Pure palm oil is primarily used for human consumption and in various industrial applications. According to our reference, here's a detailed breakdown:
Human Consumption
Approximately 80% of palm oil is used in food products. This includes:
- Margarine: Palm oil's semi-solid consistency at room temperature makes it a key ingredient.
- Basic Vegetable Fat: It serves as a general-purpose cooking fat.
- Food Oil: Used directly as a cooking oil for frying and baking.
- Cooking Oil: A versatile cooking oil suitable for high-heat applications.
- Specialist Fats: Used in the production of specific types of fats for various food applications.
Industrial Uses
Beyond food, palm oil is used to create derivatives for various industries:
- Fatty Acids: These are used in the production of soaps and detergents.
- Soaps and Cosmetics: Palm oil derivatives are found in numerous soaps, shampoos, and cosmetic products.
- Industrial Soaps: Palm oil is used in the manufacture of industrial-grade soaps and cleaning agents.
- Inks: Some inks use palm oil derivatives as a component.
- Resins: Used in the production of various types of resins.
- Methyl Esters: These are used as biofuels and solvents.
Here's a summary table:
| Use Category | Applications |
|---|---|
| Human Consumption | Margarine, basic vegetable fat, food oil, cooking oil, specialist fats |
| Industrial Uses | Fatty acids, soaps, cosmetics, industrial soaps, inks, resins, methyl esters |
