White Oils

Medicinal white oils are widely used in the production of food packaging.  In many incidences, food packaging will come into direct contact with food, therefore high purity materials must be used throughout the entire manufacturing process.  During the extrusion process, lubricating oil is needed.  In keeping with the ‘European Plastics Directive 2002/72/EC’, the lubricating oil must meet a set criteria before use.

CITRUS SPRAY OILS

White oils are used in the protection of citrus fruits in preference to pesticides being due to the minimal impact on the environment and improved occupational hygiene characteristics.  The white oil is blended with water in the presence of an emulsifier.  Once sprayed onto the fruit, the water evaporates off leaving the oil behind to inhibit  the damage done by insects. The method has incredibly low phytotoxic effects. The low unsulfonated  residues and low aromatic content of white oils makes them very favourable for this task.

AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS

The main application for white oils in the realm of agriculture is as a dust suppressant or as a binder in the production of animal feed pellets, grain and fertiliser.  The production of fertilisers can cause highly explosive dust therefore white oils are used to prevent this dust forming, hence lowering the risk of explosion or fire.

POLYSTYRENE MANUFACTURE

The manufacture of polystyrene (whether crystal or high impact) requires an oil to act as a plasticiser to improve malleability during the manufacturing process.  The oils used for this must conform to the European plastics directive.  White oils provide the ideal base material for this application.

TEXTILE OILS

White oils are utilised in the production of textile material, primarily for premium coning oils for the manufacture of synthetic textiles.  White oils exhibit many vital characteristics, such as water white in colour (to avoid staining), low volatility and low odour.

PETROLEUM JELLY

Petroleum Jelly is a complex mixture of highly refined oils and waxes.  The product can be classed as either pharmaceutical or technical grade, depending on the quality of raw materials used in their production.  Pharmaceutical petroleum jellies are also referred to as soft paraffins.  Petroleum jellies are used in the food industry as well as having a wide range of applications such as pharmaceutical ointments bases, cosmetics, the food industry, as well as leather care, elastomers and as a grease / lubricant.

FOOD PROCESSING AND FOOD GRADE LUBRICANTS

Machinery used in the manufacturing of food products requires oils to meet FAD CFR 21 178.3570 and or NSF H1.  White oils are used to blend conveyor belt lubricants as well as base material for a variety of food grade hydraulic and gear oils and greases.

PAPER AND PAPERBOARD DEFOAMING AGENTS

High purity white oils are pivotal in the formulation of deaeration compounds in the paper manufacturing industries. The importance of using extremely high quality white oils cannot be underestimated, as the avoidance of chemical dioxins is prerequisite in paper production.