Unlocking the green gold: maximising tall oil yield with chemical solutions by Hannu Hämäläinen, Pulp Segment Team Leader, BIM Kemi and Johan Berglund, Senior Product Developer, BIM Kemi

PAPER TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
Unlocking the green gold: maximising tall oil yield with chemical solutions
Hannu Hämäläinen, Pulp Segment Team leader, BIM Kemi
Johan Berglund, Senior Product developer, BIM Kemi
INTRODUCTION:
As the global economy intensifies its transition towards sustainability, the pulp and paper industry is playing a pivotal role in optimising material efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The industry has long recognised the value of by-products such as tall oil, which is derived from the kraft pulping process. Traditionally underutilised and often burnt for energy, tall oil is increasingly recognised
as a bio-based raw material of strategic importance and value. With applications ranging from biofuels and adhesives to pharmaceuticals,
efficient recovery of this material is vital for both economic and environmental sustainability. Despite its potential, tall oil recovery remains
suboptimal in many pulp mills. Losses due to process ineficiencies, foam formation, and inadequate separation methods limit the economic
and environmental value that could otherwise be derived from this resource. In response, several technological advancements — including
the strategic use of chemical additives — are helping mills significantly boost their recovery rates without major capital investments.
From by-product to bio-product
Tall oil, also known as pine oil, is a viscous, resinous
liquid composed primarily of fatty acids, resin acids, and neutral
compounds. It is formed during the kraft pulping process when
softwood chips react with alkaline cooking liquors, leading to the
formation of sodium salts of fatty and resin acids — collectively
known as soap. This soap is skimmed from black liquor and later
acidulated to yield crude tall oil (CTO).
Although the separation of tall oil in the pulping process has
been known for decades, its wider exploitation has been limited
by both raw material availability and underdeveloped markets.
As a result, tall oil has traditionally been used mainly for energy
production at pulp mills. Historically considered a low-value residue,
tall oil has found renewed significance due to its unique chemical
composition and bio-based origin. It serves as a precursor for
numerous high-value products, including:
•
Biofuels (e.g. biodiesel, renewable diesel)
•
Lubricants and coatings
•
Adhesives and inks
•
Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals
With the adoption of new rules for renewable fuels
worldwide, tall oil has never been as valuable as it is today. The
rising interest in renewable fuels is a major factor driving the
expansion of the tall oil market. Across the globe, governments
are introducing mandates for biofuel usage and providing various
incentives to encourage the shift toward sustainable energy
sources. In this context, tall oil-derived fuels — particularly biodiesel
and renewable diesel — are ideally suited to meet the increasing
demand for eco-friendly alternatives. Having the right strategy for
applying tall oil separation aids has therefore never been so critical
to a mill’s 昀椀nancial performance. Even a 1% increase in tall oil
yield can translate to hundreds of thousands of euros in unrealised
value for a mill. The global tall oil market is currently valued at
approximately €2 billion and if production continues at the current
pace, the market could grow to €3 billion by 2030.
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