Chemical, structural and combustion characteristics of carbonaceous products obtained by hydrothermal carbonization of palm empty fruit bunches

► Energy rich hydrochars were synthesized by HTC of palm empty fruit bunches. ► Formation of hydrochars relies on a dehydration and decarboxylation process. ► Hydrochars were characterized by FE-SEM, FTIR, BET, XRD and TGA-DTG. ► Hydrochar presented in this work has unique chemical properties. ► Potential applications of hydrochars include fuels, energy sources and adsorbents.