What is CPKO (Crude Palm Kernel Oil)?
CPKO (Crude Palm Kernel Oil) is the crude oil obtained from the extraction of the kernel of the oil palm fruit the seed part located inside the fruit’s hard shell. CPKO is the crude/unrefined form of PKO (Palm Kernel Oil) both come from the same source (the kernel), but CPKO has not yet undergone further refining.
The Difference Between CPKO and CPO
The fundamental difference between CPKO and CPO (Crude Palm Oil) lies in their extraction source: CPO comes from the mesocarp or flesh of the oil palm fruit, whereas CPKO comes from the kernel inside the palm seed. This difference in source makes their characteristics far apart:
- Color CPKO is light yellow to clear, unlike CPO, which is deep red-orange.
- Fatty acid composition CPKO contains about 80% saturated and 20% unsaturated fatty acids, with a high lauric acid content similar to coconut oil. In contrast, CPO has a more balanced composition, around 50% saturated and 50% unsaturated.
- Industrial applications because of its high lauric acid content, CPKO is used more in non-food industries: soap, detergent, shampoo, cosmetics, and lotion, whereas CPO is used more in food (cooking oil, margarine).
CPKO Production Process
National palm kernel production shows significant figures, with an average yield ranging from 46% of the total weight of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) processed by mills.4 The production process goes through several stages:4 5
- After CPO is extracted from the fruit flesh, the remaining palm seeds are separated from the fiber and their shells.
- The seeds pass through a Nut Grading machine for size sorting, before being cracked using a Ripple Mill so that the palm kernels are completely separated from their protective shells.
- The mixture of kernels and shells is separated using both dry and wet methods; the cleaned kernels are then dried again in a Kernel Dryer for about 14 hours at controlled temperatures (6070C).
- The dried palm kernels enter a Screw Press machine for mechanical pressing (usually twice) to produce the crude oil (CPKO) as well as a residue known as Palm Kernel Meal (PKM), or palm kernel cake used as high-quality animal feed.
- The crude oil produced is filtered to separate the clean oil from the residue, before being stored in storage tanks as CPKO.
From CPKO to PKO
The CPKO produced can then be further processed through the Refining, Bleaching, Deodorizing (RBD) stages to remove free fatty acids, color, and odor producing a purer end product, namely PKO.5 In other words, CPKO is the intermediate feedstock before becoming PKO, which is ready for use in various industrial applications.
Uses of CPKO
CPKO is generally processed into everyday products, such as:
- Oleochemicals and cosmetics soap, detergent, shampoo, lotion
- Food industry after further processing, it can be used in limited applications
- Biodiesel as one of the alternative feedstocks
Relevance to the Indonesian Palm Oil Industry
As the intermediate feedstock before PKO, CPKO is a strategic commodity in Indonesia’s downstream palm oil value chain, particularly in supporting the growing domestic oleochemical industry. Its production volume, which follows the national palm kernel yield (46% of total FFB), makes it one of the high economic value by-products of the CPO processing chain.
References
Tiger Water Solutions, “CPKO is – Definition, Differences from CPO, Waste Characteristics and How to Manage It”, https://www.tigerwatersolutions.id/cpko-adalah-pengertian-perbedaan-dengan-cpo-karakteristik-limbah-dan-cara-pengelolaannya/
Haisawit, “What is CPKO? Here Are the Main Differences Between Palm Kernel Oil and Regular CPO”, https://haisawit.co.id/news/detail/apa-itu-cpko-inilah-perbedaan-utama-minyak-inti-sawit-dengan-cpo-biasa
Tiger Water Solutions, “CPKO is – Definition, Differences from CPO, Waste Characteristics and How to Manage It”, https://www.tigerwatersolutions.id/cpko-adalah-pengertian-perbedaan-dengan-cpo-karakteristik-limbah-dan-cara-pengelolaannya/
4 Haisawit, “What is CPKO? Here Are the Main Differences Between Palm Kernel Oil and Regular CPO”, https://haisawit.co.id/news/detail/apa-itu-cpko-inilah-perbedaan-utama-minyak-inti-sawit-dengan-cpo-biasa
5 ICDX, “PKO (Palm Kernel Oil): Definition, Uses, and Production Process”, https://www.icdx.co.id/news-detail/publication/pko-palm-kernel-oil-pengertian-kegunaan-dan-proses-produksinya