Vegetable oils; soya-bean oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified

HS code 150790 covers the trade and production of refined soybean oil and its fractions, excluding crude oil. Soybean oil is one of the most widely consumed vegetable oils globally, with a diverse range of applications in the food, cosmetic, and industrial sectors. As a major agricultural commodity, the soybean oil industry plays a crucial role in the global economy, contributing to food security, industrial development, and international trade.

The production of refined soybean oil typically involves several key steps. First, soybeans are cleaned, cracked, and dehulled. The oil is then extracted from the soybean meal using a solvent extraction process. The crude oil is then refined, which may include degumming, neutralization, bleaching, and deodorization, to remove impurities and improve the oil's quality and stability.

The main inputs for the soybean oil industry include soybeans as the primary raw material, as well as various processing equipment and chemicals used in the refining process. Soybean cultivation requires arable land, water, fertilizers, and agricultural machinery. The refining process also relies on specialized equipment such as extraction units, centrifuges, and distillation columns, as well as chemicals like phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide, and bleaching earth.

The primary output of HS code 150790 is refined soybean oil, which can be further classified into different grades and used for a variety of purposes. Refined soybean oil is commonly used in the food industry for cooking, frying, and as an ingredient in various food products. It is also used in the production of 340510 Polishes and creams, 382319 Prepared binders for foundry moulds or cores, and 382490 Chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included.