Unnes Researcher Utilises Leaf Waste to Create Natural Dye Substances
Semarang (ANTARA) - Researchers from Universitas Negeri Semarang (Unnes) are utilising leaf waste from various plants around the campus to produce natural dyes that can be used for textile colouring.
The research results were exhibited at the event “Dissemination of Ecoprint Fabric and Its Diversification Based on Local Plants and Natural Dyes” at the Central Java Industry and Trade Office (Disperindag), Semarang, on Tuesday.
The research team coordinator, Widowati, M.Pd, explained that Unnes, as a conservation campus, has abundant leaf waste that can be utilised as natural dyes, such as from mahogany and ketapang trees.
“There is so much leaf waste. Unnes is a conservation campus. So, I use the leaf waste available there,” said the lecturer in Fashion Design Education (S1) at the Faculty of Engineering, Unnes.
“Their difficulty is that natural dyes are limited, and the colours easily fade, for example. As academics, we research to make the colours sharper, more durable, and varied,” she added.
She acknowledged that products like clothing using natural dyes are indeed more expensive than synthetic dyes, but demand from overseas consumers is very high.
Prof Margareta Rahayuningsih, the event committee chair, stated that university research results must be downstreamed and disseminated to have a broad impact on society.
“This event is a dissemination of a series of natural dye research activities that have been ongoing for several years,” said the Chair of the Green Techno Park Cluster at Unnes’ Institute for Research and Community Service.
The dissemination event was funded by the Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP) through the Unnes EQUITY Programme 2025/2026, and in collaboration with the Central Java Provincial Industry and Trade Office.
In addition to the exhibition, there was a fashion show featuring clothing made with natural dyes, as well as a discussion with speakers from the Ministry of Investment/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).
Meanwhile, Omah Sawah Programme Manager Dania Sindy said they have been collaborating with Unnes for about four years in utilising natural dyes.
The community located on the slopes of Mount Ungaran uses natural dyes for various products, such as batik and ecoprint, and also provides education to the public, school students, and foreign university students.
“Incidentally, Omah Sawah is based on social and conservation movements. So, a percentage of the sales proceeds from products using natural dyes is used for conservation,” she said.