What is the difference between CPO and RPO?

CPO and RPO are two types of palm oil products at different processing stages. They differ in processing technology, color, and smell, etc. The following is a detailed analysis of the difference between CPO and RPO:

1. Processing Technology

(1) CPO: CPO is a primary oil obtained by pressing or extracting from the fruit of the oil palm tree, usually without further processing. In addition, due to its simple processing technology, it contains more impurities and is easily oxidized and deteriorated, so it is not suitable for long-term storage.

(2) RPO: RPO is through a series of complex palm oil refining processes, including degumming, deacidification, decolorization, deodorization, etc., to remove harmful impurities in CPO to make it meet national quality standards, improves its stability, and is conducive to long-term storage. It is important to note that the palm oil refining process does not remove all impurities in CPO, but rather removes impurities selectively.

Complex palm oil refining process

2. Color

(1) CPO: Since the CPO produced by pressing method contains more impurities and pigments, its color is usually darker and may appear reddish brown.

(2) RPO: After palm oil refining, its color becomes clearer, usually light yellow or almost colorless.

3. Smell

(1) CPO: CPO usually has a strong natural odor, which may include fruity, earthy or other natural aromas associated with the raw material. In addition, due to the unrefined process, CPO may contain some impurities or volatile substances, which may affect its odor characteristics.

(2) RPO: After the palm oil refining process of removing free fatty acids, natural pigments, odors, etc., RPO has a milder smell and no obvious odor. It is worth mentioning that the deodorization step in the palm oil refining process is particularly important, which helps to remove the unpleasant odor in CPO and make RPO more suitable for consumption and food processing.

The deodorization tank in the palm oil refining process

4. Application Areas

(1) CPO: CPO has high impurity content and cannot be used for high-temperature processes such as frying and baking, so its application field is relatively limited. It is commonly used in industrial production, such as making soap, biodiesel and other industrial products.

(2) RPO: RPO has high purity and is suitable for a variety of processing needs. It is widely used in industrial production of various end products. It is also more suitable for consumption and is widely used in cooking and food processing industries.

5. Safety and Price

(1) CPO: Although CPO is unrefined and may retain more natural ingredients, it contains more impurities and pollutants, which poses certain risks to health and is therefore less safe. Besides, due to its simple processing and relatively low cost, its price is also relatively cheap.

(2) RPO: The palm oil refining process can remove impurities and toxins that are harmful to the human body, making the palm oil safer, so the RPO is more popular in the market, the safety is greatly improved, and it can meet higher food safety requirements. In addition, the palm oil refining process increases the production cost, so the RPO price is usually higher than CPO.

Complete crude palm oil refining equipment

In general, the difference between CPO and RPO exists in many aspects. CPO is favored for its lower cost and specific industrial applications, while RPO has a place in the market for its high purity and suitability for consumption. When choosing, you should decide which type of palm oil to buy or produce based on your specific usage needs and budget. Henan Glory Company has been committed to palm oil production for a long time. If you want to start a palm oil business and want to learn more about palm oil refining knowledge, you can contact us. We have a professional team of engineers who will provide you with professional advice.