Wool comes from sheep, but where does lanolin come from?

Lanolin is a natural substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of sheep. It is a secretion attached to the surface of wool. It is white or light yellow to dark brown paste-like translucent body with a bad smell. It is easily soluble in ether, toluene, chloroform, acetone, petroleum ether, slightly soluble in ethanol, insoluble in water, but can absorb water equivalent to twice its own weight. Lanolin has stable chemical properties and has good adhesion to metal surfaces.

It is reported that there are more than 250,000 tons of lanolin produced worldwide each year, but in fact only about 20,000 tons are recycled. Lanolin is mainly obtained by concentrating, extracting and refining wool washing wastewater. The recovery of lanolin not only reduces the pollution of wool washing wastewater to the environment, but also can turn waste into treasure and make comprehensive utilization.

The general process of lanolin extraction is: raw leather pretreatment → benzene extraction, precipitation → evaporation → acid treatment → neutralization → decolorization → re-refining, etc.

The role of lanolin

Lanolin can make the skin smooth and tender. Its skin-beautifying effect was first discovered because someone found that the hands of Australian sheep farmers were generally more delicate than those of ordinary people. Later, it was found that it was the effect of lanolin.

Cosmetic-grade lanolin can be used in cold cream, anti-wrinkle cream, anti-cracking cream, shampoo cream, conditioner, hair cream, lipstick and high-grade soap, etc. It is often used as an oil-in-water emulsifier and is an excellent moisturizing substance. It can soften and restore dry or rough skin due to lack of natural moisture.

It is used in medicine to prepare rheumatism ointment, zinc oxide adhesive plaster and ointment base.

Industrial refined lanolin can be used for special military needs, is an important raw material for anti-rust and lubricating additives, and is also the most ideal raw material for cutting emulsified oil. It can best play the role of lubrication, heat dissipation and rust prevention, and is suitable for synthetic fiber, rubber, latex and other industries. It can also be used as an auxiliary agent for spraying pesticides (mainly for adhesion) and other aspects. Lanolin can be further used to produce a series of products with higher output value through saponification separation and reaction with various reagents, such as cholesterol, lanolin acid, lanolin alcohol, isopropyl lanolin, liquid lanolin, water-soluble lanolin, acetylated lanolin, lanolin acid metal soap, ethoxylated lanolin alcohol, etc. These products are widely used in medicine, cosmetics, mechanical lubrication, rust prevention, lactic acid, textile, leather and other industries.