Vital Coconut Development Unit
October first 2014 Vital's Coconut Development Unit (FSM Petrocorp) acquired the former FSM coconut development authority.
Under the capable leadership of Peni Drodrolagi, the unit is processing 5000 to
6000 coconuts on a weekly basis. This yields 1000 kg of copra.
The unit
has a 70% conversion rate to coconut oil, thus about 700 kg of oil is
produced, about 140 gallons, and 300 kg of coconut meal.
The former is sold to Pohnpei Utility Corporation for use in power generation, the latter is sold wholesale to retailers who resell it as pig feed.
Plans are in place to scale up to handling 20,000 coconuts (per week if I understood correctly), quadrupling output.
The plant also produces soap using caustic soda and oil - sodium hydroxide also known as lye. The soap is wholesaled to stores.
At present the bulk of the coconuts come from the outer islands via the Voyager, providing much needed income to outer islanders.
Smaller bars are produced for resorts and hotels who place them in the bathroom as complimentary soap for guests. The hotel soaps often have custom made labels unique to each hotel.
Vital CDU is strongly supportive of local entrepreneurs by remaining firmly a wholesale operation, there are no retail sales. Body and soap are sold wholesale to local retailers who then sell the products on to their customers.
My thanks to Peni Drodrolagi, Vital, and the employees of the Vital CDU who took the time to show my class around their operation. The professionalism and the production levels were very impressive for both the class and myself.
Jake and Kevina listen to Peni
The former is sold to Pohnpei Utility Corporation for use in power generation, the latter is sold wholesale to retailers who resell it as pig feed.
Plans are in place to scale up to handling 20,000 coconuts (per week if I understood correctly), quadrupling output.
The plant also produces soap using caustic soda and oil - sodium hydroxide also known as lye. The soap is wholesaled to stores.
At present the bulk of the coconuts come from the outer islands via the Voyager, providing much needed income to outer islanders.
Smaller bars are produced for resorts and hotels who place them in the bathroom as complimentary soap for guests. The hotel soaps often have custom made labels unique to each hotel.
Vital CDU is strongly supportive of local entrepreneurs by remaining firmly a wholesale operation, there are no retail sales. Body and soap are sold wholesale to local retailers who then sell the products on to their customers.
My thanks to Peni Drodrolagi, Vital, and the employees of the Vital CDU who took the time to show my class around their operation. The professionalism and the production levels were very impressive for both the class and myself.
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