JAKARTA - The Pulp and Paper Main Centre (BBPK) is teaming up with a consortium of Japanese companies PIC Co Ltd and Taizen Co Ltd to develop pulp from palm waste.
“The synergy is carried out through a programme held by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Mechanically, the technology used by Taizen Co Ltd allows the processing of empty fruit bunches into pulp to be used by the paper and carton industry,” said Secretary of the Ministry of Industry’s Industrial Research and Development Agency Restu Yuni Widayati in an official statement, Monday (10/2).
With the partnership, said Ms Widayati, it is expected that the Indonesian pulp and paper industry will be more independent and reduce its reliance on old corrugated cardboard (OCC). In addition, the palm oil industry will also benefit from the use of palm waste without the need to process and discard the said waste.
According to the Directorate General of Plantation, as of 2019 there are 14.68 hectares of palm plantations in Indonesia with production of 51.8 million tonnes per year. With an empty fruit bunch projection of 21%-23% for every fresh fruit bunch weight unit, the palm oil industry can meet the demand for paper and carton raw material amounting to 45 million tonnes. (MS)