NMK Holdings introduces modern process for production of copra

NMK Holdings (Private) Limited, a leading company which has introduced around 30 food products to the local and international markets under the brand name ‘Marina,’ has introduced a new process for the production of copra.

This innovative system will replace the age-old traditional method of copra production and will help Sri Lanka save around Rs. 4 billion in foreign exchange per annum, said Manjula Narayana, Managing Director of NMK Group of Companies.

In the usual process of producing coconut oil, the enormous amount of coconut shells is unnecessarily wasted by burning them for drying the copra. Around 80,000 to 120,000 tonnes of coconut oil are produced locally per annum to meet the consumer demand. This means that around 8,000 coconuts are required to produce a tonne of coconut oil. Therefore, on an average, one billion coconuts are needed to produce Sri Lanka’s annual coconut oil consumption, he said.

“Around 65% to 75% coconut shells are annually burnt in this traditional method. If we were to export these wasted shells as charcoal, Sri Lanka can earn Rs. 4 billion per annum,” the MD noted.

Coconut shell charcoal is used to produce activated carbon, which has a heavy demand both locally and internationally. There exists a dearth of charcoal in the country now because of the heavy usage of coconut shells to produce coconut oil. As a result, Sri Lanka has to import charcoal to meet its needs, Narayana said.

He said that this situation can be reversed for the greater benefit and prosperity of the country if the newly invented process of copra drying is applied. For the benefit of the national economy, this machinery can be provided to those keen in this new technology, he stressed.

Coconut oil contains the lauric acid which is a feature in mother’s milk too. Lauric acid enhances the human body’s immune system and helps in a big way to resist diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. As coconut oil contains short and medium chain fatty acid, it digests easily thereby providing the stamina the human system needs, he explained.

In addition, as coconut oil also contains substantial volumes of MCT (Medium Chain Triglyceride), it strengthens brain cells and enhances its functions. Apart from glucose, only MCT has the capacity to do this, Narayana said.

He said these fundamentally important factors have been scientifically proven in research done in USA and Europe. But, it should be borne in mind that the human body can accrue all these health benefits only if proper and systematic processes and techniques are used to extract coconut oil.

In applying traditional methods to produce coconut oil, the natural goodness and its useful health benefits are destroyed. Not only that, substances harmful to the human body and the waste of animals also contaminate the coconut oil as a result of not adhering to a safe and hygienic production process, the MD said.

“During 10 years of research we did with the active involvement of academics including Professors, we were able to scientifically establish these factors. Our company is equipped with a modern, state-of-the-art laboratory to ensure safety, hygiene and the overall health of the nation,” Narayana underscored.

In the traditional system of extracting coconut oil, the fresh coconut kernels are placed on a ‘messa’ (A mesh) and smoke induced from coconut shell charcoal is used to convert it into copra. The smoke emanating from coconut shells contain chemicals such as hydro carbons which are harmful to humans. It is these chemicals which act on the kernels and changes its color from white to brown. This process also destroys the natural goodness of coconuts, the MD explained.

“Afterwards, it is common to dump the copra in insecure places infested with cockroaches, rats and other rodents. This results in the waste of these creatures also mixing with the copra. Another threat is contamination with active germs and harmful strains of bacteria stemming from yellow and green fungus as these stocks of copra are stored for long periods of time,” he noted.

When these stocks of copra are ultimately taken to the mill, the grinding is done by a screw-type accelerator which does not separate the impurities. As copra is stored in dirty tanks for a long time it becomes oxygenated. Most of the coconut oil sold in the marketplaces is this inferior quality which has been extracted without even a semblance of quality and hygienic standards, Narayana said.

“Some organisations use caustic soda, which is detrimental to the health, to make the coconut oil they sell in glass bottles, look pure and fresh,” he warned.

Under the new technique introduced by NMK Holdings, hygienic coconut oil is produced under an entirely different process which guarantees quality, the MD noted

He said that under this technologically advanced system, raw coconut kernels are fed into the machine and initially dehydrated, channelled through a cold process and coconut oil extracted by grinding and physically refining. Without applying any chemical, the oil is refined merely through a vacuum system.

There is no room for substances harmful to the human body or germs to get into the end product. Moreover, the crucial lauric acid content, so vital for the human anatomy, remains intact under this production process, Narayana emphasised.

The modern machinery required for this purpose is manufactured by NMK Green Technologies (Pvt) Ltd. Marina Virgin coconut oil which is 100% guaranteed is produced using this machinery.

All ‘Marina’ products are hygienically manufactured under international standards in a state-of-the-art production facility with a 100% guarantee on freshness and quality. That is why the food production process has received ISO-22000, HACCP and HALAL international certifications.

The primary objective of NMK Holdings (Private) Limited is to offer products of superior quality and the highest standards and thereby contribute towards national efforts to build a healthy and vibrant nation.

For more details log on to the company’s website www.marinacookingoil.com or send an email to [email protected].