These are the 5 'Liquid Golds' that the World is Hunting For
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia- Tree sap is one of the oldest forest commodities traded by humans. This sap is very valuable, like gold.
Resin and latex have been industrial raw materials for hundreds of years. These products are used in various production sectors, from perfumes to manufacturing. In many tropical countries, sap tapping is still a source of income for forest communities.
Sap is formed when the tree’s tissue is damaged or infected. The chemical substances that come out of the stem function to protect the wood tissue from microorganisms. A study in the journal Forest Ecology and Management explains that resin is a biological defense system that is formed after a tree is injured or infected.
The resin is then used as an industrial raw material because of its chemically stable and easy-to-process properties. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) classifies resin as an important non-timber forest product in tropical countries.
The trade value of sap is influenced by the quality of the resin and the age of the plant. Some types of sap take years to form before they can be harvested.
- Agarwood
Sap comes from the Aquilaria tree. Resin is formed after the tree is infected with microorganisms that trigger the production of aromatic compounds.
Blanchette’s research states that the formation of agarwood resin is a biological response to fungal infections that attack wood tissue.
The resin that is formed contains complex aromatic compounds. These compounds are raw materials for perfumes and incense. Agarwood has been an international trading commodity for centuries. The Southeast Asian region is the main center for world agarwood production. Tropical forests provide a natural habitat for Aquilaria trees.
The formation of resin takes a long time. Some trees take decades before producing high-quality agarwood. The limited supply is what makes the price of agarwood reach high levels in the international market.
- Damar
Damar comes from the Dipterocarpaceae and Agathis families. Tapping is done by injuring the stem so that the sap slowly comes out. The hardened resin is collected in the form of yellowish crystals. Damar is used as a raw material for varnish and wood coatings because of its water-resistant properties.
Damar resin contains terpenoid compounds that provide natural adhesive properties. The World Food Organization (FAO) states that damar is one of the important non-timber forest commodities for the economies of tropical regions.
The paint and wood coating industry is the main user of natural damar. Damar production itself depends on the availability of natural forests and tapping techniques.
- Frankincense
Usually known for its mystical atmosphere and its soothing fragrance, frankincense sap comes from the Styrax tree. The resin is collected by tapping the tree trunk.
The hardened sap produces an aromatic material known as benzoin.
The journal Industrial Crops and Products explains that benzoin is used in perfumes, pharmaceuticals and food additives. Frankincense trade has been recorded since ancient times as a high-value aromatic material.
Some of the production comes from the tropical forests of Sumatra and the Southeast Asian region. Frankincense farmers’ income depends on the quality of the resin produced, with production systems usually carried out traditionally.
- Pine
Still with wood that is closely related to fragrance, pine resin is an important raw material for the chemical industry. Pine sap is processed into turpentine and rosin which are used in various industrial products. Pine resin is an important source of industrial chemicals.
The production process is carried out by tapping the tree trunk. The sap will flow after the bark of the stem is injured. Pine derivatives are used in industrial adhesives and surface coatings. Pine resin production is spread across various countries including Indonesia. Production volume depends on the area of forest plantations.
- Rubber, Modern Industrial Sap
Rubber latex comes from the Hevea brasiliensis tree. This white liquid is collected by tapping the tree trunk. Latex is processed into natural rubber which is used in various industrial products. Natural rubber is used as the main material for the vehicle tire industry. World rubber production is concentrated in tropical regions including Indonesia and other Asian countries.
The productivity of rubber plants is influenced by the age of the plant and the climate. The demand for rubber follows the development of the automotive industry. Tree sap remains an important commodity in the trade of natural raw materials. The chemical and manufacturing industries still use resin and latex in large quantities.
Non-timber forest products provide income for communities in tropical forest areas. Sap production is expected to continue as long as the demand for natural raw materials remains high.
CNBC Indonesia Research
(emb/emb)