The ultimate goal of pressing oilseeds is to separate the oil from the solid seed material. Even in the most efficient processing plants, the oil leaving the press could still contain up to 10-20% solids by weight, which impacts the final product quality. Processors have a few options to remove these remaining particles and clarify…
Overcoming the Processing Challenges of Cottonseed Oil
Around the world, cotton is primarily grown to make the fluffy white fiber found in bedsheets, t-shirts, and blue jeans. For most of this crop’s history, the seeds were just a byproduct of textile production—even though the plants produce twice as much seed as fiber. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that processors began…
Palm Oil vs. Palm Kernel Oil: Two Everyday Products From the Same Tree
From the grocery aisles to the cosmetic counter, about half of all packaged goods on retail shelves today contain a byproduct from the oil palm. This tropical tree supplies not one but two of the world’s most versatile vegetable oils used to make ice cream creamy, crackers crispy, soaps bubbly, and much more. Although palm…
Breaking Down the Basics of Copra Oil Processing
Every single part of the coconut serves a purpose, earning the versatile plant its nickname as the “Tree of Life.” The husk provides fiber or coir used in ropemaking, the hard woody shell can be burned for charcoal, and the edible meat and water inside are consumed worldwide. But the most valuable byproduct of this…
Extend your Crushing Capabilities with Oilseed Toll Processing
Oilseed processing can be a massive undertaking between all the industrial equipment, specialized expertise, and intricate steps required to run a pressing plant. To tap into these capabilities quickly with less cost and reduced risk, companies may outsource their crushing operation to a toll processing partner instead. By paying an oilseed toll processor to crush…
Overcoming the Challenges of Sunflower Seed Processing
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…
Exploring the Potential of Camelina Oil for Biodiesel and Jet Fuel
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,…
The Economics of Dehulling Oilseeds
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…
Discovering the Potential of Camelina Oil
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…