Malaysian Palm Oil Research Articles

Malaysian palm oil price falls 10%, as Indonesia gains exports

Malaysian palm oil price falls 10%, as Indonesia gains exports

PRIORITIZING SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT OF FAILURE MODE AND EFFECT ANALYSIS IN THE PALM OIL MILL USING ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS

This paper presents an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) model for prioritizing multicriteria sustainability impact of Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA). It focuses on the Malaysian palm oil mills that have been widely criticized on various sustainability issues. The data collection for pair-wise comparison of decision judgement are taken from three experts of palm oil milling process and an additional expert from the academic background. The multi-criteria of each sustainability impacts (technical, economic, environmental, and social) are assessed for the weights of the occurrence, severity, and detection of the FMEA. The result of the study suggested that the degree of failure severity for social impact is considered as the highest priority for palm oil mills. This paper provides insights for management to improve organizations’ sustainability performance at the operational level by considering sustainability impact in analyzing failure mode and effect of equipment.

The Impact of Nontariff Trade Policy of European Union Crude Palm Oil Import on Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Rest of the World Economy: An Analysis in GTAP Framework

Indonesia and Malaysia are the largest producers and exporters of palm oil in the world vegetable oil market. Palm oil and its derivative products are the highest contributors to foreign exchange in 2018. This study aims to analyze the impact of the European Union import non-tariff trade policies on the Indonesian and Malaysian economies The analysis uses the Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model of world trade on the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) program. The results of this study found that the non-tariff import policy by the European Union had a negative impact on the economies of Indonesia and Malaysia. Moreover, the policy also has a negative impact on countries in Southeast Asia and the European Union. This shows that the enactment of non-tariff import trade policies for Indonesian and Malaysian palm oil products has a global impact.

ANALYSIS OF PRODUCT-SERVICE SOLUTION INVENTORY RECORD FOR MALAYSIAN PALM OIL ARGIBUSINESS

This thesis is aimed at analyzing the Product – Service System (PSS) inventory control for Palm Oil Plantation Company and developing one software application named as inventory record to help the management for managing the inventory control of the company. The thesis deals with the study of PSS and inventory control at Company A which is a Malaysian palm oil plantation company. The aims of this thesis are to describe and analyse how Product-Service Solution Inventory Record manages its oil palm agriculture industry to achieve long term competitive advantage. In order to achieve the aim, these following research objectives have been to investigate the record information in and out fertilizer and poison for using the company requirements and issues for palm oil agribusiness operations, to develop a generic model that incorporating all general principles of Product-Service Solution Inventory Record Palm Oil Industry lastly to develop a Product-Service Solution Inventory Record in Palm Oil Industry for implementation. The palm oil industry is one of the well-known industry in Malaysia that provide the most prominent contribution to Malaysia’s economy. Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB) is an agency that responds for providing technical support, advisory and consultancy services to all palm oil plantation company in Malaysia which is included as a part of PSS. PSS is a managing system that combining product and service in one system. PSS is essential to provide better environmental impact, improve competitiveness and to help the company satisfy the demand from customer. However, PSS could not be running smoothly when the inventory of product and service are managed in separate interface systems which is by using manual inventory control like Microsoft Excel and handwriting documentation. In order to make PSS inventory control easier, and systematic, an inventory application system is developed. This research is focusing on developing PSS inventory record for fertilizer and pesticide at the Company A. This record will using Microsoft Visual Basic 6 which could help in decision and calculation making for product and service of palm oil plantation.

Potential of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Resources in Nanocellulose Hydrogel Production for Versatile Applications: A Review.

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) is considered the cheapest natural fiber with good properties and exists abundantly in Malaysia. It has great potential as an alternative main raw material to substitute woody plants. On the other hand, the well-known polymeric hydrogel has gathered a lot of interest due to its three-dimensional (3D) cross-linked network with high porosity. However, some issues regarding its performance like poor interfacial connectivity and mechanical strength have been raised, hence nanocellulose has been introduced. In this review, the plantation of oil palm in Malaysia is discussed to show the potential of OPEFB as a nanocellulose material in hydrogel production. Nanocellulose can be categorized into three nano-structured celluloses, which differ in the processing method. The most popular nanocellulose hydrogel processing methods are included in this review. The 3D printing method is taking the lead in current hydrogel production due to its high complexity and the need for hygiene products. Some of the latest advanced applications are discussed to show the high commercialization potential of nanocellulose hydrogel products. The authors also considered the challenges and future direction of nanocellulose hydrogel. OPEFB has met the requirements of the marketplace and product value chains as nanocellulose raw materials in hydrogel applications.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN UNIVARIATE AND BIVARIATE TIME SERIES MODELS FOR CRUDE PALM OIL INDUSTRY IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

The main purpose of this study is to compare the performances of univariate and bivariate models on four time series variables of the crude palm oil industry in Peninsular Malaysia. The monthly data for the four variables, which are the crude palm oil production, price, import and export, were obtained from Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC). In the first part of this study, univariate time series models, namely, the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), fractionally integrated autoregressive moving average (ARFIMA) and autoregressive autoregressive (ARAR) algorithm were used for modelling and forecasting purposes. Subsequently, the dependence between any two of the four variables were checked using the residuals’ sample cross correlation functions before modelling the bivariate time series. In order to model the bivariate time series and make prediction, the transfer function models were used. The forecast accuracy criteria used to evaluate the performances of the models were the mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). The results of the univariate time series showed that the best model for predicting the production was ARIMA while the ARAR algorithm were the best forecast models for predicting both the import and export of crude palm oil. However, ARIMA appeared to be the best forecast model for price based on the MAE and MAPE values while ARFIMA emerged the best model based on the RMSE value. When considering bivariate time series models, the production was dependent on import while the export was dependent on either price or import. The results showed that the bivariate models had better performance compared to the univariate models for production and export of crude palm oil based on the forecast accuracy criteria used.

Phycoremediation of palm oil mill effluent (POME) and CO2 fixation by locally isolated microalgae: Chlorella sorokiniana UKM2, Coelastrella sp. UKM4 and Chlorella pyrenoidosa UKM7

The Malaysian palm oil industry generates large amount of palm oil mill effluent (POME) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Appropriate control of this industrial discharge through biological means is essential to achieve sustainable development. This study discloses the practical way of reducing pollutants in POME and fixing CO2 by using three locally isolated microalgae species: Chlorella sorokiniana UKM2, Coelastralla sp. UKM4 and Chlorella pyrenoidosa UKM7. The identification of the microalgal-assimilable organic carbon sources in POME is first reported in this paper. The microalgae strains were cultured independently in 10 % (v/v) POME aerated with 1% (v/v) CO2. Throughout the process, C. sorokiniana UKM2 showed the highest CO2 uptake rate of 567 mg L−1 day-1 and nutrient removal efficiency (NRE) of ammonium (NH4+), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphate (TP) of 100 %, 65 % and 56 % respectively. Meanwhile, Coelastella sp. UKM4 and C. pyrenoidosa UKM7 exhibited CO2 fixation rates ranging from 396 to 486 mg L−1 day-1, whereas the NRE of NH4+-N was 100 %. The NRE of TN and TP ranged from 59 % to 63 % and 41%–56%, respectively. Both Chlorella species presented higher average nutrient removal rates (ANRR) of NH4+-N, TN and TP than Coelastralla sp. UKM4. This study indicated that these three native microalgal species possess great potential for integration into the phycoremediation of POME and CO2 fixation.

Prospects of American oil palm (Elaeis oleifera, HBK) germplasm and inter specific hybrids in India

Unlike African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq.), American oil palm(Elaeis oleifera, HBK) has unique traits such as reduced height increment,palm oil with significantly high oleic acid, carotene and tocotrienols. However,a pure stand of oleifera is not cultivated and has inherent abnormalitiesin reproductive structures, which lead to poor fruit set. To overcomethese, oleifera is backcrossed to guineensis (O×G) through interspecifichybridization (IS). Genetic diversity studies indicated that there are fourgeographically distinct populations of a pure stand of oleifera distributed inBrazil, Peru, Central America/North Colombia, and Surinam/French Guiana.Oleifera germplasm has been collected from above natural palm grooves andconserved in the field gene banks of oil palm growing countries. AdvancedO×G hybrids were developed with a major breeding objective of improvingpalm oil quality and high-density planting. Some advanced O × G hybridsare reported to produce high oil yields close to that of tenera of African oilpalm. The interspecific hybrids namely, BRS Manicore, PS4, AA Hybrida IS,#S (& #D), Amazon, Taisha, Sinu-Coari × Coari from EMBRAPA (Brazil),Malaysian Palm Oil Board (Malaysia), Applied Agricultural Resources(Malaysia), Palmelite (Formerly CIRAD, France), Agricultural Servicesand Development (Costa Rica), Instituto Nacional de InvestigacionesAgropecuarias (INIAP), Ecuador and Peru, respectively are importantexamples for O×G hybrids. There are four oleifera accessions, namely,DOPR22, DOPR23, DOPR24, and DOPR25 available in India. Four geneticstocks viz., Palm no.45 of Surinam of DOPR22, Palm No.6 of DOPR23,Palm No 48 of DOPR23, and Palm No.6 of DOPR25 were developed forimprovement and introgression into Indian breeding programme. Oleiferagenetic resources and O×G hybrids have good prospects for achieving high oilquality, disease tolerance/resistance, and suitable for high-density planting.India has a very narrow genetic base, and there is an urgent need to collectnew materials from centers of origin by exploration and exchange throughunilateral and multilateral collaborative research programmes.

MODEL PENAWARAN DAN PERMINTAAN MINYAK KELAPA SAWIT INDONESIA DI PASAR INTERNASIONAL

ABSTRACT
 
 Indonesia is the leading producer of palm oil in the world. In 2016 Indonesia and Malaysia produced 81% of the world's palm oil. This study aims to analyze the response of the supply and demand for Indonesian palm oil in the world market. This study used time-series data from 1980-2016. The model built is an econometric model, simultaneous equations. To answer the research objectives, the data were analyzed using the Two Stages Least Square (2SLS) method. The main finding of this study is that in the short term, there are no responsive variables. In the long term, the variable that is responsive to the supply of Indonesian palm oil is the lag area of Indonesian palm oil. In the Malaysian palm oil supply equation, the response variable is the lag area of Malaysian palm oil. In terms of domestic demand for Indonesian palm oil, there are no responsive variables both in the short and long term. In the equation of demand for Malaysian palm oil, the responsive variables are the price of Malaysian palm oil and the price of Malaysian coconut oil. In the international demand for palm oil, the responsive variables are the increase in world palm oil prices, world palm oil prices, 2-year lag in world palm oil prices, and GDP per capita Pakistan. In terms of price, the responsive variable affecting the price of Indonesian palm oil is the world price of palm oil.

STRATEGY OF INDONESIA GOVERNMENT TO MANTAINS PALM OIL MARKET IN INDIA

<p><em>This study aims to determine the factors cause a decrease market share of Indonesia palm oil in India and its implications, and to know the Indonesia government’s strategy maintains the palm oil market in India. The method used is descriptive analysis using theory of competitive adventage diamond model of Michael Porter and Development state theory. The scope of study between 2010 and 2015. The results showed that cause of the decline in the market share of Indonesia palm oil in India due to the application of duty Crude Palm Oil (CPO) is higher than its derivative products in Indonesia, Increased demand for Malaysia palm oil by India and development of palm oil industry in India. The implications of this decline include the loss of potential tax revenue and export volume of palm oil as well as disrupt the Indonesia palm oil industry. Strategy by the Indonesia government is implementing Crude Palm Oil (CPO) Supporting Fund (CSF), Indonesia Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) Chennai (India) and Palm Oil Industrial Cluster. Strategy Indonesia government maintains the palm oil market in India has shown a positive effect. Although some parts are not running perfectly. The government as a stimulant to increase competitiveness of Indonesia palm oil is felt has done its job as it should. Futhermore, this strategy can be continued with evaluation and continuous improvement. </em></p>

Fate of cypermethrin in Malaysian oil palm plantation.

Cypermethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide commonly used to control bagworm infestation in oil palm plantations. It is applied through spraying onto the leaves where the bagworms reside. This article reports the fate of cypermethrin used in a Malaysian oil palm plantation during a typical dry season through the analysis of cypermethrin residue in environmental and palm oil samples collected from a supervised field trial. Residues of cypermethrin were not detected in the soil samples collected at different depths, water samples collected at different points in the experimental plots, and oil samples extracted from fresh fruit bunches (FFB) harvested from each plot for both single and double dosages of treatment throughout the study interval. Analysis of leaf samples, however, revealed that cypermethrin residue was detected for both pesticide treatments up to day 2 after cypermethrin application.

Variation for heterodimerization and nuclear localization among known and novel oil palm SHELL alleles.

Oil palm breeding involves crossing dura and pisifera palms to produce tenera progeny with greatly improved oil yield. Oil yield is controlled by variant alleles of a type II MADS-box gene, SHELL, that impact the presence and thickness of the endocarp, or shell, surrounding the fruit kernel. We identified six novel SHELL alleles in noncommercial African germplasm populations from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board. These populations provide extensive diversity to harness genetic, mechanistic and phenotypic variation associated with oil yield in a globally critical crop. We investigated phenotypes in heteroallelic combinations, as well as SHELL heterodimerization and subcellular localization by yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation and gene expression analyses. Four novel SHELL alleles were associated with fruit form phenotype. Candidate heterodimerization partners were identified, and interactions with EgSEP3 and subcellular localization were SHELL allele-specific. Our findings reveal allele-specific mechanisms by which variant SHELL alleles impact yield, as well as speculative insights into the potential role of SHELL in single-gene oil yield heterosis. Future field trials for combinability and introgression may further optimize yield and improve sustainability.

Comprehensive studies on optimization of ligno-hemicellulolytic enzymes by indigenous white rot hymenomycetes under solid-state cultivation using agro-industrial wastes

The disposal of oil palm biomass is a huge challenge in Malaysian oil palm plantations. The aim of this study was to develop efficient solid-state cultivated (SSC) ligno-hemicellulolytic bio-degrader formulations of indigenous white-rot hymenomycetes (Trametes lactinea FBW and Pycnoporus sanguineus FBR) utilizing oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB), rubber wood sawdust (SD) and vermiculite (V) either alone or in combination as substrates. Based on significant laccase (849.40 U mg−1 protein), xylanase (42.26 U g−1 protein) and amylase (157.49 U g−1 protein) production, SD+V (T5) and V (T3) were the optimum substrates for SSC of T. lactinea FBW. Whereas, utilizing EFB (T1) substrate for SSC of P. sanguineus FBR enhanced the production of MnP (42.51 U mg−1 protein), LiP (103.20 U mg−1 protein) and CMCase (34.39 U g−1 protein), enzymes. Apparently, this is the first study reporting on the protein profiles by T. lactinea FBW, producing two isoforms of un-purified laccase (~55 and 70 kDa) and MnP (~40 and 60 kDa) and a CMCase band (~60 kDa) during SSC on SD+V (T5) substrate. Interestingly, this is also the first report to document a single isoform of un-purified laccase (~50 kDa), MnP (~45 kDa), CMCase (~60 kDa) and xylanase (~55 kDa) by P. sanguineus FBR during SSC on empty fruit bunches substrate. The computed Principal Component Analysis (PCA) Biplot analysis elucidated the relationship between the solid substrate compositions, the hymenomycete strain, ligno-hemicellulolytic enzyme profiles, and cultivation time. Therefore, it is suggested to use PCA as a tool for multivariate analysis method for comprehensive selection and optimization of ligno-hemicellulolytic enzyme cocktails by the indigenous white rot hymenomycetes. These non-toxic (acute oral toxicity) formulations are safe to be used in field applications to efficiently degrade oil palm trunks and root mass that had been felled, chipped or pulverized under zero burning waste management program. This study could also serve as an alternative method for efficient utilization of agro-industrial waste as substrates for the development of cost-effective bio-degraders formulations for agro-waste management.

Excess Capacity and Entry Deterrence: The Case of Malaysian Palm Oil Refining Industry

This paper empirically examines the relationship between excess capacity and probability of entry into Malaysian palm oil refining industry using time series data. Capacity and production, two components crucial to the study of excess capacity, were included in the estimation model. The analysis was conducted specifically in the Malaysian palm oil refining industry and the sample covered the period from 1976 to 2011. Logit model was employed in this analysis, where the results exhibited that excess capacity does not significantly influence probability of entry into the palm oil refining industry in Malaysia.

Sustainability of Malaysian Oil Palm: A Critical Review

Despite some industrial disruption, palm oil is still among the strongest industry of Malaysia. This journey of excellence towards becoming the global leader is getting momentum by support from MPOB, a leader in palm oil research across the globe. This study is to assess the oil palm smallholder activities in Malaysia in order to ensure the sustainability to face the global challenges and competitions of the international markets. Thus, the industry is emerging not only as a dependable source of economic empowerment of the country, but also posing a serious threat towards ecological and social balance due to unawareness of the sustainability issues. With their outstanding share, the industry has potential to lead the market in the near future, but in the way of expansion it must focus on the sustainability issues especially related to environment, economy and society, which can adversely or constructively influence the industry and its production.

The Impact of Strategic Human Resource Management Practices on Productivity: The Case of the Malaysian Oil Palm Industry

A substantial body of evidence in management theory and business practice has accumulated to show that Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) is associated with improved organizational performance. In spite of this evidence, empirical studies have shown that some organizations are slow in implementing those practices. One of the fundamental reasons behind this is the fact that as a body of practical knowledge, SHRM has seemingly lacked any theoretical research framework to underpin it. Thus, this paper is an attempt to address this problem by (1) contributing to theory building in strategic HRM, and (2) empirically testing the hypothesis that SHRM practices affect productivity. This study used a sample of 129 managers of oil palm estates from a national survey of estate managers reflecting the 1998 financial year Using linear regression techniques, the results suggest that (1) estates implement less strategic HI? practices than anticipated, and (2) some strategic HR practices were related to productivity. Managerial implications of the study were discussed.

Valorisation of oil palm wastes into high yield and energy content biochars via slow pyrolysis: Multivariate process optimisation and combustion kinetic studies

Palm kernel shell (PKS) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) are agricultural wastes discharged in significant quantities by the Malaysia palm oil industry. In this work, valorisation of these wastes via slow pyrolysis were experimentally and statistically investigated to synthesise biochars. The interactive effects of several synthesis parameters (nitrogen flowrate, heating rate, pyrolysis temperature and time) on two pyrolysis process responses, viz biochar yield and higher heating value (HHV), were simultaneously assayed. The pyrolysis variables were optimised by response surface methodology (RSM) to maximise the two responses. It was determined that the optimum conditions for the biochars synthesis were 30 mL min−1 flowrate, 18.9–20 °C min−1 heating rate, 500–504.3 °C pyrolysis temperature and 30 min pyrolysis time. Under these synthesis conditions, the biochar yields were 34.27 and 36.86%, and HHV were 26.64 and 28.96 MJ kg−1 for EFB-biochar and PKS-biochar, respectively. The proximate analysis revealed that the biochars exhibited high fixed carbon contents. The current study also demonstrated that the activation energies of the EFB-biochar and PKS-biochar were three times lower than their corresponding raw wastes signifying the importance of the developed biochars as promising feedstock for combustion and gasification applications.

The Effect of Glufosinate Ammonium in Three Different Textured Soil Types under Malaysian Tropical Environment

Glufosinate ammonium is a broad spectrum, non-selective, contact and organophosphate herbicide which is commonly used in Malaysian oil palm plantations. Research area was one of the oil palm growing areas of Malaysia is located adjacent to the Tasik Chini, Pahang. Farmers use this herbicide to control several types of unwanted plants which could compete with the oil palm for nutrients. Rain water and the sprayed solution are easily adsorbed by soil particles. The glufosinate ammonium sorption was determined by the batch equilibrium technique. The collected soil samples (0-50 cm depth) divided into five groups at 10 cm depth intervals. Glufosinate ammonium adsorption coefficients were correlated with the soil pH, organic matter (OM), clay content, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Series of glufosinate ammonium standard were as 0.01, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 10 μm/mL. The Linear and Freundlich equations were fitted for obtaining the adsorption and desorption isotherms. The result of the analyses showed that adsorption of glufosinate ammonium was correlated to the clay content. The clay fraction of the soil is the main absorbent of the glufosinate ammonium. Desorption from the soil was indicated by the high binding strength of the adsorbed glufosinate ammonium.

Talking Points of Green and Sustainable Palm Oil Mill System in Malaysia

Todays, the palm oil milling industry (POMI) has been given serious attention due to environmental issues that arise from the milling processes. Greenhouse gas emission, wastewater quality, waste management plan and energy efficiency are the main POMI issues that contribute to the environmental problems. Critically, this issues could bring a serious impact in sustaining Malaysia palm oil industry in current global economic competitiveness. Moreover, the stringent trading standard for palm oil industry has forced the palm oil producer to align and fulfilling the requirements accordingly. In this short article, the overview of POMI system in Malaysia were elaborated. Besides, the strength and weaknesses of the Malaysia POMI system were highlighted in giving understanding of current condition. Furthermore, the challenge and potential in greening POMI system were discussed in ensuring sustainable future of POMI in Malaysia.

Utilization of oil palm fronds for bio-oil and bio-char production using hydrothermal liquefaction technology

Hydrothermal liquefaction technology carried out on local Malaysian oil palm fronds (OPF) in a batch autoclave reactor to produce solid bio-char as well as liquid bio-oil is reported in this study. The parameters taken in consideration for study encapsulated variable reaction temperature (160–260 °C) and reaction times (20–100 min). Observations showed that the bio-oil yield percentage increased from 27.3% at 160 °C to 41.9% at 260 °C, whereas bio-char yield percentage decreased from 65.2% at 160 °C to 43.2% at 260 °C. Similarly, higher reaction time also produces higher yield bio-oil percentage and lower bio-char yield percentage. The characterization results showed that the combustion properties of bio-char and bio-oil were improved after hydrothermal liquefaction due to decrease in percentage of oxygen of bio-oil and bio-char and an increase in percentage of carbon content. The carbon percentage increased from 42.73% for OPF to 59.42% and 60.47% for bio-char and bio-oil, respectively. Whereas, the percentage of oxygen decreased from 52.51 for OPF to 36.30% and 35.61 for bio-char and bio-oil. The main chemical compounds identified in bio-oil by GC-MS were phenolic compounds and their derivatives, alcohols, ketones, and esters.