The bioeconomy at work: renewable products from palm empty fruit bunches

Palm oil may have a bad reputation for the role it plays in tropical deforestation, but is definitely here to stay, as the industry is highly profitable and offers a ready replacement for petroleum products, prices of which will keep rising. However, in order to limit the expansion of plantations, it is crucial to get the most out of each hectare of the plantations that already exist. One way to do so is by recuperating the vast waste-streams that result from the processing of palm fruits. If these waste streams can be turned into value-added products, the pace of the expansion of new plantations may be somewhat slowed down.

For each tonne of crude palm oil (CPO) produced from fresh fruit bunches, the following 'waste' products become available: around 6 tonnes of waste palm fronds, 1 ton of palm trunks (after a life-cycle of 25 years per tree, and at 150 trees per hectare), 5 tons of empty fruit bunches (EFB, photo), 1 ton of press fiber (from the mesocarp of the fruit), half a ton of palm kernel endocarp, 250kg of palm kernel press cake, and 100 tonnes of palm oil mill effluent (POME). In short, a palm oil plantation yields a vast stream of biomass that is currently not used in a productive way (earlier post). Often, it is burned in the open air, or left to settle in ponds where the degrading biomass emits methane.

Over the past few years, many research efforts have been undertaken to make use of these waste products. Some of those look at utilizing the biomass as an energy source for green electricity and power (to power palm oil mills) or as a feedstock for the production of second-generation biofuels. Others have shown that a whole range of bio-based products can be made from the residues - products such as renewable and biodegradable plastics, packaging, paper and specialty products such as geo-textiles.


Here are some of the actual products.

ECOMAT®

	ECOMAT® is a type of mulch mat made from natural fibre for soil protection and erosion control. The major raw material used in producing ECOMAT® is palm fibres derived from empty fruit bunches (palm biomass) and it is eco-friendly material. From the invention of Ecofibrex, a fibre shredder machine, EFB are then shredded into fibres. These palm fibres are raw materials for products such as mulching, pulp and paper, packaging material, fibreboard, flowerpot, etc. With this breakthrough technology, air and soil pollution be eliminated, chopping of trees be reduced thus preserving and creating a green and clean environment.
	Mulching Mulching is a method for soil conditioning. It helps with moisture retention in the soil, thereby enhancing its quality for healthier plant growth particularly in hot countries with long periods of dry weather. In addition, it retards growth of undesirable weeds, detrimental to plants. Traditionally, various materials have been utilized for mulching. These include empty fruit bunches (EFB) from oil palm, wood chippings, plastic mats etc.
	ECOMAT® Mulching ECOMAT® is made from oil palm fibres. The nature of it allows for free flow of water through to the ground whilst also acting as a protective layer. Uses ECOMAT® is suitable for various plants including oil palm, rubber, durian and other fruit trees. Why should we consider using ECOMAT®? Essentially, ECOMAT® enhances soil quality:
	What are the advantages of Ecomat® mulching? 1. Reduce labor cost, i.e. weeding and up keeping of plants; handling of EFB. 2. Reduction on fertilizers, i.e. more efficient utilization of fertilizer. Fertilizer concentration on mats and gradual release into soil improves optimal absorption for plants. Losses of fertilizer in the surrounding areas away from plants are minimized. 3. Reduction of transportation effort and cost as the mats are easy to handle, i.e. compact and lighter. 4. Reduction in chemical usage, e.g. weed - killers and insecticides for beetles, etc. 5. Health and safety of staff are not unnecessarily compromised as there is less need to handle weed - killers that can endanger their health and well - being. 6. Easier recovery of loose fruits on the mats.

EcoPak®

EcoPak® are made from natural oil palm fibres. Using the latest technology, machinery and human expertise, EcoPak® products were developed with the following distinctions: -

Natural Product Processed by organic means, EcoPak® products contain no harmful chemical additives and colorings and are toxic-free. Natural Fibre Color EcoPak® products possess contemporarily attractive natural fibre-color unseen in any other type of packaging materials, making it a pure and natural product that is easily accepted by the general public. Eco-friendly & Environmental Friendly EcoPak® products are biodegradable within a short period of time after disposal, turning it into natural soil-like fertilizer, unlike other substances like petroleum byproducts, it takes more than a decade to biodegrade and it is poisonous. Provides the Finest Qualities for Food Packaging EcoPak® products has been tested and proven to preserve freshness of foods, even after long hours of storage, making it the most ideal packaging material for all types of food. Suitable For All Types of Packaging EcoPak® technology enables the creation of light, strong and durable packaging materials suitable for all types of products ranging from fruits, electronic item and etc.