Meeting, and preferably exceeding, international food safety regulations is non-negotiable for high-volume palm trading. This November, our R&D focus was driven by the imperative to minimize, and where possible eliminate, challenging process contaminants, specifically 3-MCPD Esters (3-MCPDE) and Glycidyl Esters (GE), which are strictly regulated by bodies such as the European Union (EU). We firmly believe that quality assurance is not merely a cost center but a long-term investment that safeguards our brand and client trust.

Strategic Investment in Purity: Refining the Refining Process

Our strategic R&D investment of $1.5 Million this month was directed towards upgrading the final purification stage, targeting the precursors of these contaminants. The core innovation involved a targeted modification of the deodorization process itself. The team successfully reduced the highest processing temperature from 250°C to a maximum of 235°C. This seemingly modest temperature reduction delivered substantial results: not only did it yield an estimated 12% energy saving per ton, but it also drastically limited the thermal formation of contaminants. Quality in palm products is about minimizing risk across the entire supply chain, and that’s why global oleochemical providers understand the importance of "delivering assurance in every shipment."

Achieving and Maintaining the Safety Buffer

The validated data from the November trials demonstrates that the resulting RBD Palm Olein easily secures a "safety buffer" beneath EU thresholds. Our final product achieved a GE Content of 0.8 ppm, which is safely below the EU limit of 1.0 ppm, and a 3-MCPDE Content of 1.9 ppm, well under the 2.5 ppm maximum (Source 3). This robust outcome is also correlated with upstream efficiency. Analysis highlighted that CPO with a lower initial Free Fatty Acid (FFA) content of 0.9% (vs. 2.0% average) led to a 35% lower GE formation in the final Olein after processing (Source 2). This holistic R&D approach ensures our Olein not only complies with current rules but is future-proofed against tighter regulations, maintaining our competitive edge in discerning global markets.

Sources:

  1. Source: Palm Oil Compliance Tag - Oleochemicals Derivatives by Tradeasia
    https://www.oleochemicalsasia.com/market-insights/tag/palm-oil-compliance 

  2. Source: Mitigation of 3-MCPDE and GE in palm oil in Indonesia – ResearchGate
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375136760_Mitigation_of_3-MCPDE_and_GE_in_palm_oil_in_Indonesia 

  3. Source: Frequently Asked Questions about 3-MCPD and GE – Golden Agri-Resourceshttps://goldenagri.com.sg/?smd_process_download=1&download_id=62957