Recent advances in oil palm processing for higher efficiency and products recovery - an integrated approach. The large-scale cultivation of oil palm in the last three decades and the continuing expansion of new areas into oil palm development have posed great challenges to the industry to seek improvement and advancement in all areas of agricultural practices, agronomy, post-harvest processing technology and better environmental control in order to meet the global challenges and competition facing the production of sustainable palm oil for the world's oils and fats market. In the field of palm oil engineering and milling technology, the focus of this paper, there have been tremendous challenges to develop new technologies and techniques to meet with the requirements for large-scale processing, better production methods and greater efficiency in product recovery. There has also been much emphasis on the need to create a safer and conducive working environment within the industry and to implement environmental policies to protect the environment. This paper reviews the development in milling technology that has taken place in the last three decades, resulting in new concepts to mill layout and design with the introduction of new equipment, machines and new process technology, which have contributed greatly to the overall milling operation resulting in high plant efficiency vis-à-vis product recovery, mechanical handling, higher throughput, better environmental control and product cost. The paper will also discuss briefly aspects of integrated palm processing and the advantages and limitations of such plants.
