What Is RBD Palm Olein?
RBD Palm Olein is the liquid fraction of refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) palm oil. After crude palm oil (CPO) is physically refined to remove free fatty acids, color pigments and odor compounds, the resulting RBD Palm Oil is fractionated — a controlled cooling and filtration process that separates the oil into two fractions:
- Palm Olein — the liquid fraction, used as cooking and frying oil
- Palm Stearin — the solid fraction, used in margarine, soap and confectionery fats
RBD Palm Olein is the most widely traded vegetable oil in the world. It is clear, light yellow, odorless and neutral-tasting after refining. The critical quality parameter that distinguishes one grade of palm olein from another is the Cloud Point (CP).
What Is Cloud Point (CP)?
Cloud point is the temperature at which dissolved solids (primarily tripalmitin and other saturated triglycerides) begin to crystallize and make the oil appear cloudy or hazy. The lower the cloud point, the more unsaturated the oil — and the more suitable it is for cooler climates or applications that require the oil to remain liquid at low storage temperatures.
Cloud Point is measured in degrees Celsius (°C). An oil with CP8 will remain clear down to approximately 8°C before clouding, while CP10 oils cloud at approximately 10°C.
From a buyer's perspective: if your end market is a cold-climate country or refrigerated application, CP8 is the safer choice. If your market is tropical or the oil is used exclusively in hot cooking applications, CP10 offers a cost advantage.
CP8 vs CP10: Specification Comparison
| Parameter | RBD Palm Olein CP8 | RBD Palm Olein CP10 |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Point | Max 8°C | Max 10°C |
| Iodine Value (IV) | Min 56 g I₂/100g | Min 53 g I₂/100g |
| Free Fatty Acid (FFA) | Max 0.10% | Max 0.10% |
| Moisture & Impurities | Max 0.10% | Max 0.10% |
| Color (Lovibond 5.25") | Max 3.0 Red | Max 3.0 Red |
| Melting Point | ~18–20°C | ~20–24°C |
| DOBI (Deterioration of Bleachability Index) | Min 2.5 | Min 2.5 |
The iodine value (IV) is the key driver of cloud point. A higher IV indicates more unsaturated bonds in the fatty acid chains, which remain liquid at lower temperatures. To achieve CP8, refiners fractionate more aggressively to remove a higher proportion of saturated triglycerides — which is why CP8 commands a price premium.
Applications: Which Grade for Which Use?
RBD Palm Olein CP8 — Best For:
- Bottled cooking oil sold in temperate or cold climates (Europe, South Korea, Japan, Northern China): consumers expect oil to remain clear in the refrigerator
- Foodservice in air-conditioned environments where oil may be stored at 15–20°C
- Blending with other oils (sunflower, canola) where a low cloud point is required for the final blend
- Snack food frying where a cleaner, lighter oil is preferred for product appearance
- Export markets with strict quality specifications — many European and East Asian buyers specify IV ≥56
RBD Palm Olein CP10 — Best For:
- Tropical markets (Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, West Africa, South Asia) where ambient temperatures exceed 25°C and oil is stored at room temperature
- Industrial frying (continuous fryers, instant noodle lines) where oil is always heated to 160–180°C
- Blending base for lower-cost cooking oil or margarine in hot-climate markets
- Buyers maximizing cost efficiency who do not need cold-climate performance
Price Difference: CP8 vs CP10
The CP8 grade commands a premium of approximately $20–40/MT over CP10 in normal market conditions. This premium reflects the additional fractionation yield loss — to produce more liquid CP8 olein, a larger proportion of the stearin fraction must be separated out, reducing the olein yield per tonne of RBD Palm Oil processed.
| Grade | FOB Bangkok (2026 est.) |
|---|---|
| RBD Palm Olein CP10 | $880–$980/MT |
| RBD Palm Olein CP8 | $900–$1,020/MT |
Prices fluctuate with CPO futures on Bursa Malaysia, seasonal harvest patterns, and USD/MYR exchange rate. Contact us for live indicative pricing.
Packaging Options
Both CP8 and CP10 are available in the following packaging from Thailand:
- Flexitank (24 MT per 20' container): lowest cost per MT, bulk liquid — requires buyer to have bulk receiving and storage at destination
- IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container), 1,000L / ~900 kg: suitable for manufacturers with tank farm capacity, easy to unload with forklift
- 25-litre drums (~18 MT per 20' container): most widely used for retail and foodservice distribution; easier to handle and resell
- 5-litre and 1-litre PET bottles: available for retail brands
For large industrial buyers, flexitank is the most economical. For distributors supplying smaller end-users, 25L drums or IBCs are preferred.
Storage and Handling
RBD Palm Olein is sensitive to heat, light and oxygen. Recommended storage:
- Store in a cool, dry place below 30°C — avoid prolonged exposure above 35°C
- Keep away from direct sunlight and UV exposure
- Use nitrogen blanketing for bulk tanks to prevent oxidation
- Rotate stock using FIFO — shelf life is typically 12–18 months from production date if stored correctly
- For CP8 in cold-climate storage: do not store below 5°C as crystallization may occur; if the oil clouds, warm gently (30–35°C) and stir to re-liquefy — the oil quality is not affected
Which Grade Does Your Market Need?
If you are importing for a tropical food manufacturer or distributor, CP10 is almost certainly the right choice — it is cheaper and the cold-climate performance of CP8 is simply not needed at ambient temperatures above 25°C.
If you are importing for retail bottled oil in a temperate country, or for a food manufacturer whose specifications include IV ≥56 or cloud point ≤8°C, you must source CP8.
When in doubt, ask your buyer's quality department for their incoming goods specification sheet. The spec sheet will state the cloud point or iodine value requirement explicitly. Jitaree Oil Trading can supply both grades with full COA (Certificate of Analysis) and SGS or Intertek inspection at origin.
Ready to get a price quotation for RBD Palm Olein CP8 or CP10? Contact our team with your required volume, destination port and packaging preference.