Inacell: BRIN Innovation Turns Palm Oil Waste into High-Value Industrial Material
- Jun 8
- 1 min read
BRIN has developed Inacell, a microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) product derived from palm oil empty fruit bunch waste. This innovation aims to utilize the abundant solid waste from the palm oil industry while increasing its economic value. BRIN researcher Holilah explained that MCC is a controlled cellulose hydrolysis product widely used in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and coating materials. Through a processing method that removes lignin, the research team was able to produce cellulose with a content of up to 65.21% and a final lignin level of around 1%. This development is considered strategic, as Indonesia’s demand for MCC continues to grow, while imports still reach approximately 4 million kilograms per year.
Research results also show that Inacell has higher water holding capacity, oil holding capacity, and swelling index compared to commercial MCC. Its potential applications include pharmaceutical tablet materials that easily dissolve in the intestine, thickening and stabilizing agents in food products, reinforcement agents in composite materials, and oil-control ingredients in cosmetic products. To support industrial-scale production, BRIN is developing a more efficient process using organic acids with technical-grade chemical materials to reduce production costs. This innovation is expected to strengthen national industrial independence while promoting the utilization of palm oil waste into high-value products.
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