Novel developments in palm based industries

Abstract

The CONCISE OXFORD Dictionary defines " novel " as of new kind or nature, strange, hitherto unknown, which in itself sounds like a good subject for brainstorming. Primarily, one considers palm and palm kernel oils as Food Fats and this of course is their majority applications . Today ,palm and palm kernel oils are used as raw material feedstocks in the oleochemicals industry joining coal and petroleum as chemical intermediates. An application which would considerably enhance the demand for this purpose would be in polymers, for the production of thermoplastics.

Traditionally ,toilet soap production has been based on a blend of some 85% tallow and 15% coconut oil. Today, toilet soap is also produced using palm and palm kernel oils which confer the advantages of lower odour levels, requiring less volumes of expensive perfume to mask the inherent odour. The vegetable based soaps are also acceptable to Jewish and Muslim communities .