BOGOR, INDONESIA – 15 September 2025 – Researchers from the Center for Sustainability and Waste Management, Universitas Indonesia (CSWM UI), presented groundbreaking solutions for waste valorization at the International Conference on Innovation in Polymer Science and Technology (IPST 2025). The conference, hosted by Himpunan Polimer Indonesia (HPI), was held in conjunction with the 9th Asia-Oceania Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry.

The CSWM UI team submitted three research papers that detailed their findings on turning waste into valuable materials. One study focused on the valorization of oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB), providing a sustainable method for converting this major agricultural biowaste into useful resources. A second paper presented a comprehensive analysis of polypropylene-based multilayer plastics. This research explores their potential for creating new, high-performance materials, specifically by mixing them into lignin-based bitumen to create an asphalt mixture. The third paper showcased a thermal and morphological analysis of a biocomposite made from a combination of these low-value multilayer plastics and natural fibers, demonstrating a novel approach to upcycling waste streams.

During the conference, the research team emphasized the critical need to shift from a linear “take-make-dispose” model to a circular economy, highlighting how this new perspective enables the development of solutions that are both scientifically sound and economically viable. The innovations presented are part of a multidisciplinary grant-funded project, uniting experts from various organizations to tackle Indonesia’s complex waste challenges.

As highlighted by Professor Mochamad Chalid during his opening remarks, “Polymers offer a multitude of opportunities for us to enhance our quality of life through materials that are integral to our daily routines. Our role as researchers and academics is to bridge the gap between innovation and practical implementation within the industry.”