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Metsä Crude Sulphate Turpentine (CST)

Metsä Crude Sulphate Turpentine (CST)

Metsä Crude Sulphate Turpentine (CST)

We are one of the world’s leading producers of wood-based biochemicals. In all our processes at Metsä Fibre, every part of the tree is used as efficiently as possible. Crude Sulphate Turpentine is a mixture of variety of terpenes and volatile organic compounds extracted from coniferous trees during the kraft pulping process of wood. We produce Metsä Crude Sulphate Turpentine (CST) as a bioproduct from our pulp production. This wood-based renewable raw material is an alternative to fossil-based materials and can be used in a variety of industries. End applications include fragrances, perfumes and cosmetics, as well as industrial and household cleaners, and even food and beverages.

Our CST is produced at all of Metsä Fibre’s pulp mills (Joutseno and Rauma) and bioproduct mills (Kemi and Äänekoski) in Finland and at Metsä Board’s mill in Sweden (Husum). Our customers use it as a raw material in their operations around the world. At Metsä Fibre, we ensure that our product meets our customers’ requirements regarding end product characteristics and properties. Our customers rely on the consistent quality and outstanding chemical characteristics of Metsä Crude Sulphate Turpentine.

Turpentine production as a side reaction of pulping

Crude Sulphate Turpentine production is the procedure of extracting the turpentine from the wood during kraft process in the pulp industry. We produce our pulp through kraft process by treating wood chips with hot aqueous sodium hydroxide(NaOH) and sodium sulfide(Na2S). The main reaction of cooking Nordic pine and spruce wood chips with this solution frees the lignin from the wood fibres. The resulting spent cooking liquor consists of dissolved wood resin containing terpenes and other volatile organic compounds. This mixture of liquor is processed in a recovery boiler that goes through combustion to collect and separate the crude sulphate turpentine. Additionally, in this recovery line of the pulp mill, the generated heat and steam is used in renewable energy generation as part of our bioenergy production.

Metsä Crude Sulphate Turpentine is produced from Nordic pines and spruce wood chips. Nordic wood is known to have higher pulp production and ultimately by-product yields and this results in Metsä biochemicals that are more efficient and unique. Our consistent product quality is a combination of our wood raw material quality, the biomaterials engineering with continuous development and resource efficiency.

Typical end uses of crude sulphate turpentine:

    • Construction
    • Paints
    • Glues
    • Solvents
    • Disinfectants
    • Detergents and cleaners
    • Citrus-scented sprays
  • Mascara
  • Lipstick
  • Perfume
  • Chewing gum
  • Ice cream
  • Car tyres

Crude Sulphate Turpentine replacing fossil-based products

The wood-based Metsä CST is a promising raw material with low carbon emissions that can replace fossil-based materials in many industrial processes. Unlike the sources of other bio-based raw materials, trees have the unique ability to capture and store carbon dioxide. At Metsä Fibre, we produce our CST responsibly by sustainable forest management while safeguarding biodiversity. We contribute to the European Union’s circular economy goals, as well as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). We produce biochemicals profitably and responsibly for sustainable growth.  

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