Tall oil

Tall oil (CAS 8002-26-4), also marketed under trade names such as Yatall MA and Westvaco CTO, is a byproduct of the kraft pulping process refined into a commercially traded fatty acid and resin acid mixture.

It functions as a low-cost, bio-based raw material for surface modification, lubrication, and rheology control across multiple industrial sectors. In coatings and adhesives, tall oil derivatives act as emulsifiers and tackifiers.

These components contribute to film formation and substrate adhesion in solvent-borne and water-borne systems. The rubber and tire industry uses it as a processing aid and softener to improve compound flow.

This application helps in reducing mixing viscosity during compounding. Textile and leather processors apply it as a lubricant and wetting agent to improve fiber handling and surface penetration of treatment chemicals.

In pulp and paper operations, it supports sizing formulations and internal lubrication of paper machine components. Tall oil is supplied as a dark viscous liquid, with crude tall oil and distilled tall oil representing the primary grades.

Refined fractions, including tall oil fatty acids and tall oil rosin, are available for applications requiring tighter acid value and resin content specifications. Technical grade is the standard market offering.

Specifications for this material are typically defined by acid value, rosin content, and unsaponifiable matter. This ensures consistent performance across various industrial manufacturing and chemical processing environments.