Circular model seen boosting Indonesia’s palm oil industry
In Indonesia, Antara reported that Indonesia’s palm oil industry could unlock higher-value products and strengthen competitiveness by adopting a circular economy model across upstream and downstream operations, according to a researcher at IPB University.
Siti Nikmatin from IPB’s Palm Oil Study Center said the approach enables waste conversion into marketable products, though implementation requires scientific expertise and technological development.
“The circular economy model can and should be applied in the palm oil industry, but it depends on knowledge and technology to implement effectively,” she said.
Palm oil is considered a zero-waste crop, she said, as nearly all parts of the plant – from fruit and kernels to fronds, empty bunches and trunks – can be processed into usable products.
Nikmatin highlighted empty fruit bunches, known as TKKS, which can be transformed into biomaterials such as helmets, bulletproof vests and footwear, the report added.
Category: Food & Agriculture
