Import and export of Tall Oil Soap (TOS) – raw material for the chemical industry

Tall Oil Soap (TOS), also known as a rosin/colophony raw material, is a sodium tall oil soap derived from South European softwood, obtained as a by-product of paper production through hot alkaline extraction.

Product overview

  • Origin: France
  • Raw material: South European softwood, by-product of paper production
  • Production: hot alkaline extraction
  • Appearance: fatty acid and rosin-containing liquor/soap; viscous, dark brown liquid (“black liquor soap”)
  • Application: chemical industry (emulsifying properties) and as a lubricant component; primarily used for the production of crude tall oil

Average values

Rosin (colophony) acids

ParameterValue
Abietic acid20 %
Dehydroabietic acid7 %
Pimaric acid3 %
Isopimaric acid3 %

Fatty acids

ParameterValue
Oleic-type acids11 %
Elaidic acid4 %
Linoleic acid4 %
Linolelaidic acid4 %
Palmitic acid2 %

Product properties

TOS is a complex mixture of fatty acid salts and rosin acid salts, as well as fatty acid esters, rosin esters and neutral components. Due to its emulsifying properties, Tall Oil Soap is widely used in the chemical industry and as a lubricant component, and serves primarily as a starting material for the production of crude tall oil.