High Free Fatty Acid (FFA) levels can reduce the quality and marketability of Crude Palm Oil (CPO), increase refining costs, and make it more difficult for producers to meet strict product specifications. A palm oil processing facility implemented BETAGARD 9700 to stabilize CPO quality and reduce FFA without requiring major modifications to its existing production infrastructure.
Case Study Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Industry | Palm Oil Processing |
| Primary challenge | FFA levels ranging from 4–10% |
| Solution | Controlled application of BETAGARD 9700 |
| Application dosage | 0.3–0.5% |
| Main result | FFA reduced to below 5% |
| Additional benefits | Lower oil losses, reduced refining costs, improved CPO stability, and support for MOSH and MOAH compliance |
| Key product | BETAGARD 9700 |
About the Customer
The customer is a leading innovator in palm oil processing solutions, focused on developing sustainable and effective biotechnology applications for the industry. Its operations prioritize consistent product quality, efficient plant performance, regulatory compliance, and environmentally responsible processing practices.
The Challenge
The palm oil processing facility experienced persistent FFA levels ranging from 4–10% in its crude palm oil. These elevated levels created several operational and commercial challenges:
- Higher downstream refining costs.
- Reduced CPO quality and product stability.
- Increased oil losses during processing.
- Greater difficulty meeting strict MOSH and MOAH market parameters.
- Increased pressure to maintain safety and environmental compliance.
The facility needed a solution that could reduce and stabilize FFA while preserving the fundamental fatty acid characteristics of the palm oil. The solution also needed to integrate into the existing production process without requiring major equipment replacement or extensive plant modification.
The Solution
Following a comprehensive technical assessment, the facility selected BETAGARD 9700, a biotechnology-based enzyme inhibitor formulated to support FFA reduction in palm oil.
BETAGARD 9700 was selected because it could be integrated into the existing process, did not require major infrastructure changes, and was designed to stabilize oil quality without leaving harmful residues or significantly altering the oil’s fatty acid structure.
The product was applied at a dosage of 0.3–0.5% through an in-line injection system connected to the existing recovery, centrifuge, and enzyme-mixing tanks. Application temperature, contact time, and dosage were carefully controlled to support consistent treatment performance.
During implementation, the plant continuously monitored several important quality parameters:
- Free Fatty Acid (FFA).
- Moisture content.
- Deterioration of Bleachability Index (DOBI).
- Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH).
- Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH).
This monitoring approach helped the facility verify product quality, process stability, and compliance with applicable operational and market requirements.
Application Parameters
| Parameter | Implementation |
|---|---|
| Product | BETAGARD 9700 |
| Dosage | 0.3–0.5% |
| Dosing method | In-line injection |
| Integration points | Recovery tank, centrifuge system, and enzyme-mixing tank |
| Process controls | Controlled dosage, temperature, and contact time |
| Quality monitoring | FFA, moisture, DOBI, MOSH, and MOAH |
The Results
The implementation of BETAGARD 9700 reduced FFA levels from an initial range of 4–10% to below 5%. This improvement supported more stable and marketable crude palm oil while helping the plant control downstream processing costs.
Key results included:
- FFA reduced to below 5%.
- Improved CPO quality and product stability.
- Better control of MOSH and MOAH quality parameters.
- Reduced oil losses during processing.
- Lower refining expenditure.
- Stable and safe plant operation.
- No major modification to the existing production infrastructure.
By combining controlled chemical application with continuous quality monitoring, the facility improved production consistency and strengthened the competitiveness of its CPO products.
Customer Testimonial
“BETAGARD 9700 has delivered a highly significant improvement in the quality of our Crude Palm Oil. Before implementation, we faced persistent FFA levels ranging from 4–10%, which directly affected refining costs, product stability, and compliance with market standards such as MOSH and MOAH.
After adopting BETAGARD 9700, FFA levels were consistently reduced to below 5% without requiring major modifications to our existing plant infrastructure. We also experienced reduced oil losses, improved refining cost efficiency, and stable, safe plant operation.
This solution has proven to be technically effective while supporting our commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, and industry sustainability. BETAGARD 9700 has become an essential part of maintaining the competitiveness and marketability of our products.”
Ready to Improve Your CPO Quality?
BETAGARD 9700 provides an efficient solution for palm oil processors seeking to reduce FFA, improve CPO stability, control oil losses, and optimize refining costs without major changes to existing plant infrastructure.