Period

Technology in use

Reference

Before the 1980s

Purely traditional, using rudimentary tools like mortar/pistle, cutlass, axe, sticks, etc.

[4] [15]

In the 1980s

Stand-alone plants (especially the press); operated manually.

[4] [5]

Mid-80s

Caltech-type press both manual and motorized

[4] [5]

In the 90s

Semi-automation of various press designs and mechanization of other unit operations like threshing and digestion.

[10] [14]

Early 2000s

Combined motorized hydraulic machine and press systems and various other combinations of units. Emergence of prominent semi-continuous small-scale processing lines

[5] [14]

By mid 2000s

Complete integrated continuous palm oil mills with capacities mostly between 1 and 2 tons FFB per hour

[14] [28]