Palm Oil — SteemCN

Palm oil is one of the world's major commodities. It is used in a variety of industries, from food to cosmetics and fuel. The process of making palm oil involves a series of complex stages that require sophisticated technology, labor, and good management. The initial stage in palm oil production is the cultivation of oil palm trees (Elaeis guineensis). There are several important steps in the initial phase of palm oil production, namely the cultivation of oil palm trees (Elaeis guineensis), including:

Seedling Planting
Superior seedlings are selected to produce high-quality fresh fruit bunches. Oil palm plants usually begin to bear fruit after 3-4 years of planting.
Plant Maintenance
Maintenance includes fertilizing, irrigation, and controlling pests and diseases.
Harvesting fresh fruit bunches
Fresh fruit bunches are harvested when they are optimally ripe, indicated by the falling of the palm fruit from the bunch. Harvesting is done using tools such as dodos or egrek.

The time of harvest is very important because the level of fruit ripeness affects the quality of the oil produced. After harvest, fresh fruit bunches must be transported immediately to the palm oil mill. Delays in transport can cause fruit fermentation, which can reduce the quality of the oil. This process is carried out by large trucks equipped with special handling systems to prevent mechanical damage to the fruit.

Upon arrival at the factory, the fresh fruit bunches are put into a sterilizer. This process involves the use of high-pressure steam to:

Kill microorganisms that can damage the fruit.
Stop the activity of the lipase enzyme which can reduce free fatty acid (FFA) levels.
Soften the fruit to make it easier to release the fruit flesh from the seeds.

Sterilization is usually carried out at a temperature of 140–150°C for 60–90 minutes. After sterilization, the fresh fruit bunches are put into a thresher to separate the fruit from the bunch. The remaining empty bunches are usually used as boiler fuel or returned to the plantation as organic fertilizer.

Then, the separated palm fruit is put into a pressing machine. This process involves:

Fruit Crushing: The fruit flesh is crushed to release the oil.
Pressing: The crushed fruit is then squeezed using a screw press machine. Crude oil (CPO) is extracted at this stage, along with fiber and water.

The pressing results in a mixture of crude oil, water, and solids. The mixture resulting from the pressing then goes through a clarification stage. This process involves:

Oil and Water Separation: The mixture is heated to separate the oil from the water and solids.
Settling: Water and heavier impurities are allowed to settle at the bottom of the tank, while the oil is at the top.
Filtering: The resulting oil is filtered to remove any remaining solid particles.

The end result is crude palm oil (CPO) which is not yet completely pure.

In addition to oil from the fruit flesh, the palm kernel is also processed to produce palm kernel oil. This process includes:

Seed Cracking: Palm kernels are separated from their shells using a cracker machine.
Kernel Oil Extraction: Clean palm kernels are then squeezed to obtain palm kernel oil.

Palm kernel oil has different characteristics compared to ordinary palm oil and is often used in the cosmetics industry and non-food products.

The crude oil (CPO) that has been produced must go through a refining process to remove dirt, odor, color, and other unwanted substances. This process includes:

Degumming: Removal of substances such as phosphatides with the help of water or acid.
Bleaching: Removal of color using bleaching earth.
Deodorizing: Removal of odor by heating and vacuuming.

The result of this stage is pure palm oil that is ready to be used or processed further. Refined palm oil is packaged in various forms, such as jerry cans, drums, or large tanks, depending on market needs. This oil is then distributed to the food, cosmetic, biodiesel, and other industries.

The palm oil manufacturing process produces waste such as:

Empty Fruit Bunches: Used as organic fertilizer or boiler fuel.
Wastewater (POME): Treated in an effluent treatment plant to reduce environmental impact.
Shells and Fibers: Used as fuel to generate energy in the mill.

Good waste management is essential to maintaining the sustainability of the palm oil industry.

Palm oil production also faces various challenges along the way, including:

Environmental Impact: Land clearing for plantations is often criticized for causing deforestation and habitat loss.
Market Pressure: Demand for sustainable products drives the industry to adopt certification standards such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).
Production Efficiency: New technologies are continually being developed to increase yields and mill efficiency.

The palm oil manufacturing process is a combination of technology, labor, and good environmental management. Despite the challenges, innovations in technology and sustainability practices provide hope for a more environmentally friendly and efficient future for the industry. With proper management, palm oil remains a strategic commodity that supports various industrial sectors.

Palm oil plantations are often associated with environmental damage and long-term soil degradation. This is one of the main issues widely discussed by environmental activists, scientists, and the wider community. Here is a more detailed explanation of these impacts:

Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss

Land expansion for palm oil plantations is often carried out by clearing tropical forests, which results in:

Loss of Wildlife Habitat: Animals such as orangutans, tigers, and elephants often lose their natural habitats, so that their populations are threatened with extinction.
Reduction in Biodiversity: Tropical forests rich in flora and fauna are replaced by monoculture palm oil plantations, which lack diversity.

Soil Erosion

Oil oil plants, although they have strong roots, are not able to withstand soil erosion as well as natural forests. Deforestation and land clearing exacerbate this problem. As a result:

Decreased Soil Fertility: The fertile topsoil is often washed away by rainwater, making the soil poor in nutrients.
River Sedimentation: Soil erosion can cause sediment to build up in rivers, disrupting freshwater ecosystems and human activities such as irrigation and fishing.

Long-Term Soil Degradation

Oil palm plantations are monocultures, which can drain certain nutrients from the soil without giving it time to recover, which can eventually lead to:

Soil Loss: Over decades, soil loses its ability to support agriculture or other crops.
Fertilizer Dependence: To maintain productivity, farmers often overuse chemical fertilizers, which can damage soil structure.

Pesticide and Herbicide Use

Oil palm farming practices often involve the use of large amounts of pesticides and herbicides, which have negative environmental impacts:

Water and Soil Pollution: These chemicals can leach into the soil or be carried by rainwater into rivers and lakes, contaminating aquatic ecosystems.
Decreased Soil Microorganisms: Microorganisms that are essential for maintaining soil fertility can die from exposure to toxic chemicals.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The process of land clearing, especially by burning, produces greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). Some of the impacts are:

Global Warming: Emissions from burning peatlands and forests contribute to climate change.
Haze: Forest fires often cause haze that is harmful to human health and the environment.

Improper Waste Management

Palm oil processing in factories produces liquid waste known as Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME). If not managed properly, this waste can pollute:

Water Sources: POME waste that is discharged directly into rivers can cause eutrophication, which is an explosion of algae growth that is detrimental to aquatic ecosystems.
Surrounding Land: Liquid waste that seeps into the soil can change the chemical composition of the soil, making it no longer suitable for other plants.

Social and Economic Impacts

In addition to environmental impacts, unsustainable palm oil plantation practices also trigger:

Land Conflicts: Land clearing often involves the seizure of land from indigenous peoples or local farmers.
Economic Dependence: Many regions have become overly dependent on palm oil, making them vulnerable to fluctuations in global market prices.

Despite the challenges, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the negative impacts of oil palm plantations:

Use of Sustainable Certification: Adopt standards such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) to ensure environmentally friendly practices.
Crop Diversification: Combine oil palm with other crops to maintain soil fertility and biodiversity.
Land Rehabilitation: Restore ecosystem functions on degraded lands.
Law Enforcement: Ensure that land clearing is done legally and does not involve burning forests.
Farmer Education: Provide training to farmers to manage land and waste in a sustainable manner.

Oil palm plantations do make a significant contribution to the economy, but their negative impacts on the environment and soil quality cannot be ignored. By adopting more sustainable practices, the industry can continue to thrive without damaging the environment. This requires collaboration between governments, industry, and the global community to achieve a balance between economic needs and environmental conservation.