Can an Oil Palm Tree Be Used 100%? Here is the Zero Waste Journey!

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Posted: Aug 19, 2026 • 2 minute read • SMART • 16 Likes

Key Takeaways

Oil palms are more than just a source of cooking oil — nearly every part of the fruit and tree can be reused.
Materials such as Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB), fibre, shells, Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), and leaves are transformed into fertiliser, bioenergy, animal feed, and other useful products.
Through a zero-waste approach, palm oil production can reduce waste, create additional value, and support a more sustainable agricultural system.

You probably use products made from palm oil every day. But how well do you really know where it comes from? Which part becomes the oil? What happens to the fruit, or even the tree once the fruit is harvested?

Do you think only the oil has value? Explore the many parts of oil palms and discover how zero waste gives every part, from the fruit to the tree, a valuable second life.

Every part of the palm oil tree, from its fruit to its leaves, has a purpose. By unlocking the value in every part, we can reduce waste, create new possibilities, and build a more sustainable future.

Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB)

Oil Palm Trees

Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME)

Did you know?

Zero waste is about making the most of every resource — from renewable energy and organic fertiliser to animal feed and other useful products. These results in a more sustainable and efficient farming system that benefits both people and the environment.

Take a closer look on how we ensure zero-waste is also applied in our production phase here!

Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) are harvested at optimum ripeness, when loose fruits begin to detach naturally. To preserve Crude Palm Oil (CPO) quality, the fruit must be processed within 24 hours, as bruising during harvesting and transport can increase Free Fatty Acid (FFA) levels, reducing both oil yield and quality. The sooner the fruit is processed, the less FFA develops, helping preserve both the yield and quality of the crude palm oil.

Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB)

Once the palm fruits have been separated from the bunch, what remains is known as the Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB). Rich in cellulose and lignin, EFB is a renewable resource with wide potential across bioenergy, agriculture, and manufacturing. At plantations, it is commonly composted or applied as mulch to enrich the soil, improve moisture retention, and support healthier crop growth.

Oil palm fruit’s flesh

The mesocarp or fruit’s flesh from FFB is pressed to produce Crude Palm Oil (CPO), while the kernel at the centre of the fruit is processed into Palm Kernel Oil (PKO). Together, these two oils are used in a wide range of everyday products, from cooking oil to soaps and detergents.

Fibre

Fibre is the fibrous pulp left behind after Crude Palm Oil (CPO) is extracted from the mesocarp, making up about 14-15% of the fruit’s weight. Rather than being discarded, it is commonly reused as biomass fuel to help generate steam and power mill operations.

Palm Kernel Oil (PKO)

At the centre of the fruit lies the palm kernel. Palm Kernel Oil (PKO) comes from kernels that are pressed using a screw press, leaving behind Palm Kernel Expeller (PKE).

Palm Kernel Expeller (PKE)

Palm Kernel Expeller (PKE) comes in the form of brown to reddish-brown granules or chunks. With its combination of protein, residual oil and fibre, PKE is widely used as a feed ingredient for livestock, particularly ruminants such as cattle, goats and sheep.

Palm Kernel Shell (PKS)

The shell, also known as Palm Kernel Shell (PKS), is the hard outer layer that protects the kernel and typically accounts for around 6–7% of the fruit’s weight.

Rather than being discarded after the milling process, it is collected and reused as boiler fuel to help generate steam and power mill operations.