On Wednesday, 23 July 2025, HIMKI held a strategic meeting with the National Research and Innovation Agency’s (BRIN) Center for Biomass and Bioproducts Research (PRBB) in Cibinong. This meeting marked an important step in building science based collaboration to support the future of Indonesia’s furniture and creative industries.
The activity is a crucial part of the implementation of the Cooperation Journey (PKS), with a special focus on technological innovations for utilizing rattan biomass. The discussion was not only relevant for the furniture sector, but also opened perspectives on the potential use of rattan as an interior component in the automotive industry.
Exploring Technological Innovation for Rattan Biomass
The main agenda of the meeting was to discuss how rattan biomass can be processed and optimized through technology so that it can become a high value raw material. Topics explored included:
- Opportunities to develop rattan based bioproducts for furniture
- Potential applications of rattan biomass in automotive interiors
- Innovation pathways that combine material science, design, and sustainable production
By engaging directly with PRBB BRIN, HIMKI aims to ensure that the furniture industry does not only rely on traditional processing methods, but also begins to adopt research based innovations.
HIMKI Delegations and BRIN: Learning Together in Cibinong
The meeting was attended by HIMKI delegations from DPD Cirebon Raya and DPD Bandung Raya. They were accompanied by Deazy Rachmi Trisatya S.Hut. from PRBB BRIN, who guided the group through a series of knowledge sharing sessions and facility visits.
Beyond the formal discussions, this visit provided a valuable opportunity for industry players to better understand the scientific foundations behind biomass and bioproduct development. It also strengthened the relationship between the local furniture industry and the national research ecosystem.
Visiting the Kehati Building and Xylarium: Understanding Diversity and Conservation
As part of the program, the delegation visited the scientific collections at the Kehati Building within the Soekarno Science and Technology Area. One of the important learning points was at the Xylarium, a specialized collection that showcases the diversity of Indonesian wood and rattan species.
In this session, participants gained deeper insights about:
- The richness of Indonesia’s wood and rattan species
- The crucial role of seed banks for conservation and future resource availability
- The importance of documentation and scientific collections as references for industry and research
The visit highlighted that innovation in the furniture industry must go hand in hand with conservation and sustainable resource management.
Rattan Potential for Furniture and Beyond
Throughout the visit and discussions, participants showed strong enthusiasm in exploring the potential of rattan for their furniture businesses. Rattan was seen not only as a traditional material for classic furniture, but also as:
- A flexible natural material for modern and ergonomic designs
- A promising candidate for engineered materials in interior applications
- A sustainable alternative in line with global demand for environmentally friendly products
The idea of using rattan as an automotive interior component also opened new horizons. With the right processing technology and research support, rattan biomass could become part of the next generation of bio-based materials in various industries.
Building Strong Synergy between Industry and Research
The main goal of this meeting was to build strong synergy between the local furniture industry and BRIN as the national research institution. Through this collaboration, HIMKI hopes to:
- Gain access to research, testing, and innovation related to biomass and bioproducts
- Encourage industry players to adopt sustainable and science based approaches
- Develop new rattan based products that have higher added value and global competitiveness
By connecting industry needs with research capabilities, both parties can move together in developing solutions that are not only commercially attractive but also environmentally responsible.
Toward a Sustainable, Creative, and Competitive Future
HIMKI believes that collaboration with BRIN will open broader opportunities for innovation, especially in positioning rattan as a sustainable and environmentally friendly raw material. This aligns with the global trend that increasingly values eco-friendly materials and circular economy principles.
In the long run, this initiative is expected to:
- Support the advancement of Indonesia’s creative industries
- Strengthen the image of Indonesian rattan as a world class material
- Ensure that industrial growth goes hand in hand with conservation and sustainability
The meeting in Cibinong is not the final destination, but an important milestone in a longer journey of cooperation. With continuous collaboration between HIMKI, BRIN, and other stakeholders, rattan biomass has the potential to become a key pillar in the industry of the future.
