Analysis of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) Production Quality Control Using the Seven Tools

Saul Weipsa

doi:10.59976/jurit.v4i2.393

Authors

Saul Weipsa Universitas Internasional Papua

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59976/jurit.v4i2.393

Abstract

Crude palm oil (CPO) quality is affected by free fatty acid (FFA/ALB), moisture, and dirt content, which can reduce product quality and economic value. This study analyzes quality-control implementation at PT Tandan Sawit Papua, Arso Timur, using the Seven Tools and identifies dominant quality problems and potential causes requiring verification. A quantitative case-study design used daily quality records from 15 days in January 2026, divided into two shifts. The dataset comprised 30 shift-level observations, 1,500 samples, and 3,826 tons of CPO production. Analyses included check sheets, shift stratification, Pareto diagrams, p-control charts, scatter diagrams, flowcharts, and fishbone diagrams. Results showed 148 parameter-level off-specification occurrences, equivalent to 9.87% of tested samples, although this represents an occurrence rate because individual samples could fail multiple parameters. FFA/ALB was dominant with 92 occurrences (62.16%), followed by moisture with 37 (25.00%) and dirt with 19 (12.84%). The pooled p-chart initially identified one special-cause signal; however, shift-specific limits showed that the observation remained within Shift 2 limits. Shift 1 recorded a 4.93% occurrence rate, while Shift 2 reached 14.80%. The pooled production–defect correlation (r = −0.675) was confounded by shift differences, whereas within-shift correlations were weak and insignificant. Shift-adjusted regression confirmed shift as the dominant predictor. The 5.00% FFA limit followed SNI 01-2901-2006, while moisture and dirt limits were stricter than commonly cited national limits. Fishbone analysis identified material, method, machine, personnel, environment, and measurement as candidate causes. However, these remain hypotheses. Verification of unique defective samples, continuous laboratory results, applicable specifications, and shift-specific process records is required before corrective actions and statistical-control baselines are established.

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