Wool-grease is the raw material used to produce Lanolin. It is a fat like substance secreted from the sebaceous glands of sheep which is then deposited onto the sheep's fleece The primary function of the sebum is to protect the fleece from climate changes to which the sheep are subjected i.e. wind, rain, sun and snow. The wool contains approximately 5- 16% by weight of this sebaceous secretion as well as containing other impurities such as soil, salts and unwanted organic matter, though this is variable depending on the breed of sheep from which the wool is obtained. The wool is processed to remove and recover both the wool and the wool-grease and to remove any other unwanted impurities. Wool-grease recovery is carried out using a number of different methods which include the solvent recovery method, the acid cracking method or the much preferred, detergent scouring and centrifuge method. The majority of wool grease recovered today is recovered using the detergent scouring / centrifuge method as this is considered the gentlest process, offering protection to both the wool-fiber and the wool-grease during scouring. Later processing of the wool-grease into lanolin removes any remaining traces of color impurities and residual free acids that may be present after scouring has been completed. The Rossen purification and refining processes are designed to ensure maximum recovery of lanolin from the wool-grease and to produce lanolin of the very highest quality and purity, with minimal odor. Lanolin produced by Rossen will conform to all of the Pharmacopoeia Standards as required by global customers.