A Perspective of Oil Palm and Its Wastes

Palm oil and related products represent the second largest export of Malaysia. Malaysia's palm oil production in 2005 is projected to reach approximately 15 million tonnes (301,000 barrels per day) compared to its petroleum production in 2004, estimated at 43 million tonnes (855,000 barrels per day), of which 16 million tonnes (321,000 barrels per day) were exported. This paper describes the planting of oil palms, the production of oil palm products and yields of fresh fruit bunches (FFB), crude palm oil and palm kernel from 1976 to 2006. The utilisation of oil palm waste is also discussed with its potential use as fertiliser, fuel and bio-oil.