Indonesia Raya Jelajah Sains | Mengubah Limbah Menjadi Rupiah (bagian 01)

Summary

This TVRI program highlights a significant research development by Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in collaboration with palm oil industry stakeholders. The focus is on transforming palm oil boiler waste into valuable biogenic silica nanoparticles. This innovation is used in various industries, including rubber for biosneakers and as a component in eco-friendly products. The program emphasizes the positive impact of this research on sustainability, the economy, and environmental preservation, showcasing Indonesia's advanced technological capabilities in agroindustry.

Takeaways

• 🌿 The TVRI program highlights a research breakthrough by the BRIN Agroindustry Research Center, focusing on palm oil waste utilization.
• 🛢️ Palm oil is widely used for various products like candles, soap, toothpaste, and cooking oil, but this segment focuses on the waste produced from its processing.
• 💰 Palm oil waste, especially from the boiler ash, is now being converted into valuable nanobiogenic silica, used in various industries.
• 👟 Nanobiogenic silica derived from palm oil waste is being applied to create components for biosneakers, promoting sustainable materials.
• 🏭 The research is a collaboration between BRIN and multiple institutions, including universities across Indonesia, to advance palm oil industry sustainability.
• 🤝 The collaboration with PT Condong Garut is significant, as they help convert waste into eco-friendly products, turning an environmental problem into economic opportunity.
• 🧪 The innovative process extracts silica from palm oil waste with high efficiency, suitable for industries like agriculture, pharmaceuticals, footwear, and more.
• 👷 Palm oil plantations in Indonesia are massive, with 16 million hectares of plantations, highlighting the need for sustainable waste management.
• 🌱 Palm oil waste can also be repurposed into organic fertilizers, enhancing soil fertility and productivity in palm plantations.
• 🌍 Indonesia, as the largest palm oil producer globally, is at the forefront of developing circular economy practices, reducing waste, and promoting sustainable industrial growth.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the research presented in the TVRI program?

The research focuses on utilizing the waste from palm oil processing, specifically turning boiler ash from palm oil production into valuable products like nanobiosilica, which can be used in industries such as rubber, shoes, and agriculture.

What are the benefits of palm oil boiler ash mentioned in the program?

Palm oil boiler ash, which is usually considered waste, contains high levels of silica (50-60%). It can be transformed into nanobiosilica, which is valuable in several industries, such as agrokimia, paint, cement, pharmaceuticals, and footwear.

How is nanobiosilica produced from palm oil boiler ash?

The production of nanobiosilica involves multiple steps, including crushing the ash, extracting silica using an alkaline solution, gelling, purification, and drying. The process uses low energy, making it more cost-effective.

What industries can benefit from the nanobiosilica developed by BRIN?

Industries such as agrokimia, paint, cement, pharmaceuticals, and the footwear industry, particularly for making soles for biosneakers, can benefit from the nanobiosilica developed by BRIN.

Why is nanobiosilica advantageous for commercial products?

Nanobiosilica has a very small particle size and a large surface area, making it effective as an absorber for odors, colors, and moisture. It is also lightweight, making it useful for products like footwear.

What is the significance of Indonesia's palm oil industry in relation to this research?

Indonesia is the largest producer of palm oil in the world, and this research helps address the environmental issues associated with palm oil waste, turning it into a valuable resource, which supports both economic growth and environmental sustainability.

What role does PT Condong Garut play in this research collaboration?

PT Condong Garut, a palm oil plantation and processing company, collaborates with BRIN to implement the nanobiosilica production process. The company provides the boiler ash, which is used to develop the innovative product.

How does this research contribute to sustainability in the palm oil industry?

The research contributes to sustainability by transforming waste, such as palm oil boiler ash, into commercially viable products. This reduces environmental waste and promotes a circular economy by reusing by-products from the palm oil industry.

What challenges do palm oil plantations face, and how does the research address them?

Palm oil plantations produce significant amounts of waste, including boiler ash, which can cause environmental issues. This research offers a solution by converting the waste into valuable nanobiosilica, thus addressing both economic and environmental challenges.

What impact does the collaboration between BRIN and other research institutions have on the palm oil industry?

The collaboration between BRIN and over 90 research institutions across Indonesia, including ITB, IPB, and UGM, helps drive innovation in the palm oil industry, ensuring that research outputs are effectively used to improve the sustainability and profitability of palm oil production.