Have you ever thought about what makes your lipstick smooth or your machine oil work better? The answer might surprise you – it's castor oil! This amazing natural oil can be changed into many different forms that help industries worldwide.
Castor oil and its derivatives are widely used in cosmetics, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, and many other products. Let's see how these bio-based oils are grabbing the attention of manufacturing businesses across the globe.
What Are Castor Oil Derivatives?
Castor oil derivatives are special products made by processing pure castor oil using different methods such as hydrogenation, dehydration, esterification, and transesterification. The oil naturally contains 90% ricinoleic acid, which makes it perfect for creating these useful derivatives.
Different Types of Castor Oil
Before producing derivatives, castor oil is refined into different grades based on purity, colour, and industrial use.
- Castor Oil Commercial: Standard industrial-grade oil pressed from cleaned castor seeds. Pale yellow with mild odour and moderate viscosity.
- Castor Oil FSG (First Special Grade) / BSS (Bona Special Standard): This is refined oil with reduced acidity and moisture. Conforms to BIS specifications for better quality and stability.
- Castor Oil Pale Pressed Grade (PPG): Extracted from the first pressing without heat. Light-colored, low in free fatty acids, and offers excellent clarity.
- Castor Oil Cold Pressed Grade: It is mechanically extracted without applying heat. Retains natural nutrients, viscosity, and oxidative stability.
- Castor Oil Pharma Grade (BP/USP): Produced as per British and U.S. Pharmacopoeia standards. Highly refined with minimal peroxide value and high purity.
- Castor Oil Cosmetic Grade: This oil is extra refined to remove color, odor, and impurities. Clear, smooth, and suitable for formulations requiring high aesthetic quality.
- Castor Oil Electrical Grade:Specially processed for high dielectric strength and ultra-low moisture content. Characterized by superior insulating properties.
Common Derivatives of Castor Oil
- Hydrogenated Castor Oil (HCO): Made by adding hydrogen to castor oil, this waxy solid melts at 85-88°C and works great as a thickener and stabilizer in creams and medicines.
- Dehydrated Castor Oil (DCO): Created by removing water at high heat with catalysts, this oil dries quickly and forms strong films. This is perfect for paints and coatings.
- Ricinoleic Acid: This is the main fatty acid in castor oil (90%), isolated through hydrolysis or saponification. This unique 18-carbon hydroxylated fatty acid has antimicrobial properties and amazing lubricity and is widely used in soaps and surfactants.
- 12-Hydroxy Stearic Acid: Made by hydrogenating ricinoleic acid, it stays stable up to 200°C and works as a strong thickener in greases and plastics.
- Sulfonated Castor Oil (Turkey Red Oil/TRO): Created by treating castor oil with sulfuric acid, this becomes water-soluble and works as an excellent wetting agent in textiles and leather processing.
- Castor Oil/HCO Ethoxylates: These derivatives are prepared by adding ethylene oxide to castor oil or HCO, creating powerful emulsifiers and surfactants for industrial cleaners and agricultural products.
- Low Moisture Castor Oil:This has a very low moisture content (below 0.1%). This is an essential element for the preparation of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Industrial Applications of Castor Oil & Its Derivatives
- Personal Hygiene and Cosmetics Industry
The two main ingredients that are used in making lipsticks, creams, and shampoos are Hydrogenated castor oil and ricinoleic acid. They make products creamy, help blend ingredients evenly, and maintain formula stability.
- Pharmaceutical Industry
- Lubricants Industry
- Plastics and Polymers Sector
- Agriculture Industry:
- Food and Beverages Sector:
- Textile Industry:
- Renewable Energy Sector:
These are used in preparing tablet coatings. HCO makes it easier for the body to use medicines that don’t dissolve easily. Ricinoleic acid's healing properties make it useful in skin ointments and wound care products.
12-Hydroxy stearic acid is essential in high-quality greases and hydraulic fluids. These derivatives provide excellent lubrication, work well in extreme temperatures, and break down naturally. They stick to metal surfaces well and protect machinery under heavy pressure.
DCO is used in the manufacturing of biodegradable plastics and polyurethane foams. Its chemical structure allows it to create strong, flexible materials.
Castor derivatives work as natural pesticides and help spread agricultural chemicals evenly. Sulfonated castor oil improves how pesticides mix with water, making crop protection products more effective and safer for the environment.
Food-grade HCO is used as a release agent and coating for candies and fruits. It's approved as a food additive E912 and meets all safety standards for food contact applications.
Textile makers use DCO and TRO as finishing agents and dyeing helpers. These derivatives make fabrics softer, help dyes absorb better, and add water-resistant properties to finished textiles.
The industry uses castor derivatives for biodiesel and bio-lubricants in wind turbines. Their high energy content and renewable nature make them good alternatives to fossil fuels, supporting the shift to green energy.
Why Rely on Modi Oil Mill for Castor Oil & Its Derivatives?
- Advanced Processing Facilities:Modi Oil Mill uses advanced equipment to deliver better quality and purity that meet international standards
- Years of Experience: We have years of experience in this industry, which allows us to understand the requirements of different sectors.
- Tested Quality: Every batch is tested thoroughly using methods like GC-MS analysis to guarantee top-quality products.
- 12-Hydroxy Stearic Acid: Made by hydrogenating ricinoleic acid, it stays stable up to 200°C and works as a strong thickener in greases and plastics.
- Nature-Friendly Approach: The company sources from sustainable farms and uses green processing methods that keep nature safe.
- Castor Oil/HCO Ethoxylates:These derivatives are prepared by adding ethylene oxide to castor oil or HCO, creating powerful emulsifiers and surfactants for industrial cleaners and agricultural products.
- Personalized Formulations:Modi Oil Mill creates special formulations to meet your specific needs.
Conclusion
Castor oil and its derivatives are truly versatile products used across many industries. Their unique properties make them irreplaceable in modern manufacturing. Modi Oil Mill delivers premium castor oil grades and derivatives using best practices.
Ready to use castor oil & its derivatives for your business? Contact Modi Oil Mill today to discuss your needs. Call us now for samples and technical information!
FAQ
The main types include HCO, DCO, ricinoleic acid, 12-hydroxy stearic acid, sulfonated castor oil (TRO), castor oil ethoxylates, and low moisture castor oil, each with unique properties.
Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, lubricants, and plastics industries are the biggest users, followed by textiles, agriculture, and renewable energy sectors.
Castor derivatives are biodegradable, renewable, and have unique hydroxyl functionality. They perform excellently and create less environmental impact than petroleum-based options.
Yes, cosmetic-grade castor derivatives are tested thoroughly and approved by regulatory bodies like the FDA and REACH for safe use in personal care items.
Yes, Modi Oil Mill creates custom formulations tailored to your industry needs, including specific viscosity, hydroxyl value, and acid value requirements.
Their focus on quality, modern facilities, eco-friendly practices, technical knowledge, and reliable product performance makes them a trusted industry partner.
Contact Modi Oil Mill's customer service team directly, and they'll help you choose products.
Yes, Modi Oil Mill offers product samples with complete technical data sheets so you can test them for your specific needs before placing orders.
Choose Modi Oil Mill for their 50 years of expertise, advanced refining technology, consistent quality, ethical business practices, and reliable supply worldwide.
Contact Modi Oil Mill directly by phone to discuss your specific needs, quantities, and delivery schedules for Low Moisture Castor Oil.
