ParagonCorp and ARC USK Explore Aceh Patchouli Potential for Cosmetic Active Ingredients
ParagonCorp is strengthening its research collaboration with the Atsiri Research Center (ARC) at Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the ParagonCorp Head Office on 19 August 2026.
One of the initial focuses of this collaboration is to explore the potential of Aceh patchouli, including patchouli alcohol crystal derived from patchouli oil, as a candidate for natural active ingredients for cosmetic applications.
This collaboration brings together ARC USK’s expertise in patchouli research, essential oils, and natural materials with ParagonCorp’s cosmetic research and development capabilities.
Through this cross-disciplinary approach, both parties will examine the characteristics of the materials, potential benefits, and development opportunities for the needs of the cosmetics industry through a gradual process of research and validation.
As a purposeful beauty tech company, ParagonCorp views collaboration with educational and research institutions as an important part of building a science-based innovation ecosystem.
Innovation development is carried out not only through product development but also through research processes to understand the potential of materials, technology, and new approaches that can answer the needs of the beauty industry.
Aceh patchouli is one of the natural material potentials that is interesting to study further. Patchouli oil has long been known as one of Indonesia’s essential oil commodities, while the development of its fractions or derivatives for more specific needs still opens up research space.
In this collaboration, patchouli alcohol crystal is one of the objects that will be explored to understand its characteristics and potential application as a candidate for cosmetic active ingredients.
The development will be carried out in stages and based on data. The research includes processes to understand the characteristics of the material and evaluate its potential and relevance to the needs of cosmetic applications. Thus, every development opportunity will go through a process of scientific review and validation before further conclusions can be drawn.
“For ParagonCorp, research collaboration is one way to bring together the potential of Indonesia’s natural resources and talent with the needs of industry innovation,” said Dr Sari Chairunnisa, Sp.DVE, FINSDV, Deputy CEO and Chief R&D Officer of ParagonCorp.
She explained that through the collaboration with ARC USK, the company is studying the potential of Aceh patchouli in greater depth. Not only from the perspective of the natural material itself, but also how that potential can be understood through research and assessed for its relevance to beauty needs.
“This process is important so that every development opportunity is built on adequate data and scientific evidence,” said Sari.
ARC USK has competence in essential oil and patchouli research, including the development of knowledge related to the potential of natural materials from the Aceh region.
The collaboration with ParagonCorp provides space to bring that competence together with the perspective and development needs of the cosmetics industry, so that research results have the opportunity to be further studied towards relevant applications.
“This collaboration is an opportunity to bring together research competence developed in higher education with the needs and experience of industry,” said Head of ARC USK, Syaifullah Muhammad.
Aceh patchouli has potential that can continue to be studied from various perspectives, and we hope that the cooperation with ParagonCorp can open up more applicable research space.
At the same time, this collaboration is expected to strengthen the utilisation of Aceh patchouli’s potential through a research-based approach and open up further development opportunities.
In addition to research and development of natural material potential, the Memorandum of Understanding between ParagonCorp and ARC USK also includes room for cooperation in the fields of education, research, and community service.
This collaborative space opens opportunities for both parties to share knowledge, strengthen talent capacity, and develop activities that can support the needs of the beauty ecosystem and the utilisation of Indonesia’s natural materials.
This collaboration is in line with ParagonCorp’s steps to expand its research network with universities and research institutions.
Through cross-disciplinary partnerships, ParagonCorp seeks to carry out its role beyond creating beauty products by also contributing to strengthening the science, technology, talent, and innovation ecosystem in Indonesia.
Going forward, ParagonCorp and ARC USK will continue research to understand the potential of Aceh patchouli in greater depth.
Each research result will be part of a gradual validation process to ensure that the development of natural materials is carried out responsibly and based on scientific evidence, while opening up opportunities for innovation that can provide added value for Indonesia’s natural resource potential.