Oils & fats in Latin America

Adding enzymes to the degumming process significantly boosts oil yields but involves retrofits. In Latin America, we’re developing the world’s first degumming center of excellence to serve customers around the globe. Trials on customers’ feedstocks in the center’s pilot-scale plant will give them the insights they need to unlock the value of enzymatic degumming. 

Soy oil is a valuable commodity for soy-growing nations including Brazil and Argentina, so it’s essential that producers get the most from every bean. Our pioneering technologies play a key role in ensuring customers get all they expect from enzymatic degumming. By improving gum separation, our solutions for water degumming, alkaline refining and physical refining reduce phospholipid levels. That means crushing facilities can expect more in terms of oil yields, with increases of up to 2%.

The retrofitting needed to incorporate enzymes can take significant CAPEX however. Before making this investment, plants need to know what yield increases they can expect from their specific feedstock. While lab trials can be a useful indicator of yields, it can be difficult for them to replicate industrial plants’ scale or conditions. Often, business cases based on detailed plant audits and value chain assessments are also essential to reveal the value of enzymatic degumming. In short, potential customers need more certainty before they can unlock its full potential.