What is tall oil?

Tall oil is a yellowish-brown liquid derived from the pulping process of pine trees, specifically from the wood's resin and fatty acids. It is a byproduct of the Kraft process used in paper production and consists mainly of fatty acids, rosin acids, and sterols. Tall oil is used in various applications, including the production of soaps, surfactants, and as a raw material in the chemical industry. Additionally, it has applications in biofuels and as an emulsifier in paints and coatings.