The total planted area for oil palm in Malaysia decreased by 2.18% to 5 737 million hectares in 2021. Sarawak remained as the largest oil palm planted state with 1.6 million hectares or 28% of the total oil palm planted area in Malaysia. The production of crude palm oil (CPO) recorded a decline by 5.35% to 18.12 million tonnes.
How much money is invested in oleochemical industry in Malaysia?
Investments in the oleochemical industry also exceed RM 7 billion. The oleochemical industry in Malaysia is nearly totally dependent on indigenous raw materials, i.e. palm oil and its derivatives, and palm kernel oil as the feedstocks for the various basic oleochemical products.
When did oleochemical industry start in Malaysia?
The rapid production growth of palm oil and palm kernel oil in the 1980s spurred the oleochemical industry in Malaysia, including other ASEAN countries i.e. Indonesia and Thailand. The first oleochemical plant in Malaysia was built in Prai, Penang by Palmco Holdings Berhad (now IOI Oleochemical Industries Berhad) in 1980.
Which raw materials are used in the production of basic oleochemicals in Malaysia?
The main raw materials used in the manufacture of basic oleochemicals in Malaysia are crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) and palm stearin (POS). The table below shows the usage of the main raw materials in the production of basic oleochemicals by MOMG members: 3. Oleochemical Exports