At the Refinery – by Laura White:

For Palm Done Right Month, the PDR team visited our refinery in Manta.  We met up with the Manager there, and he explained that the Palm Done Right Refinery is zero waste.

Since 2019 the refinery has used Biomass (organic matter in the form of Palm Kernel Shells) as fuel for the generation of electricity. 90 MT of PKO Shells and pellets are used to produce 12,000 tons of Steam that generates energy at the refinery. This is particularly amazing when you think back to before 2019 when 1000 gallons of Diesel was used to do the same thing, this so much better.

This integration offers numerous benefits:

1. Byproduct Optimization: Unused biomass from palm oil extraction now serves a valuable purpose, reducing waste and maximizing resource efficiency.

2. Climate Mitigation: Biomass energy, unlike diesel, doesn’t contribute to climate change. Using Biomass reduces our carbon footprint, aligning with global climate goals.

3. Forest Management: Utilizing biomass contributes to forest cleaning by managing agricultural residues. This promotes sustainable land management practices and biodiversity preservation.

Our factories commitment to sustainability through biomass integration underscores the importance of innovation and collaboration in the palm oil industry. With initiatives like using biomass for electricity, we can pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future for palm oil production and beyond.