Chemical products; tall oil, whether or not refined

HS code 380300 covers the classification of tall oil, a valuable chemical product derived from the pulping process of softwood trees. Tall oil is an important industrial raw material, finding widespread use in a variety of applications across multiple sectors. As a byproduct of the 470100 Mechanical wood pulp and 470200 Chemical wood pulp, dissolving grades industries, tall oil plays a crucial role in the broader forest products economy, contributing to the efficient utilization of natural resources.

Tall oil is primarily produced as a co-product during the kraft pulping process, where wood chips are cooked under high temperature and pressure in a solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide. This process separates the cellulose fibers from the lignin and other wood components, including tall oil. The tall oil is then skimmed off the surface of the pulping liquor and further refined to remove impurities, resulting in the final tall oil product.

The main inputs required for the production of tall oil include softwood trees, typically pine or fir, which serve as the raw material. The kraft pulping process also requires significant amounts of water, energy, and chemical reagents such as sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide. Specialized equipment, including digesters, evaporators, and distillation columns, are essential for the efficient extraction and refinement of tall oil.

Tall oil is a versatile chemical product with a wide range of applications. It is commonly used as a feedstock for the production of 380590 Gum, wood or sulphate turpentine and other terpenic oils and 380620 Tall oil pitch, which are further processed into a variety of downstream products. Tall oil is also used in the manufacture of soaps, lubricants, paints, and coatings, as well as in the production of biofuels and other renewable chemicals.