Jakarta (ANTARA) - A researcher at IPB University\u2019s Centre for Palm\nOil Studies, Siti Nikmatin, stated that the circular economy model can\nbe applied to the national palm oil industry from upstream to downstream\nsectors, thereby transforming waste into value-added and competitive\nproducts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe circular economy model is feasible and indeed necessary to\nimplement in the palm oil industry. How to apply it? It certainly\nrequires knowledge and technology,\u201d she said in Jakarta on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Palm oil is categorised as a zero-waste crop, she continued, with all\nparts of the palm plant\u2014from the fruit, seeds, fronds, empty bunches, to\nthe trunk\u2014able to be processed into products that meet various human\nneeds.<\/p>\n
She gave examples that empty palm fruit bunches (TKKS) can be\noptimised into biomaterial products such as helmets, bulletproof vests,\nand shoes.<\/p>\n
As a researcher, she stated that she has conducted various innovative\nstudies resulting in products based on TKKS waste.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, palm shells can be processed into various value-added\nproducts that contribute positively to the renewable energy transition.\nUtilisation of palm shells includes boiler fuel in palm oil mills,\nconcrete and building material mixtures, as well as raw materials for\nbiobriquettes and biopellets.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, what I have done to utilise empty palm fruit bunches into\nbiomaterial products is an effort to implement the circular economy\nmodel in the palm oil industry,\u201d Nikmatin said in her statement.<\/p>\n
This lecturer from the Physics Department of IPB University\u2019s Faculty\nof Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) said she received support\nfrom the Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) for research on\napplying the circular economy in the palm oil industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is concrete evidence that BPDP supports innovative research\nfor the advancement of palm oil in Indonesia. I am one of the\nresearchers who received palm oil research funding support from BPDP,\u201d\nshe said.<\/p>\n
Nikmatin emphasised that applying the circular economy model in the\npalm oil industry will have positive impacts on the environment and\neconomy. She explained that derivative products based on palm oil waste\ncan support environmental conservation while creating economic\nvalue.<\/p>\n
In addition to positive impacts on the economy and environment, the\napplication of the circular economy model also has the potential to\npositively impact the social sector, she added. The palm oil industry\ncan involve communities around mills or plantations in processing waste\ninto economically valuable products.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the company does not process everything itself, it can involve\nthe community in the palm oil plantation environment. Certainly, this\nwill bring positive impacts to the community,\u201d she said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/circular-economy-model-has-potential-for-application-in-the-palm-oil-industry-1776300642", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }