two main phases: the lighter biodiesel and the heavier glycerin, which is usually done using gravity methods or centrifuges to speed up the separation. The biodiesel is then thoroughly purified to remove residual alcohol, catalyst and other impurities that could affect its quality and performance. The purification process often includes water washing, during which water helps precipitate soluble impurities, and drying, which removes moisture from the biofuel. After drying, the biodiesel is filtered to ensure the elimination of fine particulates, resulting in a clean and stable final product. Biofuel purified in this way meets stringent quality standards, such as EN 14214, so it can be used both in its pure form and in blends with conventional diesel, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability.

Sedimentation

The sedimentation process plays an important role in biodiesel production by enabling the efficient separation of glycerin, which is the heavier phase, from the lighter biodiesel. Once the transesterification is complete, the product mixture goes into tanks, where, thanks to the difference in density, the glycerin naturally sinks to the bottom. Sedimentation is a simple and efficient process that does not require sophisticated equipment, just enough time for the layers to separate clearly. The glycerin that sinks to the bottom can then be easily pumped out or drained, and the biodiesel remains in the top of the tank, ready for further purification. This process not only makes it possible to manage byproducts efficiently, but also to minimize biodiesel losses, which increases the economic viability of the entire production. In simple and smaller plants, sedimentation can be used as the main separation method, while in larger and more advanced plants it is one of the supporting steps for other technologies, such as centrifuges or separators.

Testing and use

Biodiesel testing and utilization is the final stage of production, where the final product is subjected to rigorous physicochemical testing to ensure that it meets all quality standards required for motor fuels, such as the European EN 14214 standard. Among other things, the laboratories test properties such as density, viscosity, water content, residual sulfur content and cetane number, which determine the ability of biodiesel to burn efficiently in diesel engines. After positive test results, the biofuel is stored in appropriate tanks, from where it can be transported to end users. Biodiesel can be used both in its pure form, as B100, and in blends with conventional diesel in various proportions, such as. B20 or B7, depending on engine specifications and usage requirements. Thanks to its green credentials, biodiesel contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality, while also being an important element in the pursuit of sustainable development and energy transition. The ultimate use of biodiesel covers a wide range of applications, from road transportation to energy and agriculture, underscoring its versatility and relevance to today’s economy.

The use of biofuels in industry brings a number of important benefits that affect operational efficiency, sustainability and environmental protection. Here are the most important ones:

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions: Biofuels emit significantly less carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other pollutants compared to fossil fuels. They make it possible to achieve CO₂ reduction targets, which is key to many companies’ zero-carbon strategies.
Increasing energy efficiency: Biofuels can be used in cogeneration processes, allowing simultaneous generation of electricity and heat. This increases the overall energy efficiency of industrial plants.
Use of organic waste: Many biofuels, such as biogas, can be produced from organic waste generated by the food industry and agriculture. Converting this waste into energy supports a closed-loop economy and reduces landfill waste.
Stability of fuel prices: The switch to biofuels reduces dependence on oil, which can help stabilize fuel prices. In the long run, this can also reduce companies’ operating costs.
Supporting the local economy: Biofuel production creates new jobs and supports local agriculture through the use of plant and animal feedstocks. This in turn contributes to the development of local communities.
Compliance with environmental regulations: Companies using biofuels can better comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations, improving their image and competitiveness in the market.
Energy Future: Biofuels are a safe alternative to fossil fuels, and their development can contribute to the energy transition and decarbonization of industry, which is essential in the context of global climate challenges.

In conclusion, the use of biofuels in industry not only contributes to environmental protection, but also brings economic and social benefits, making it an attractive option for many sectors of the economy. For the production of biofuels from oil blends to be sustainable and efficient, steps must be taken to address the above challenges through technological innovation, better resource management and infrastructure development.