Vegetable Acid Oil (Soapstock Acid Oil: Soy, Sun, Rape & Corn)

Acidulated soapstock from chemical refining of soy, sunflower, rape and corn oil, bought on TFM, FFA and ISCC certification

Vegetable acid oil is the secondary lipid stream recovered from the chemical refining of edible vegetable oils — primarily soybean, sunflower, rapeseed, and corn oil — and it is fundamentally distinct from physical refining distillates like PFAD. In chemical refining, crude vegetable oils undergo alkali neutralisation with sodium hydroxide to remove free fatty acids, producing an alkaline soapstock (salts of fatty acids, HS 1522.00). This soapstock is subsequently acidulated with mineral acid (typically sulphuric acid, H₂SO₄) and settled to separate the aqueous sodium sulphate phase, yielding acidulated soapstock, known in international trade as vegetable acid oil (declared under HS 3823.19.90 as "acid oils from refining").

The chemistry dictates how the cargo performs in downstream processing. While physical refining distillates (such as palm fatty acid distillate, Catalogue 13.6.5) are stripped by vacuum steam distillation and consist of dry, near-pure free fatty acids (70–95% FFA) with low moisture but concentrated unsaponifiables and oxidation products, vegetable acid oils (EU Feed Catalogue entry 13.6.1) carry an FFA range of 40% to 70% (median ~55–58%), with the remainder comprising intact triacylglycerols (TAG 10–50%), diacylglycerols (DAG 6–28%), monoacylglycerols, and residual phosphatides/lecithins. Moisture typically assays at 1.0% to 3.0% and insoluble impurities at 0.5% to 1.5%. Total Fatty Matter (TFM) is contracted on a 95% minimum basis. The iodine value reflects the source seed: soybean acid oil (SAO) runs IV 120–135 g I₂/100g; sunflower acid oil IV 115–130; rapeseed/canola acid oil IV 100–115; and corn acid oil IV 110–125.

Three distinct buyer sectors drive demand, each with rigid gateway criteria: 1. Advanced Biorefineries (HVO / SAF & Biodiesel): Hydrotreating plants (such as Neste, Repsol, and Cargill Bioro) and esterification biodiesel producers process vegetable acid oils into renewable fuels. When destined for European renewable fuel compliance under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II / RED III), parcels require full ISCC EU certification with an unbroken Proof of Sustainability (PoS) tracing from the crushing/refining plant through every intermediary trader, verifying greenhouse gas (GHG) savings and proving waste/residue classification. Fixed-bed hydrotreaters enforce strict catalyst poison limits: chlorides ≤ 10–20 ppm, total phosphorus ≤ 15–25 ppm, and polyethylene nil. 2. Animal Feed Compounding: Under European Commission Regulation (EU) No 68/2013 (Catalogue of feed materials, entry 13.6.1), chemical refining acid oils are approved energetic feed-fat ingredients for poultry and swine rations. Feed buyers require EFISC-GTP or GMP+ feed-safety scheme certification, HACCP compliance, and laboratory verification that dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs, and heavy metals comply with Directive 2002/32/EC. 3. Oleochemicals & Soap Manufacturing: Soap plants use acid oils for saponification into laundry soaps and soap noodles, or split them into mixed fatty acids for industrial distillation.

UN Comtrade export data under HS 3823.19 covers over 4 million MT of secondary fatty acids and acid oils globally. Argentina's Up-River Paraná crushing cluster (Rosario, San Lorenzo) is the dominant global exporter of soybean acid oil (SAO), shipping regularly to the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy. Brazil, Spain, Ukraine, and Türkiye represent major regional refining sources. Parcels are contracted under FOSFA Contract No. 81 (Acid Oils & Secondary Residues) or FOSFA 53/54 and move in 20–22 MT multi-layer flexitanks with steam-heating pads in 20ft containers, heated ISO tanks, or 2,000–6,000 MT heated chemical parcel tankers (IMO Type 2/3, worked via CBIL's LaycanDesk) on FOB, CFR, or CIF terms. Quality is independently certified at loading by SGS, Intertek, or a FOSFA-accredited analyst. Send your target oil origin (soy, sun, rape), required FFA/TFM band, intended application (biofuel with ISCC or feed fat with GMP+), and destination port to structure a matched position.

Need the ship as well? Our chartering desk prices chemical and vegetable oil tanker chartering on LaycanDesk.

Excluded origins are not offered, including product re-exported, blended or re-processed through a third country. Every lot moves with a certificate of origin naming the producing plant, mine or grower country, and nothing is quoted before the seller and loading point are known.