Wool Fat

lat: Adeps lanae | En: Lanolin

A byproduct of wool production, lanolin is the grease of new-shorn "greasy" wool.

Properties

Physical & Chemical Properties

Waterproofing qualities.

History & Usage

Everyday use

Lanolin is used extensively in cosmetics and topical liniments. It is a protective skin treatment for babies and breastfeeding women. It can also restore water and dirt repellant qualities to wool and is used to create oilcloth for diapers, bandages, and feminine hygiene products.
When mixed with ingredients such as neatsfoot oil, beeswax, and glycerol, lanolin is used in various leather treatments.
Lanolin, when mixed with ingredients such as neatsfoot oil, beeswax and glycerol, is used in various leather treatments, for example in some saddle soaps and in leather care products.

Refinement

The wool from one sheep will produce about 250–300 ml of recoverable wool grease, or up to 25% of the shorn wool volume. Lanolin is extracted by washing the wool in hot water with a detergent to remove dirt, wool grease (crude lanolin), suint (sweat salts), and anything else stuck to the wool. The waxlike wool grease is continuously removed during this washing process.

Type

Biomaterial

Melting / Freezing Point

38 °C (100 °F)