How Tung Oil has Found Applications in Diverse Range of Industry Verticals from Skincare to Varnishes?

Tung oil, also known as China wood oil, or run resin, is an extremely drying oil obtained from pressing the seed of the pine tree (Vernica latifolia) into the ground. This method of obtaining tung oil is called "wood pressing." When tung oil is pressed from the ground it leaves behind a fine filmy film. This film, which is often referred to as "wood ash," has numerous chemical and physical advantages. It is highly valued throughout the Chinese community. Tung oil has many applications in the home, including as a skin irritant, antiseptic, antifungal, and deodorant.

There are several different types of tung oils, including pure tung oil and "people's tea" made with white and green tea powder. Both are herbaceous and grow wild in many parts of China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Burma. Tung oils are pressed from the seeds of the pine tree, which contain volatile oil components that are less toxic than their oil components. Some common pressed seed varieties including Pterocarpum europeanum (producing tung oil of medium quality), Pencandra sinense (producing tung oil of very high quality), and Scutigalea zizanioidis (producing tung oil with a yellowish color). The seed coat is not significant, thus some varieties have a light color; others have a dark color.

Tung oil, when used over other varnishes, produces a glossy and non-colored finish. This makes it suitable to be used over a variety of materials, from wood and ceramic tiles to glass and chrome. It is often used as a sealant over painted and unpainted surfaces to protect them from moisture; however, it is also used as an undercoat for leather and other textiles. A light varnish, often used with a water-based acrylic varnish, produces an oily finish. Although Tung oil is a mainstream product in China, countries such as Germany, Mexico, and Japan have also witnessed is increased demand.