As one of North America’s only native oilseed crops, sunflowers have been a popular commodity for ages. Recognized by its bright yellow blooms, the sunflower’s appeal lies deeper than its ornamental value, thanks to its oil-rich seeds. To reach this valuable plant’s full potential (and profit), processors need to understand the ins and outs of…
With demand for U.S. biofuel production continuing to expand, producers are constantly looking for new fuel sources. One relative newcomer is camelina oil, with producers only recently exploring its commercial uses. The camelina oilseed dates back thousands of years to when it was first produced in Northern Europe. Its oil was initially used for food,…
Nearly every seed is protected by an outer covering, or hull, that contains very little fat or protein content. In the oilseed processing industry where fat and protein drive the value of products, removing this hull can help maximize the profits of the other byproducts. But adding dehulling equipment adds operational expenses, so processors must…
Although its history dates back thousands of years to the Bronze Age, camelina is considered a relatively recent oilseed as its commercial uses are just now being discovered. Showing great potential in terms of agronomic and economic value, this novel crop is rapidly gaining traction as producers discover camelina oil’s many benefits and applications. While…
Although canola oil is a common ingredient today in grocery stores, restaurants, and home kitchens, the popular commodity has a relatively short history compared to other oilseeds. Since canola oil first hit the market in the 1970s, canola processing has quickly advanced as crop varieties and pressing methods have evolved. However, canola’s genetic predecessor—rapeseed—has been…
Processing seeds with high oil content demands extra preparation. Instead of sending cleaned, cooked, flaked material straight into the extractor, as with soybeans, oil-rich seeds like canola require additional pre-pressing first. This step is essential to prepare the material for extraction, but the resulting pre-press cake also presents some challenges throughout the extraction process. To…
Most oilseeds only amount to a literal hill of beans until the valuable oil inside is separated from the solid meal through the process of “crushing.” That process lends its name to the calculation of a “crush margin,” which refers to the profit margin that oil millers make. This figure is based on the difference…
If you’re feeling sticker-shocked by the price of brand-new machinery, you might consider buying used processing equipment instead. While this can offer significant cost savings, it can also be challenging to know exactly what to look for, where to look, and other best practices to follow. How can you be confident that you’re getting a…
With a wide range of applications spanning many different industries, the castor bean is one of the most versatile oilseeds on the planet. Derivatives of the castor oil production process are used in more than 700 products, ranging from nylon and polyester to pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and high-performance motor oils. Driven by the search for renewable…
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