WHAT IS IT?
Crude Coconut Oil (CNO) is the oil extracted from the dried meat (copra) of mature coconuts (Cocos nucifera). It is distinctive among vegetable oils for its very high saturated fat content (~90%) and unique medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) composition, dominated by lauric acid (C12).
FATTY ACID PROFILE (what makes it unique)
Lauric acid (C12): ~48% — antimicrobial properties, used in soaps and personal care
Myristic acid (C14): ~17%
Caprylic acid (C8): ~8% — MCT oil for ketogenic diet
Capric acid (C10): ~7%
Palmitic acid (C16): ~9%
Very low unsaturated content vs other vegetable oils
TYPES
Crude Coconut Oil (CNO): Extracted from copra by expelling or solvent extraction. Yellow to amber colour.
RBD Coconut Oil: Refined, Bleached, Deodorised — colourless, odourless. Food grade.
Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO): Cold-pressed from fresh coconut meat, not copra. Premium grade for health food market.
KEY USES
Oleochemicals (largest use): Fatty acids and fatty alcohols from coconut oil → surfactants, detergents, personal care ingredients (shampoo, soap, conditioner)
Lauric acid and derivatives: Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) — found in virtually all shampoos and toothpastes
Food: Cooking oil, margarine, coffee whiteners, confectionery
Cosmetics: Skin moisturiser, hair care, sunscreen base
Pharmaceutical: Carrier for injectable drugs, suppository bases
TRADE CORRIDORS
Major producers: Philippines (world's largest coconut oil exporter), Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam
Major buyers: USA, EU, China, Singapore (as oleochemical hub)
Tetra relevance: Philippines and Indonesia → SEA and global. Singapore oleochemical industry processes significant volumes.
PRICING BASIS
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) publishes weekly reference prices. Also tracked by Oil World. Correlates loosely with palm kernel oil (both are lauric oils) and palm oil (competing edible oil).
SPECIFICATIONS (Crude CNO)
FFA: max 5.0% (as lauric acid)
Moisture and impurities: max 0.5%
Colour (Lovibond): natural yellow-amber
Iodine Value: 6.3–10.6 (very low — highly saturated)
Saponification value: 248–265