What Palm Shell Waste Is Typically Recycled Into Biochar?

The palm oil industry generates millions of tons of biomass waste annually, much of which is underutilized or discarded. However, growing interest in sustainable practices and carbon-negative technologies has turned the spotlight onto palm shell waste and its potential for conversion into biochar through pyrolysis.

Among these residues, empty fruit bunches (EFB), palm kernel shells (PKS), and mesocarp fiber stand out as the most common raw materials used to produce high-quality biochar. In this article, we dive into what kinds of palm waste can be recycled into biochar, the unique characteristics of each, and their applications.

1. Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB)

Biochar potential:

• High lignin content makes it suitable for pyrolysis.
• Yields a lightweight, porous biochar with good water retention capacity.
• Typically low in ash content and rich in potassium and calcium, beneficial for soil.

Applications of EFB biochar:

• Soil conditioner in degraded lands
• Organic fertilizer base (when enriched)
• Mulching material for plantations

EFB biochar is especially useful in tropical agriculture, where soils are acidic and poor in organic matter.

2. Palm Kernel Shells (PKS)

PKS are the hard shells surrounding the palm seed after the kernel has been removed for oil extraction. These shells are dense, high in carbon, and widely available in palm oil mills.

Biochar potential:

• Produces high-carbon, dense biochar with great adsorption capacity.
• High fixed carbon content (~70–80%), ideal for carbon sequestration and filtration.
• Lower volatile matter compared to EFB, making it stable and durable.

Applications of PKS biochar:

• Water and air filtration media (due to its microporous structure)
• Industrial absorbent for heavy metals or chemicals
• Long-term soil carbon storage

Because of its high energy density, PKS is also sometimes used to produce activated carbon after further processing.

3. Mesocarp Fiber

This fibrous material is extracted from the fruit's mesocarp (the pulp) during oil pressing. It is lighter and fluffier than PKS but still rich in organic material.

Biochar potential:

• Generates fluffy, low-density biochar with moderate porosity.
• Rich in silica and potassium, useful for improving soil nutrient-holding capacity.
• Typically requires pre-drying due to high moisture content.

Applications of mesocarp fiber biochar:

• Soil amendment in organic farming
• Additive to animal bedding or compost
• Biomass filler in low-load construction materials

4. Other Palm Biomass Sources for Biochar

• Palm trunks and fronds: Often used in larger-scale plantation waste management systems.
• Press fiber and decanter cake: Less commonly used due to high oil and moisture content, but may be pretreated for pyrolysis.

While less efficient than PKS or EFB, these can be co-pyrolyzed with drier biomass to enhance yield and reduce waste.

Why Recycle Palm Waste into Biochar?

Recycling palm oil biomass into biochar offers numerous environmental and economic benefits:

• Reduces open burning and air pollution in palm-producing countries.
• Sequesters carbon in a stable form, contributing to climate change mitigation.
• Improves soil health, increasing crop yields sustainably.
• Adds value to agricultural waste, creating revenue streams for palm oil mills and plantations.

Countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand are actively exploring biochar as part of their national strategies for waste valorization and climate-smart agriculture.

Choosing the Right Equipment for Palm Waste Pyrolysis

Different types of palm waste require different pyrolysis technologies. Key considerations include:

• Moisture content: EFB and mesocarp fiber often need drying before pyrolysis.
• Size and density: PKS is denser and may require pre-crushing.
• Throughput needs: Large plantations benefit from continuous pyrolysis systems, while small-scale users may opt for batch reactors.

Advanced palm shell charcoal machine like those from Beston Group come with feeding systems, condensers, and emission controls tailored to handle palm residues efficiently and safely.

Conclusion

Palm shell waste—including EFB, PKS, and mesocarp fiber—is a valuable, untapped resource for sustainable biochar production. With the right pyrolysis technology and application strategy, palm biomass waste can be transformed into high-quality biochar that supports agriculture, industry, and the environment.

By turning agricultural byproducts into carbon-rich materials, we’re not only reducing waste—we’re building a circular, climate-resilient future.