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Nearly every seed is protected by an outer covering, or hull, that contains very little fat or protein content. In the oilseed processing industry where fat and protein drive the value of products, removing this hull can help maximize the profits of the other byproducts. But adding dehulling equipment adds operational expenses, so processors must…

Although its history dates back thousands of years to the Bronze Age, camelina is considered a relatively recent oilseed as its commercial uses are just now being discovered. Showing great potential in terms of agronomic and economic value, this novel crop is rapidly gaining traction as producers discover camelina oil’s many benefits and applications. While…

Although canola oil is a common ingredient today in grocery stores, restaurants, and home kitchens, the popular commodity has a relatively short history compared to other oilseeds. Since canola oil first hit the market in the 1970s, canola processing has quickly advanced as crop varieties and pressing methods have evolved. However, canola’s genetic predecessor—rapeseed—has been…

Processing seeds with high oil content demands extra preparation. Instead of sending cleaned, cooked, flaked material straight into the extractor, as with soybeans, oil-rich seeds like canola require additional pre-pressing first. This step is essential to prepare the material for extraction, but the resulting pre-press cake also presents some challenges throughout the extraction process. To…

Most oilseeds only amount to a literal hill of beans until the valuable oil inside is separated from the solid meal through the process of “crushing.” That process lends its name to the calculation of a “crush margin,” which refers to the profit margin that oil millers make. This figure is based on the difference…

If you’re feeling sticker-shocked by the price of brand-new machinery, you might consider buying used processing equipment instead. While this can offer significant cost savings, it can also be challenging to know exactly what to look for, where to look, and other best practices to follow. How can you be confident that you’re getting a…

With a wide range of applications spanning many different industries, the castor bean is one of the most versatile oilseeds on the planet. Derivatives of the castor oil production process are used in more than 700 products, ranging from nylon and polyester to pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and high-performance motor oils. Driven by the search for renewable…

Processors expect a lot from industrial equipment. Machines run nonstop at many facilities, pressing tons of raw material that gradually wears down even the toughest steel. Heavy-duty processing equipment requires regular maintenance, repair, and even rebuilds to keep running at peak capacity—and avoid the costly downtime that can quickly eat away profits. To minimize every…

Driven by increasing demand for high-quality, natural ingredients in food products, cosmetics, fuels, and other applications, the market for specialty oils and fats continues to grow. Industry reports estimate that this sector will expand from $12.6 billion in 2020 to nearly $20 billion by 2026. Specialty oilseed processing isn’t typically a large-scale operation—especially compared to…