Oil palm fibre refers to lignocellulosic fibres extracted from various parts of the oil palm tree, including the trunk, frond, fruit mesocarp, and, most commonly, the empty fruit bunch (EFB).
These fibres are a byproduct of the palm oil extraction process, specifically after the fruits are removed from the fresh fruit bunches (FFB) that have undergone sterilization, typically involving steam treatment at 294 kPa for 1 hour. The remaining fibrous mass is the EFB, a primary source of oil palm fibre.
Here's a breakdown:
- Source: Oil palm tree ( Elaeis guineensis)
- Main components: Lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose (lignocellulosic material).
- Primary source: Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) - what's left after fruit removal from the sterilized FFB.
- Other sources: Trunk, fronds, and mesocarp of the fruit.
- Processing: Sterilization of FFB (typically steam treated) precedes fibre extraction.
Oil palm fibre is increasingly used in various applications due to its abundance and potential as a renewable resource. These applications include:
- Biofuel production: As a source of biomass for energy.
- Pulp and paper industry: As an alternative to wood pulp.
- Composite materials: As reinforcement in plastics and other materials.
- Mulch and soil amendment: In agriculture and horticulture.
- Animal feed: After appropriate treatment and processing.
The composition and properties of oil palm fibre can vary depending on the source within the tree and the extraction and processing methods employed.
