NGE Collaborates with FMIPA–UI to Develop High-Nutrition Steamless Palm Oil Products

DEPOK, SAWIT INDONESIA — Efforts to develop high-value, health-focused palm oil products continue to grow in Indonesia. PT Nusantara Green Energy (NGE) has formalized a research collaboration with the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI) through the Applied Science Institute (UKK LST). The partnership focuses on advancing scientific studies for the development of Steamless Palm Oil (SPO) as a high-nutrition palm oil rich in natural phytonutrients for human health, and as a potential solution to reduce stunting and malnutrition.

NGE emphasized that FMIPA UI’s multidisciplinary expertise provides strong support for research on next-generation palm oil technologies. The steamless palm oil process, which removes the use of boilers and steam, offers significantly lower carbon emissions and requires lower capital investment for mill development. This technology is designed to preserve the natural nutrients found in palm fruit—nutrients that are typically lost in conventional CPO processing and further degraded during refining.

The collaboration was marked by the signing of a joint research agreement between UKK LST FMIPA UI and PT NGE on September 27, 2022, at the UI Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory. The research program will focus on raw material exploration and the development of innovative palm-based health and pharmaceutical products while maintaining the phytonutrient integrity of SPO.

During the event, NGE’s leadership highlighted the importance of strengthening Indonesia’s capacity in fundamental research to produce innovations with both commercial and societal impact. With a clear roadmap and continued academic–industry synergy, Indonesia is well-positioned to develop palm-based technologies that support public health improvements and broaden economic opportunities for local communities.

Indonesia has been the world’s largest palm oil producer since 2006, with plantations covering 16.38 million hectares in 2020. Naturally, crude palm oil contains carotenoids (pro-vitamin A), tocopherols and tocotrienols (vitamin E), phytosterols, and other beneficial phytonutrients. However, current industrial processing methods typically destroy these nutrients. The development of Steamless Palm Oil Technology (SPOT) and Impurities Removable Unit (IRU) aims to preserve these natural compounds, enabling the creation of healthier, high-value palm-based products.

Stunting remains a national health priority, with vitamin A deficiency being one of its contributing factors. The government’s accelerated stunting-reduction program—outlined in Presidential Regulation No. 72/2021—underscores the urgency of improving nutritional access. Through the advancement of SPO applications in health and pharmaceutical sectors, the NGE–UI collaboration seeks to contribute to these national goals while unlocking new value-added opportunities for Indonesia’s palm oil industry.