What Is Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD)? Composition, Production, and Uses
- Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) is a by-product of crude palm oil (CPO) deodorization in physical refining, with free fatty acid content of 82–95%.[1]
- PFAD is produced at 4–6% of CPO volume, equivalent to about 1.86 million tonnes per year in Indonesia.[1]
- Its fatty acid composition is dominated by palmitic acid 46.8%, oleic acid 35.3%, and linoleic acid 10.9%, with about 87% saturated fatty acids.[1][2]
- High FFA content makes PFAD a low-cost biodiesel feedstock, because a two-stage esterification process can reduce FFA to below 2%.[2][3]
- It is used for biodiesel, soap and oleochemicals, feed ingredients, and as magnesium stearate feedstock after hydrogenation.[1][2]
PFAD is a palm oil refining by-product with very high free fatty acid content. Its large supply and low price make it an important feedstock for biodiesel and oleochemical industries.
Table of contents
What Is Palm Fatty Acid Distillate?
Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) is a by-product formed when crude palm oil (CPO) undergoes deodorization in physical refining. At this stage, free fatty acids and volatile compounds are distilled from the oil.[1]
PFAD contains very high free fatty acids, 82–95% by weight, with production yield of about 4–6% of CPO. In Indonesia, production reaches about 1.86 million tonnes per year, so supply is abundant.[1]
Although readily available, PFAD utilization in Indonesia is still limited and much is exported in raw form. PFAD availability in Indonesia is considered sufficient for biodiesel feedstock, and some studies have also tested biodiesel profiles from it.[1][4][5]
Composition
PFAD composition is dominated by saturated fatty acids, mainly palmitic acid, followed by stearic and oleic acids. Besides free fatty acids, PFAD contains residual monoacylglyceride, triglyceride, sterols, squalene, and vitamin E. Gas chromatography analysis of PFAD samples shows total free fatty acids 99.85% mol, with 88.35% mol saturated fatty acids.[1][2][4]
| Component | Content |
|---|---|
| Total free fatty acids | 82–95% |
| Palmitic acid (C16:0) | 46.8% |
| Oleic acid (C18:1) | 35.3% |
| Linoleic acid (C18:2) | 10.9% |
| Stearic acid (C18:0) | 3.9% |
| Myristic acid (C14:0) | 2.3% |
| Saturated fatty acids | ±87% |
| Monoacylglyceride (MAG) | ±4.2% |
Biodiesel Production
PFAD can be converted to biodiesel in two stages. The first stage is esterification with sulfuric acid catalyst at methanol:PFAD molar ratio 2:1, with 1.5% catalyst, reacted 90 minutes at 65 °C.[2][3]
The second stage continues with 0.5% sodium hydroxide catalyst at 65 °C for 90 minutes. Residual FFA can be reduced below 2% after the first stage, so the biodiesel produced meets European standard EN 14214:2008.[2][3]
Because PFAD has high FFA, biodiesel plants need extra facilities compared with low-FFA feedstocks. The MPOB-developed process is simple and gives good reaction yield.[3]
Uses
PFAD is used as biodiesel feedstock because of its low price and because its use does not compete with food demand. PFAD availability in Indonesia is considered sufficient for biodiesel feedstock supply.[2]
In soap and oleochemicals, PFAD is feedstock for fatty acid and derivative production. PFAD is also used as a nutritional ingredient in feed industry because of its fatty acid content.[1]
PFAD can also be hydrogenated to raise stearic acid content to meet commercial stearic acid specifications requiring minimum 40% stearic acid and 90% total stearic and palmitic acids. The result is used as magnesium stearate feedstock as solid lubricant or anti-stick agent in pharmaceutical and confectionery products.[1]
Summary
Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) is a CPO deodorization by-product with FFA 82–95% and yield 4–6% of CPO. Its composition is dominated by palmitic acid 46.8% and oleic acid 35.3%. PFAD is used as two-stage biodiesel feedstock meeting EN 14214, oleochemical feedstock, feed ingredient, and as magnesium stearate feedstock after hydrogenation.
References
- JETs ITB. Hydrogenated Palm Fatty Acid Distillate as Raw Materials for Magnesium Stearate Alternatives. https://journals.itb.ac.id/index.php/jets/article/download/11878/5232
- MPOB. Production Technology of Biodiesel from Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD) using Mild Acid Catalyst. https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/production-technology-of-biodiesel-from-palm-fatty-acid-distillate-using-mild-acid-catalyst/
- MPOB Information Series. TT No. 430 — Production Technology of Biodiesel from Palm Fatty Acid Distillate. https://tot.mpob.gov.my/files/2020/02/TT-430.pdf
- IOP Conference Series. Biodiesel from Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD) and its nature of application. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/830/2/022023/pdf
- Scientific Reports. A non-conventional biodiesel process route from waste palm fatty acid distillate. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-41785-9