Palm oil is a vegetable oil widely used in food, cosmetics, and industrial applications. However, raw palm oil often contains impurities and unpleasant odors, necessitating a refining process to improve its quality. Palm oil refining is a complex process involving multiple steps designed to remove impurities, improve color and odor, and maintain nutritional value. The following are the main steps in palm oil refinery process:

(What is the difference between palm oil refining and other edible oil refining?)

1. Degumming

Degumming is the first step in palm oil refining, removing phospholipids and other gums from the oil. These substances can affect the oil’s stability and quality. This process is typically performed by heating water or using acid to agglomerate the phospholipids, which are then removed by centrifugation.

2. Deacidification

Deacidification removes free fatty acids (FFA) from palm oil. High levels of FFA can degrade the oil’s quality and affect its taste. Deacidification typically involves neutralization with alkali, which chemically reacts to form soap, which is then separated to remove the soap impurities.

3. Decolorization

Raw palm oil has a reddish or yellowish color, primarily due to the presence of natural pigments such as carotene. To meet market demand, decolorization is required during the refining process. Decolorization typically involves the use of activated clay or activated carbon to absorb the pigments, resulting in a brighter oil color.

4. Deodorization

Raw palm oil can have an unpleasant odor, primarily due to volatile compounds. Deodorization removes these volatile compounds through high-temperature steam distillation, resulting in a product with a lighter odor.

5. Cooling and Filtration

After refining, the palm oil is cooled to a suitable temperature and filtered to remove any remaining fine particles. This ensures the purity and clarity of the final product.

6. Packaging and Storage

After refining, the palm oil is packaged in sterile packaging to prevent oxidation and contamination. During storage, it must be kept cool and dry to maintain its quality.

Palm oil refinery process is a highly technical process that involves degumming, deacidification, decolorization, and deodorization to produce high-quality palm oil. This refined oil is not only suitable for food processing but is also widely used in cosmetics and industrial lubricants, providing a vital raw material for the global market.