Animal fat feedstocks for oleochemicals

Abstract Inedible tallow is a major raw material source in the manufacture of fatty acids and hence in the production of oleochemicals. The U.S. generates about 55% of the world's total tallow production of six million metric tons, but supplies about 80% of the tallow imported by other countries. U.S. inedible tallow and grease usually is a blend whose principal component is rendered beef fat. It consistently has been and still is the least expensive of the various fats and oils and is traded in various grades depending on physical characteristics.