Palm Fatty Acid Distillate

Overview

PFAD stands for Palm Fatty Acid Distillate. It is a processing residue resulting from physical refining of crude palm oil products. At room temperature it is a light brown semi-solid, melting to a brown liquid on heating. Up to 80 percent of PFAD is free fatty acid (FFA), with palmitic acid and oleic acid being the major components. The remaining 20 percent is made up of components including triglycerides, partial glycerides, and vitamin E, sterols and squalenese.

PFAD4 is used as a renewable raw material in biofuels production as well as to produce candles, soaps, other oleochemical products, and animal feed. Specific to biofuel production in Europe, the EU allows Member States to account PFAD consumption towards greenhouse gas emissions reductions under its Renewable Energy Directive. The amount of emissions reductions depends on the PFAD’s technical classification, a residue or co-product, which is up to the individual Member State. To verify the emissions reductions, the EU relies on voluntary certification schemes, such as the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification system.

PFAD has various applications in different industries. In the food industry, it can be used as an ingredient in animal feed formulations, particularly for poultry and swine. PFAD can also be utilized in the production of biodiesel as it contains high levels of fatty acids suitable for biodiesel manufacturing. Additionally, PFAD is employed in the manufacturing of soaps, detergents, and cosmetics, where its fatty acid content contributes to the cleansing and moisturizing properties of these products.

Benefits of using PFAD :

• Producing renewable fuels using PFAD is good for the climate. It is an efficient way to use waste generated through the palm oil refining process, preventing PFAD from going to literal waste. A by-product that is undesirable from the food industry perspective can be very desirable for other sectors.
• Neste MY Renewable Diesel7 which is refined from PFAD and other waste and residue materials, such as Used Cooking Oil (UCO), helps to replace crude oil-based diesel in transportation.
• Using Neste MY Renewable Diesel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent on average compared to a diesel-powered vehicle using conventional fossil fuel-based diesel.

Application

Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD) has various applications across different industries. Here are some common uses of PFAD:

• Animal Feed: PFAD is commonly used as an ingredient in animal feed formulations, particularly for poultry and swine. It provides a source of energy and essential fatty acids in animal diets.
• Biodiesel Production: PFAD is a valuable feedstock for biodiesel production. It contains high levels of fatty acids that can be converted into biodiesel through a transesterification process. PFAD's use in biodiesel helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promotes renewable energy sources.
• Soap and Detergent Manufacturing: PFAD is utilized in the production of soaps and detergents. Its high fatty acid content contributes to the cleansing and foaming properties of these products. PFAD is often used as a cost-effective alternative to other vegetable oils in soap production.
• Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: PFAD can be found in cosmetics and personal care items, such as moisturizers, lotions, and creams. Its fatty acids help moisturize and nourish the skin, contributing to the product's emollient and conditioning properties.
• Industrial Applications: PFAD is also used in various industrial applications, including lubricant manufacturing, rubber processing, and as a raw material for the production of fatty acids and fatty alcohols.

Spesification