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> News > USU Chemical Engineering Students Conduct Industrial Visit to PTPN IV Rambutan Palm Oil Mill in Tebing Tinggi

USU Chemical Engineering Students Conduct Industrial Visit to PTPN IV Rambutan Palm Oil Mill in Tebing Tinggi

Published At

26 November 2025

Published By

Anonymous Writer

USU Chemical Engineering Students Conduct Industrial Visit to PTPN IV Rambutan Palm Oil Mill in Tebing Tinggi
Thumbnail USU Chemical Engineering Students Conduct Industrial Visit to PTPN IV Rambutan Palm Oil Mill in Tebing Tinggi
Students of the Undergraduate Program in Chemical Engineering at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) carried out an industrial visit to the Rambutan Palm Oil Mill (PKS) of PTPN IV, located in Tebing Tinggi, North Sumatra. Held on November 24, 2025, this activity served as a field-based learning agenda aimed at strengthening students’ competencies in understanding the palm oil–based industrial processes, which constitute a strategic sector in North Sumatra.

The group of students was accompanied by Chemical Engineering lecturer Kelvin Hadinatan, S.T., M.Sc., who facilitated the integration between the theories studied in class and the actual processes and technologies applied in the field. In his explanation, he emphasized the importance of industrial visits as an applied learning experience, considering that the palm oil industry has a complex process chain and continually developing technologies.

Upon arrival at the location, the students were welcomed by the operational team of PTPN IV Rambutan Palm Oil Mill and received a general presentation regarding the company profile, production capacity, and the standard operating procedures used in processing fresh fruit bunches (FFB). The participants were then guided through the production flow, starting from the FFB receiving station, sterilization, threshing, pressing, oil clarification, and up to the refining of final products in the form of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) and palm kernel.

In addition to the main production processes, the students also had the opportunity to learn about the wastewater management system (POME), the utilization of solid waste such as shells and fiber as boiler fuel, as well as the implementation of Occupational Health, Safety, and Environmental (OHSE) principles within the factory area. This explanation provided a comprehensive perspective on how the palm oil industry maintains process efficiency while still paying attention to sustainability aspects.

Throughout the activity, the students demonstrated high enthusiasm by actively engaging in discussions and asking questions regarding energy efficiency, process optimization, and the operational challenges faced by the factory in maintaining product quality. PTPN IV welcomed this enthusiasm and expressed hope that the visit would strengthen collaboration between industry and the academic community.

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