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 products play a crucial role in the global food and industrial sectors, providing essential raw materials for a wide array of applications. The production and trade of these commodities are closely monitored and regulated, as they have significant economic and environmental implications.

The main production techniques for HS code 151610 involve the processing of animal fats and oils. This typically includes steps such as extraction, purification, hydrogenation, and various esterification processes. Hydrogenation is used to increase the saturation of the fatty acids, while inter-esterification and re-esterification modify the fatty acid composition and melting properties of the oils. These techniques are employed to tailor the physical and chemical characteristics of the final products to meet specific industry requirements.

The primary inputs for the production of goods under HS code 151610 are animal fats and oils, which are sourced from various livestock and poultry industries. Additionally, the manufacturing process may require specialized equipment, such as hydrogenation reactors, esterification units, and refining systems. Energy sources, such as electricity or natural gas, are also essential for powering the production facilities.

The main outputs of HS code 151610 are partially or fully hydrogenated, inter-esterified, or re-esterified animal fats and oils. These products are widely used as ingredients in the food industry, particularly in the manufacture of 151710 Margarine and similar preparations, 151790 Other, and 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. They also find applications in the production of 340600 Candles, tapers and the like, 382319 Other, and various industrial lubricants and chemicals.