2026 Edible Oils Refining: Basic Principles and Modern Practices Short Course

2026 Edible Oils Refining: Short Course Description

This in-person, two-day short course offers a clear, structured foundation in modern refining, connecting essential unit operations with the performance, quality, and economic considerations that drive today’s edible oils and biofuel sectors. Designed for professionals across research, engineering, quality assurance, commercial teams, and organizational leadership, the program emphasizes practical understanding of refining workflows and the variables influencing product consistency, efficiency, and compliance.

New for 2026:

In 2026, this short course will welcome Gil Wang, Director of R&D at Bunge, whose expertise in contaminant mitigation and product development adds depth to the program’s focus on innovation, analytical rigor, and processing challenges. His perspective strengthens the course’s relevance for R&D scientists, QA specialists, technical engineers, and leaders overseeing product performance or operational risk.

This year also features an expanded module on Palm Oil processing, a timely addition given the course’s location in New Orleans—one of the U.S. Gulf Coast’s key import hubs for palm and other tropical oils, and a region central to the rapid growth of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production.

Attendees will gain context around how crude palm oil behaves differently from other feedstocks, how refining pathways adjust for palm-specific impurities, and how these considerations intersect with downstream fuel manufacturing requirements.

Across two days, the curriculum covers the complete refining sequence—from seed preparation and extraction through degumming, neutralization, bleaching, deodorization, modification, and quality assessment—while tying each step to real-world decision-making. The inclusion of updated content on bio- and renewable diesel processing ensures participants leave with a comprehensive understanding of the technical, regulatory, and operational factors shaping today’s oil and fuel markets.

Whether you work in research, sales, engineering, quality, scientific roles, or executive leadership, this course equips you with a deeper, more integrated understanding of refining principles and their implications for product specifications, process optimization, innovation pipelines, and strategic planning.

2026 Instructors

Brent German 
Brent German has over 25 years of experience in engineering and process management within the fields of fats, oils, biofuels, and cellulosic sugars. His global expertise spans numerous countries, where he has contributed to optimizing processes such as chemical and physical refining, bleaching, and deodorization. With a deep understanding of refining workflows and operational parameters, Brent brings practical insights to help learners master refining techniques and process optimization. 

Alan Paine 
Alan Paine is an accomplished chemical engineer with extensive experience in vegetable oil refining. Over a 36-year career, he has developed expertise in refining processes such as degumming, fractionation, and neutralization. With a focus on practical applications, Alan’s teaching emphasizes refining process improvements and operational efficiency, empowering participants with strategies to optimize plant performance. 

Joanna Wawrzynczyk 
Joanna Wawrzynczyk has spent over two decades developing enzymatic processes for various industries. She is currently a science manager at an international company researching biotechnological solutions for vegetable oils refining. Prior to joining the industry, she was a professor in pure and applied biochemistry at Lund Technical University in Sweden. Joanna’s instruction combines technical detail with practical applications, helping learners grasp the science behind oil refining and process improvement. 

Bryan Yeh 
Bryan Yeh brings over 35 years of experience spanning agribusiness, biofuels, and renewable energy. His expertise includes cold pressing, hydrogenation, and sustainable aviation fuel production, with a focus on integrating innovative techniques into refining practices. Bryan’s teaching provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of emerging technologies and their role in refining and sustainable production.

Gil Wang
Gil Wang received his education from Iowa State University. He is a specialist in edible oil refining and processing, with deep expertise in contaminant mitigation and product development. Over the past 20 years, he has led innovation across the industry, driving advancements in oil quality, safety, and functionality. His work bridges technical excellence with practical application, making him a trusted leader in the field.