Advancing Circularity: Meeting with the Indonesian Ambassador in The Netherlands

Improving the circularity of oil palm trunks (OPT) is a crucial step toward promoting sustainability within the oil palm industry. SustainPalm WP2, in collaboration with WUR’s investment team, initiated a series of activities to raise awareness about the potential of OPT as a sustainable material for building, furniture, and art products. Such as stakeholder workshops and connections with companies specialized in sustainable furniture design and production. These efforts aimed to foster stronger collaboration between Indonesia and the Netherlands and integrate OPT into a circular economy framework.

On November 26, 2024, a delegation of researchers, designers, and program representatives from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and the SustainPalm Program met with the Indonesian Ambassador for the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the Indonesian Embassy in The Hague. This audience served as a formal platform to present the potential of oil palm trunks (OPT) as sustainable materials for furniture and construction, advancing efforts to transform agricultural waste into high-value resources.

The meeting featured comprehensive presentations by scientists from IPB University and Lambung Mangkurat University, who highlighted the material properties, durability, and environmental benefits of OPT. Designers showcased creative uses of OPT in high-value furniture, emphasizing its potential to contribute to economic growth while conserving the environment. Discussions explored collaboration opportunities between Indonesia and the Netherlands, focusing on knowledge exchange, market development, and policy alignment to promote OPT as a sustainable resource.

The Indonesian Embassy pledged active support for the initiative, committing to leverage its networks to raise awareness among Dutch businesses and policymakers. The Ambassador also agreed to integrate a short movie (link to the movie here) on OPT into embassy campaigns starting January 2025, further amplifying outreach efforts. The film highlights the innovative uses of OPT and showcases the circular potential of oil palm trunks. Through compelling visuals and storytelling, it illustrates how the underutilized biomass can contribute to reducing waste, fostering innovation, and supporting climate-resilient economies. This meeting marked a significant milestone in promoting OPT, aligning it with Indonesia’s sustainability goals and fostering stronger international partnerships.

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