Letters in Economic Research Updates
Circular Economy Implementation in Palm Oil Biorefineries: A Systematic Review of Waste-to-Value Technologies, Resource Recovery, and Zero-Waste Production Models
Abstract
Loso Judijanto
The increasing emphasis on circular economy principles has encouraged agro-industrial sectors, including palm oil processing, to reconsider conventional linear production models and explore more resource-efficient and value- oriented systems. Within this context, palm oil biorefineries have attracted growing scholarly attention due to their substantial biomass availability and potential for integrated waste valorization. This study aims to systematically identify, categorize, and synthesize peer-reviewed evidence on how waste-to-value technologies, resource recovery strategies, and zero-waste or near-zero-waste production models contribute to the implementation of the circular economy in palm oil biorefineries. This research adopts a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach based on transparent and replicable procedures. Scientific articles were collected exclusively from the Scopus database using predefined keyword combinations and eligibility criteria. Following multi-stage screening, 34 peer-reviewed articles published between 2019 and 2025 were selected for analysis. Data were analyzed using qualitative thematic coding and comparative synthesis to identify dominant technological pathways, system-level strategies, and integration patterns reported in the literature. The results reveal five recurring thematic domains: waste-to-value conversion of solid and liquid residues, bioenergy generation and energy recovery systems, bioproduct and biomaterial development, resource efficiency and closed-loop process integration, and zero-waste or near-zero-waste production models. Collectively, these approaches demonstrate how circular economy principles are operationalized through integrated biorefinery configurations rather than isolated technological solutions. The review concludes that progressive integration of valorization and recovery strategies enables palm oil biorefineries to enhance resource efficiency, value retention, and system sustainability. Future research is recommended to focus on comparative system assessments, scalability analysis, and standardized circular performance indicators across regional contexts.