From planting and harvesting fresh fruit bunches to milling, steaming, and refining, the palm oil production process transforms raw fruits into valuable oils used worldwide.
Oil palm cultivation transforms harvested fresh fruit bunches into valuable oils. The following processes efficiently extract crude palm oil and palm kernel oil for various uses in food and non-food products.
Oil palms start producing fruit about three years after planting and have a commercial life of around 25 years, with a biological life of at least 60 years.
The fruit grows in tight bunches called fresh fruit bunches (FFB), which are harvested manually throughout the year.
Crude palm oil is extracted from the fleshy mesocarp of the fruit, while palm kernel oil is derived from the kernel inside the nut of the fruit.
The mills steam and press the fruit, then clarify the crude palm oil (CPO). Mill capacities are measured by the weight of FFB processed per hour.
The crude oil is refined and fractionated at outside refineries. The kernels are crushed either on-site or externally to produce palm kernel oil and palm kernel meal.
Sustainable palm oil is critically important in the global society because it helps address the environmental, social, and economic challenges associated with conventional palm oil cultivation. Unsustainable practices such as deforestation, excessive fertiliser use, pesticide runoff, and monocropping severely damage ecosystems and biodiversity, while also contributing to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions. By adhering to sustainability standards and certification schemes like RSPO and MSPO, producers are able to implement environmentally friendly practices, promote land conservation, and reduce carbon footprints. This ensures the preservation of vital habitats, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience, which are essential for maintaining planetary health.
Additionally, sustainable palm oil enhances social responsibility by promoting fair labor practices and protecting the rights of workers and indigenous communities. Certification schemes verify compliance with humane working conditions and equitable land use, fostering social inclusion and reducing inequalities. Economically, certified sustainable palm oil creates opportunities for market access in regions such as Europe and North America, where sustainability credentials are increasingly demanded. Sustainable palm oil is also important as it supports rural livelihoods through employment, especially for smallholders, therefore contributing to food security and poverty alleviation both in Malaysia and globally.
Our Group maintains a strong belief in the long term potential of palm oil. With its economic production advantages compared to alternative oils and its status as the most productive source of vegetable oil, palm oil continues to play a vital role in meeting the demands of a growing global population.
