The Finnish article was published in Puunvuoro Magazine, March 2025.
Text by: Ari Rytsy
Hannu Hämäläinen, Pulp team leader for the BIM group.
English translation of the article (by BIM Kemi):
A new method improves tall oil yield
BIM Finland has developed a new concept for utilising by-products from the pulp industry. The method enables more efficient recovery of tall oil (pine oil), which improves the profitability of pulp mills and reduces the environmental impact of the industry.
Tall oil has evolved from being a by-product of the forest industry into a valued bioproduct, used in the production of chemicals, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals. With the growing focus on sustainable development, it is important for pulp mills to utilise tall oil efficiently, both from the perspective of economic profitability and environmental responsibility.
In the concept developed by BIM Finland, tall oil yield is enhanced by improving the separation of extractives from brown stock. A chemically enhanced soap skimming process allows for the recovery of valuable tall oil soap from black liquor. In addition, the concept also enhances the separation of tall oil from the soap.
“With chemically enhanced separation, we can increase the recovery of tall oil in pulp production to over 95 per cent, whereas traditional methods often achieve only about 80–90 per cent. This significant improvement does not require new equipment solutions or major investments but is implemented simply by dosing chemicals into the pulp mill’s existing processes,” says Hannu Hämäläinen, team leader of the Pulp segment at BIM Kemi.
A sustainable raw material for the industry of the future
Tall oil is a versatile material that has found applications in numerous industrial sectors due to its unique chemical composition. Tall oil contains fatty acids, resin acids, and other organic compounds.
The fatty acids, familiar from soaps, make tall oil an effective lubricant and coating agent. Meanwhile, the resin acids act as water-repellents and provide adhesion and curing properties required in adhesives and paints.
“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. For this reason, tall oil has traditionally been used primarily for energy production in pulp mills,” says Hämäläinen.
Tall oil recovery in pulp production can reach up to 95%.
The green transition has led to a significant increase in demand for bio-based materials, which has increased the value of tall oil. Advanced technologies now enable more efficient separation of wood extractives and the production of higher-quality tall oil products. Thanks to new refining methods, a wider range of products can be made from tall oil, which promotes sustainable development and reduces dependence on fossil raw materials.
The growth of biofuels increases the value of tall oil
The tall oil market is especially strong in regions with a thriving pulp and paper industry, such as North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. In Europe, Finland and Sweden, in particular, are prominent players due to their strong forest and pulp industries. In the Asia-Pacific region, there is growing interest in tall oil, driven by increased environmental awareness and industrial demand.
“Currently, the global tall oil market is valued at approximately €2 billion. If tall oil production continues to increase at its current pace, the market could grow to €3 billion by 2030. This growth will require both advancements in separation technologies and investments in new pulp mills,” estimates Hämäläinen.
The demand for renewable fuels is a key growth driver for tall oil. Governments around the world are implementing biofuel mandates and offering incentives for adopting renewable energy. Tall oil-based biofuels, especially biodiesel and renewable diesel, are well-positioned to meet this growing demand.
