Unrefined technical oils: production and market forecasts

Unrefined oils also called technical oils are vegetable oils that are not suitable for consumption. Like unrefined cooking oils, they are extracted from oil seeds without the use of high heat and chemicals. However, unlike cooking oils, technical oils can contain impurities and substances harmful to health. They are mainly used in industry, where their purity is not as important as for oils for consumption. Despite their plant origin, their use in cooking is completely ruled out due to potential health risks.

MBF Group SA imports and sells unrefined oils, especially sunflower and rapeseed oils. The company has many years of experience in the industry, which allows it to provide top-quality services. Thanks to solid business relationships and cooperation with trusted suppliers, MBF Group SA provides the highest quality oils to meet the requirements of customers in various industrial sectors.

Applications of unrefined technical oils:

Unrefined technical oils are widely used in various industries, including:

  • Machinery industry: as lubricating and cooling oils.
  • Textile industry: for impregnation of fabrics and leathers.
  • Chemical industry: as a raw material for paints, varnishes and detergents.
  • Cosmetic industry: for making soaps, creams and other cosmetics.
  • Biofuel industry: to produce biodiesel.

Examples of types of unrefined technical oils:

  • Technical rapeseed oil
  • Technical linseed oil
  • Technical sunflower oil
  • Technical soybean oil
  • Technical corn oil
  1. Technical rapeseed oil

General Information: Technical rapeseed oil is widely used in industry. It is extracted from rapeseed without the use of high temperatures or chemicals. It has high viscosity and oxidative stability, making it suitable for many technical applications. It contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Production: Production includes harvesting, drying, cold-pressing and filtration of rapeseed.

Application:

  • Machinery industry: lubrication and cooling of machinery.
  • Textile industry: impregnation of fabrics and leathers.
  • Chemical industry: Manufacture of paints, varnishes and detergents.
  • Cosmetics industry: production of soaps, creams and lotions.
  • Biofuel industry: Biodiesel production.
  1. Technical linseed oil

General information: Technical flaxseed oil is extracted from flax seeds. Known for its high content of omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed oil also has drying properties, making it ideal for industrial applications.

Production: Includes cold pressing of flax seeds and filtration without chemicals.

Application:

  • Woodworking industry: Used as a base for paints and varnishes.
  • Textile industry: impregnation of fabrics and fibers.
  • Chemical industry: Raw material for oil paints.
  • Cosmetic industry: Used in the production of soaps and personal care products.
  • Machinery industry: Tool and machine lubrication.
  1. Technical sunflower oil

General information: Technical sunflower oil is extracted from sunflower seeds. It is characterized by a high content of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E.

Production: Includes cold-pressing sunflower seeds and filtering them.

Application:

  • Chemical industry: Manufacture of paints, varnishes and detergents.
  • Cosmetic industry: Raw material for soaps and cosmetics.
  • Textile industry: fabric impregnation.
  • Machinery industry: Used as a lubricant.
  1. Technical soybean oil

General information: Technical soybean oil is extracted from soybean seeds. It is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, including linoleic and oleic acid.

Production: Cold pressing of soybean seeds and filtration.

Application:

  • Chemical industry: Raw material for paints, varnishes and resins.
  • Cosmetics industry: production of soaps and personal care products.
  • Textile industry: impregnation of fabrics and leathers.
  • Biofuel industry: Biodiesel production.
  • Machinery industry: lubrication of machines and tools.
  1. Technical corn oil

General information: Technical corn oil is extracted from the germ of corn. It contains a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E.

Production: Cold pressing of corn germ and filtration.

Application:

  • Chemical industry: Manufacture of paints, varnishes and detergents.
  • Cosmetic industry: Raw material for soaps and cosmetics.
  • Textile industry: impregnation of fabrics and fibers.
  • Machinery industry: Used as a lubricant and coolant.
  • Biofuel industry: Biodiesel production.

Summary

Unrefined technical oils are widely used in various industries, from lubricating machinery to producing cosmetics and biofuels. Due to the lack of refining processes, they may contain impurities, which precludes their consumption, but their natural chemical properties are valuable in many industrial applications.

Vegetable oil production in 2023 and 2024:

World production:

  • 2023: World vegetable oil production in the 2022/23 season is forecast to reach 217.2 million tons, up 8.7 million tons compared to the 2021/22 season.
  • 2024: According to the OECD-FAO, global vegetable oil production in 2024 is expected to increase by 24% (i.e., 41 million tons) from the 2012-2014 average to reach about 210.5 million tons.

Production by type of oil:

  • Palm oil: Palm oil production is expected to increase by 4.5% to 77.5 million tons in 2023. By 2024, palm oil’s share of the global oil production structure is expected to rise from 34% to 36%.
  • Soybean oil: Soybean oil production is also expected to increase in 2024, as a result of larger soybean harvests and processing.
  • Rapeseed oil: Poland is the largest producer of rapeseed oil in Europe. In 2023, its global production was estimated at 32.1 million tons.
  • Sunflower oil: 2023 sunflower oil production is down due to the war in Ukraine. It is estimated at 20.6 million tons.

It should be noted that the above figures are forecasts and are subject to change depending on various factors, such as weather conditions, commodity prices and government policies.

The future of vegetable oil production and use:

Forecasts for future years indicate further growth in the production and use of vegetable oils. It is estimated that global demand for vegetable oils will increase by about 50% by 2050. There are several factors that will drive this growth:

  • Population growth: The world population is expected to grow to 9.7 billion people by 2050, which means increased demand for food, including vegetable oils.
  • Income growth: Rising incomes in developing countries are leading to a shift in dietary preferences to more caloric and processed foods, which often contain vegetable oils.
  • Urbanization: More and more people are living in cities, which means easier access to processed foods rich in vegetable oils.
  • Increased use in biofuels: Growing demand for sustainable energy sources could lead to increased use of vegetable oils for biofuel production.

Palm, soybean and canola oils are expected to remain the main vegetable oils produced in the future. Production of other oils, such as sunflower oil, coconut oil and rapeseed oil, will also increase.

Environmental impact:

An increase in the production and use of vegetable oils can have a negative impact on the environment, among other things:

  • Logging: Cutting down forests for oil plantations can lead to biodiversity loss and soil degradation.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions: The production and transportation of vegetable oils involves greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Water pollution: Improper use of fertilizers and pesticides in oil plantations can lead to water pollution.

Sustainable sourcing and use:

There is a need for sustainable sourcing and use of vegetable oils to minimize their negative impact on the environment. This can be achieved by:

  • Certification of sustainable production: Implementing certification standards that promote sustainable agricultural practices in oil plantations.
  • Improving production efficiency: Increasing the yield of vegetable oil production per hectare to reduce the need for logging.
  • Increasing the use of waste: Using waste from vegetable oil production, such as pomace, to produce biofuels or animal feed.
  • Reducing loss and waste: Reduce vegetable oil loss and waste in the supply chain and among consumers.

The future of vegetable oils is promising, but it is important to balance increased production and use with environmental protection. Sustainable agricultural practices, efficient production technologies and responsible consumption will be key to ensuring the future sustainability of the vegetable oil sector.

In view of the above, MBF Group is constantly expanding its trade in unrefined oils. The company has completed numerous contracts in both the domestic and international markets, supplying technical oils to various industries such as biofuel production, chemicals and cosmetics. Currently, MBF Group SA is actively pursuing more orders, constantly expanding its offerings and adapting them to changing market needs. Thanks to its professional approach and attention to every stage of the delivery process, the company has gained recognition among customers and business partners.