Animal fats and oils and their fractions; partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified or elaidinised, whether or not refined, but not further prepared

HS code 151610 covers a range of animal fats and oils that have undergone various processing techniques, such as hydrogenation, inter-esterification, and re-esterification. These processed fats and oils play a crucial role in the food, cosmetic, and industrial sectors, providing essential ingredients and raw materials for a wide array of products. As a key component of the global oils and fats industry, this classification code represents a significant segment of international trade and economic activity.

The production of the animal fats and oils covered under HS code 151610 typically involves a series of processing steps. First, the raw animal fats and oils are extracted from various sources, such as livestock, poultry, or marine animals. These raw materials are then subjected to hydrogenation, a process that adds hydrogen atoms to the fatty acids, altering their chemical structure and physical properties. Inter-esterification and re-esterification are additional techniques used to modify the fatty acid composition and improve the functional characteristics of the fats and oils. The final products may be refined to remove impurities and enhance their quality, but they are not further prepared for specific end-uses.

The main inputs required for the production of the animal fats and oils under HS code 151610 include the raw animal fats and oils, as well as various processing equipment and chemicals. The raw materials are typically sourced from livestock, poultry, or marine animals, and may include tallow, lard, fish oil, and other animal-derived lipids. The processing equipment required includes hydrogenation reactors, inter-esterification units, and refining systems. Additionally, hydrogen gas, catalysts, and other chemicals may be used in the various processing steps.

The primary outputs of the industry covered by HS code 151610 are the processed animal fats and oils, which can be used as ingredients or raw materials in a variety of industries. These processed fats and oils may be used in the production of 151710 Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their fractions, partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified or elaidinised, whether or not refined, but not further prepared, 151800 Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their fractions, boiled, oxidised, dehydrated, sulphurised, blown, polymerised by heat in vacuum or in inert gas or otherwise chemically modified, excluding those of heading 1516; inedible mixtures or preparations of animal or vegetable fats or oils or of fractions of different fats or oils of this chapter, not elsewhere specified or included, and 382319 Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids; acid oils from refining, among other related codes.