- Oil-seed Processing

Oil-seed processing results in the production of refined edible oil and oil cake for use in animal feed. Rapeseed yields around 40% oil and, like sunflower, is considered a "rich" seed. Soybeans, on the other hand, have a higher protein content.

- Refining

The purpose of refining is to remove the impurities (free fatty acids, phospholipids, proteins, wax, oxidation products, etc.) from the crude oil to produce an edible oil with the required taste, colour, texture, etc.

Refining can be divided into two categories:

- chemical refining

- physical refining, which involves high-vacuum steam distillation at over 235°C. This method is also often referred to as neutralising distillation or steam stripping. This process is currently only used with liquid crude oils obtained using best practices and the highest-quality seeds (sunflower, rapeseed and soybeans).

- Virgin Oils

This designation can only be applied to edible oils if they have been produced using the seeds or fruit stated in their name. Such oils must be produced using purely mechanical techniques, clarified using only physical and mechanical methods and must not undergo any chemical treatment or refining processes.

For more information, click the attached diagrams.