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

HS code 151229 covers the trade of refined cotton-seed oil and its various fractions, excluding crude oil. Cotton-seed oil is an important vegetable oil with a wide range of applications in the food, cosmetic, and industrial sectors. As a major agricultural commodity, the cotton-seed oil industry plays a significant role in the global economy, contributing to the supply of edible oils and supporting the livelihoods of farmers and producers worldwide.

The production of refined cotton-seed oil typically involves a multi-step process. First, the cotton seeds are mechanically pressed to extract the crude oil. This crude oil then undergoes a refining process, which may include degumming, neutralization, bleaching, and deodorization, to remove impurities and improve the oil's quality and stability. The resulting refined cotton-seed oil can be further fractionated into various grades and specifications to meet the diverse needs of end-users.

The main inputs required for the cotton-seed oil industry include cotton seeds as the primary raw material, as well as specialized equipment and machinery for oil extraction, refining, and fractionation. Additionally, the industry relies on a range of supporting services, such as transportation, storage, and quality control, to ensure the efficient and reliable supply of the final product.

Refined cotton-seed oil and its fractions are the primary outputs of this industry, with a wide range of applications. The oil can be used for cooking, frying, and as an ingredient in various food products, such as 190190 Preparations for food or drink, n.e.c. and 210690 Food preparations, n.e.c.. Additionally, cotton-seed oil and its derivatives are used in the production of 340111 Soap and organic surface-active products and preparations for use as soap, in the form of bars, cakes, moulded pieces or shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent and 382499 Chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries, incl. those consisting of mixtures of natural products, n.e.c..