We have been traders and brokers in oils and fats since 1900 within the UK, originally dealing
predominantly with animal by products of the meat industry - Tallow and Meat and bone meal.
Tallow, seven centuries ago was used for heat and power. Since then it has been used for
soap, animal feed, lubricants, oleo chemicals (pharmaceuticals in particular). Currently the
wheel has almost turned full circle and amongst the other uses it is being used for bio-diesel
and also ‘green power’
M&B meal – the other main part of the by-product is sold for pet food and fertiliser. Until the
BSE crisis this was also allowed to be sold into animal feed but this was stopped in the 1990’s
In the mid 1970’s our business evolved into trading edible oils and refinery by-products from
the vegetable oil industry. These are known as Acid oils if from chemical refining or Fatty Acid
Distillates if from physical refiners. These Acid oils are used for Animal feed. We still supply
specialist manufacturers with crude vegetable oils
Recovered Vegetable oil was an industry that developed in the 1960’s as fast food chains
developed and less animal fats were used in frying. Originally this product was sold to the
animal feed markets but after the Foot & Mouth crisis it was banned in 2003 for anything other
than technical. Currently the main market is to bio-diesel – both in the UK and in Europe
where it attracts a subsidy as a waste material. It can also be used for power generation –
which is a much more efficient use of the raw material – but it unfortunately is less competitive
owing to less subsidy being available.
By-products from the bio-diesel manufacturers e.g. glycerine and fatty acids are now finding
their markets.
