Palm Oil Production

Abstract

Palm oil is a constituent of the fruit-pulp of oil palms and is used in the manufacture of soap, candles, and for colouring and scenting ointments. Bleached or slightly hardened it serves also as raw material for the production of margarine and baking fat. The palm oil is produced by extraction from the reddish-to-orange pulp of the ovoid shaped fruits which grow on stalks in fresh fruit bunches (FFB) on the oil palms. Pure oil and kernel are the main final products besides minor quantities of solids which are used for animal feed and fertilizers. Shell and dry fibres are used within the palm oil processing line for fuelling the steam boiler. An approximate quantification of the different components is shown in the typical fruit and production composition chart.