From Waste to Wealth: Oil Palm Trunk for Furniture and Building Materials
Improving the circularity of oil palm trunks (OPT) is a crucial step towards promoting sustainability within the oil palm industry. After their productive lifespan of about 25-20 years, oil palm trees are usually felled to make way for new crops, leaving a vast quantity of unused biomass. Typically these trunks are left to decay or are burned, contributing to waste and carbon emissions. However, recent advances in technology and processing have revealed that OPT can be repurposed into strong, stunning, and sustainable materials for furniture and construction. By utilizing this previously overlooked resource, the pressure on natural forests can be significantly reduced. Not only does this reduce forestation, but it also contributes to a circular economy, turning agricultural waste into valuable products while promoting sustainability in industries dependent on wood.
On November 27, 2024, SustainPalm WP2 in collaboration with Investment team from Wageningen University & Research hosted the workshop “From Waste to Wealth: Oil Palm Trunk for Building and Furniture Materials.” This event, organized under the SustainPalm Program and WUR, and supported by the Indonesian Embassy and Nuffic, was a key initiative to promote the sustainable use of OPT as valuable resource in the circular economy.
Bringing together 30 participants, in hybrid system, from diverse sectors, including furniture companies, building developers, architectural firms, and academic institutions, the workshop fostered dialogue on transforming agricultural waste into high-value materials.
Key highlights included presentations by researchers on the environmental and economic benefits of OPT, demonstrations of innovative furniture designs, and industry perspectives on market integration. Interactive sessions, such as a World Café, provided a platform for participants to discuss challenges and opportunities in mainstreaming OPT utilization. The workshop concluded with a networking session that facilitated connections between Indonesian smallholders, Dutch businesses, and researchers, paving the way for future collaborations.



The event successfully showcased the potential of OPT as a sustainable material while reinforcing its role in advancing circular economy principles. This milestone marks a significant step toward promoting sustainability in the oil palm industry and fostering Indonesia-Netherlands partnerships.
Exploring opportunities with Furnilux B.V.: A key step in promoting Oil Palm Trunks
On November 28, 2024, a delegation of Indonesian designers, researchers, and representatives from the SustainPalm Program visited Furnilux B.V., a leading sustainable furniture company in the Netherlands. The visit was a follow-up to the previous day’s workshop, “From Waste to Wealth: Oil Palm Trunk for Building and Furniture Materials.” The primary goal was to connect Indonesian producers with the Dutch market, leveraging Furnilux’s expertise in sustainable design and production.
The visit featured a range of activities, starting with a presentation by Furnilux representatives who shared insights into their commitment to sustainability and the growing demand for eco-friendly furniture in Europe. Indonesian delegates showcased the potential of OPT through furniture samples and prototypes, emphasizing the material’s versatility and alignment with circular economy principles. Discussions focused on potential design collaborations, supply chain integration, and strategies for entering the European market.

A tour of Furnilux’s facilities provided participants with a firsthand understanding of the company’s production processes and quality standards. The visit concluded with a networking session, where both parties expressed enthusiasm for exploring pilot projects and further material testing. This successful collaboration marks a significant step in advancing the use of OPT in high-value furniture production, fostering partnerships between Indonesia and the Netherlands.