Quality Control of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) Products Using the Six Sigma Method (Case Study of PT Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit)

Abstract

Competition in Indonesia's palm oil industry continues to grow year by year, driven by not only domestic market demand but also a strong international demand for palm oil derivatives, particularly Crude Palm Oil (CPO). As the world's largest CPO producer, Indonesia faces the challenge of maintaining the high quality of CPO, a key raw material for various industries such as food, cosmetics, and fuel. PT Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit, a major player in CPO production, is confronted with issues related to inconsistent quality in its CPO products, particularly in terms of Free Fatty Acid (FFA) and moisture content. These quality fluctuations, often exceeding the company's standard specifications, pose significant risks to product acceptance, pricing, and company reputation. To address these issues, the Six Sigma approach, particularly the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology, is applied to identify the root causes of these variations and propose data-driven improvements. Six Sigma, a well-established method for process improvement, helps in minimizing defects, stabilizing production processes, and improving overall product quality. Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of Six Sigma in reducing FFA and moisture fluctuations in the palm oil industry, highlighting its potential to enhance operational efficiency and product consistency. This study aims to analyze the causes of quality fluctuations in CPO, especially in FFA and moisture content, and to provide actionable solutions using the Six Sigma DMAIC approach. The expected outcome is to support PT Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit in improving its CPO quality control system, ensuring product stability, and enhancing its competitiveness in the global market.