Production of Rapeseed Oil
Rapeseed oil is a vegetable oil obtained from high-quality rapeseed. It is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial and essential for the human body, distinguishing it significantly from many other vegetable oils.
It has applications in numerous industries. Crude rapeseed oil is one of the most important components in producing biofuel (biodiesel), an alternative to conventional diesel. Biodiesel is environmentally friendly and made from renewable plant-based raw materials. Production Process at OAO “Raps”
Crude rapeseed oil is produced through a single-step hot pressing process using oil extraction equipment manufactured in Germany and Russia. Primary oil refining is carried out using GNP-30 and GNP-20 filters.
The presence of grain drying and storage complexes enables the rapid reception, cleaning, drying, and storage of up to 65,000 tons of rapeseed during peak harvest periods.
For the past 15 years, the company has been processing “00” (double-low) varieties of rapeseed, which are low in erucic acid and glucosinolates.
Currently, the main production line processes approximately 5,000 tons of rapeseed per month, with an oil yield of 37%.
Every stage of production is monitored by the in-house quality control laboratory. Sales Markets & Logistics
Sales Markets: Domestic and international (Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Baltic states, and others).
Shipment: Oil is dispatched in both road tankers and railway tank cars.
Quality & Specifications
The physico-chemical indicators of the produced rapeseed oil meet the requirements of the Belarusian Standard STB 1486-2004. The actual values for different grades are provided in the table below. Oil quality can be improved on specific parameters if required.
| Parameter | Values for grade 1 | Values for grade 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Color number, mg Iod max | 85 | 85 |
| 2. Acid value, mg KOH/g | 3,8 | 5,5 |
| 3. Peroxide value, mmol of active oxygen/ kg, max | 2,3 | 2,3 |
| 4. Water and volatile matter content, % max | 0,11 | 0,11 |
| 5. Non-fatty admixture content, % max | 0,09 | 0,09 |
| 6. Erucic acid content, % of free fatty acids, max | 0,75 | 0,75 |
| 7. Soap (qualitative probe) | not standardized | not standardized |
| 8. Flashpoint, °С min | 245 | 245 |
| 9. Phosphorus as per stearooleolecitin, % max | 1 (450 ppm) | 1 (450 ppm) |
| 10. Iodine value, mg J/100 g | 114 | 114 |
| 11. Unsaponifiables, % | 1,4 | 1,4 |
| 12. Saponification value, mg КОН/g | 194 | 194 |
| 13. Sulphur content, mg/kg, max | 20 | 20 |
Due to its high quality, the finished products comply with all regulations and possess the necessary certificates of conformity and origin. Personnel & Future Plans
The main production facility currently employs about 80 people.