IPB University Researchers Utilize Palm Waste as Future Fashion

IPB University researchers from the Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) developed yarns and fabrics derived from oil palm biomass. This innovation is also a challenge for the nation, because the availability of synthetic yarn, semi-synthetic and local cotton is very limited. "We want to create future fashion, not only made from cotton and synthetic yarn, but based on palm biomass," said the Head of the Research Team, Dr Siti Nikmatin. She and two members of her research team, namely Dr. Irmansyah and Bambang Hermawan, MSi are developing recycling of empty oil palm fruit bunches (TKKS) into yarn that can be used for creative fashion industry applications. This research is in the field of Biomaterials research from a research grant funded by the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS), Ministry of Finance, Republic of Indonesia. According to Dr Siti, oil palm plantations are one of the commodities that have an important role in Indonesia's economic development. Evidently, the development of oil palm plantations from year to year shows a very significant growth. Apart from taking the oil, the existence of palm oil plantations that produce waste is very important to be utilized. "The output of this research is to make fabrics from palm yarn that are adapted to fashion products," she explained. To realize the objectives of this research, the research team collaborated with several parties, including the Research and Development Center for Cellulose of the Ministry of Industry (Litbang Kemenperin) in Bandung, Partners of Small and Medium Units (UKM) PT Interstisi Material Maju in Bogor and the Farmers Group (Poktan) Manunggal Alam. in the palm oil village of PTPN VIII, Bogor Regency. In the process, the researcher and his partners have gone through various trials to get the optimum point in producing pulp, viscose rayon and yarn that can be substituted with other yarns. “This research is a challenge for countries that are concerned about producing yarns and fabrics made from living natural resources. Many developed countries such as Switzerland, Finland and Canada have conducted research like Dr Siti, and the results are still at the same point as this research," explained Rina Masriani, partner of the Research and Development Center for Cellulose at the Ministry of Industry. This research activity was visited by the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) IPB University which was held on 30/6 in Bandung. Vice Head of LPPM IPB University for Research, Prof. Sugeng Heri Suseno observed the location of the development of yarn made from palm oil waste. Responding to the problems being faced by the research team and partners, he expressed his sympathy and support. “Everything has to be done in parallel. If there is a problem, LPPM IPB University is ready to help. Because this is about the nation's problems. If we need the chancellor's help, God willing, we can convey it," said Prof Sugeng. Sumber: ipb.ac.id