Unlocking the Potentials of Biochar from Oil Palm Waste: A Review
Loso Judijanto
ABSTRACT
The escalating generation of biomass residues from oil palm, especially EFB, creates environmental pressures but also offers significant potential for sustainable utilization. Biochar, produced by pyrolysis of biomass waste, is increasingly recognized for its dual role in improving soil health and reducing carbon emissions. By employing a comprehensive, systematic approach to peer-reviewed sources, this paper evaluates the current scientific understanding of the potential agronomic, ecological, and economic contributions of biochar derived from empty fruit bunches. Employing a qualitative research design using the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method, this study adheres to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol. Data were collected by systematically identifying, screening, and selecting academic articles from the ScienceDirect database published between 2021 and 2025, using a refined Boolean keyword strategy. A total of 31 articles met all inclusion criteria, including relevance, open-access availability, and temporal scope. Thematic analysis was applied to synthesize findings across four domains: soil health, carbon sequestration, economic viability, and sustainable agriculture. Evidence suggests that EFB-based biochar positively affects soil chemistry by raising pH, improving nutrient retention, and stimulating microbial processes, while offering strong potential for carbon sequestration and lower GHG emissions. Economically, its integration into palm oil value chains demonstrates cost-saving and income-generating prospects. In conclusion, EFB biochar presents a viable solution for circular bioeconomy and climate-resilient agriculture. Future research is recommended to focus on long-term field trials, certification standards, and decentralized production models.
