I was reading through an introduction to a local tung oil manufacturer and thought the information of what tung oil can be found here might be useful to buyers out there. I have stated before that many of these Chinese companies have decent Chinese language information out there for customers, but the English marketing is non-existant, crypticly translated, or not backed up with anybody who will answer a simple e-mail response.
And, as usual, the Chinese information is clear, concise, and detailed. Its English equivalent is so generalized that nobody would likely even notice the information, and if they did, would not know if the product they sought was for sale or not. So, here is my brief introduction to the tung oil available in the Liuzhou region.
The fine tung oil sold out of Hong Kong and from the east coast of China is primarily produced more inland. Producers like those in the Southwest do not have the connections, English, or whatever to sell overseas. So, they ship to the well known sellers. Why not buy direct from Guangxi, Hunan, or Guizhou? That is where it is produced.
One factory alone has an annual output of two to three thousand metric tons (2000-3000 mt). And the quality level? "Our factory's tung oil has low fatty acid content with a light (thin) color." Ok, that is not the most detailed information, but I have seen with my own eyes the tests done to qualify the exact fatty acid content, water content of the nuts, and the specifications for color. These regional producers can be specific, they just did not do so in the general information.
They go on: "It is the highest quality raw material for a variety of industries: electronics, printing ink, insulation materials (electronic insulators), and paint, laquer, and varnish products. We sell not only to Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Tianjin, but also to international customers in Korea, Japan, Europe, and others."
Well, negotiations with these European customers could be pretty tricky. Most likely, those are sales conducted through online co-op sites. They, like most producers here, would have a hard time discussing anything in English. And as for the domestic buyers, I would wager those are just middle men who then export the tung oil themselves.
A lot of good resources are out there in the less developed regions of China. These companies just need some better marketing of their goods and some help in communication once those relationships are established.
We are interested to sell and promote your tung oil material in the Philippine market. We would appreciate very much to receive your prompt reply to our interest.
Thanks and awaiting for your prompt reply.
Posted by: Gonzalo E. Alejandrino, Jr | 10 Apr 2007 at 15:18
We are more than happy to do what we can to help develop the tung oil trade between China and the Philippines. In addition to your comments here, we also received your e-mail through the contact page, and you will most certainly receive an e-mail from us immediately with the information you requested.
Posted by: Cooper Strange | 13 Apr 2007 at 10:21
We would like to find tung oil supply for use by our factory in southern China to finish bamboo and wooden products. So far we have had no success. Is there a company you can recommend for purchase of tung oil for use within China?
Best regards, Dave
Posted by: Dave Hoots | 2 Jul 2007 at 23:34
Sounds a little funny actually, to have a foreigner asking another foreigner how to find a Chinese origin product for a Chinese factory. We would be happy to help (and I will e-mail you), but more than likely, anybody in your Chinese factory could find tung oil quite easily.
Our specialty is not to do business better than the Chinese already are, but rather to fill the void when cross-cultural business has unique commuication needs.
Posted by: Cooper Strange | 9 Jul 2007 at 11:01